How to Go Gluten Free

Going gluten free can seem overwhelming, but it doesn’t need to be.  Looking back at our journey, it is actually quite easy once you get your mind into it.  Here are 5 tips and pitfalls to avoid.

1.  Don’t swap gluten for starches and sugar.  Too many people make this mistake.  Yes, gluten is a problem, but if the gut is having trouble digesting gluten, white starches and sugar are not a good nutritional replacement. Both starches and sugars are hard for a gut to digest if it is damaged by wheat. If you must have options,  Mary’s Gone Crackers  is one of the best gluten-free companies out there that has great tasting products that are made from Quinoa flax, millet and other more nutritious options.   Pamela’s Baking & Pancake Mix makes the best pancakes (and has almond meal and real cultured buttermilk) for those who cannot give up this breakfast treat.

2. Use Probiotics!- Probiotics rebalance the gut bacteria to healthy levels (80% good).  This is the essential step in going gluten-free!  The gut balance will be off if someone has been consuming wheat and the body cannot digest it. Undigested wheat proteins can cause a ton of damage in the gut lining (leaky gut) and actually weaken the absorption of any foods.
This great probiotic works wonders with healing the gut lining and increasing the healthy gut bacteria- Body Ecology’s CocoBiotic 

Another great way to heal the gut is with Inner Eco Wild Berry Coconut Water Kefir.  

Healing the gut is one of the most important things, because the gut is so damaged from the gluten that the body is not absorbing nutrients, so other deficiencies and problems start occurring.  This is exactly why people who have gluten problems have many different symptoms from lethargy, to hair loss, excema, infertility, arthritis, etc. – they have different deficiencies.

3.  Eat Raw Veggies– Raw veggies provide the fiber the body needs along with the obvious nutritional benefit.  Plus since most people have deficiencies, it is important to bulk up on high density nutrient foods like veggies.

4.  Get to know Fish Oil– The body has to have healthy fats to carry the nutrients to the brain.  Remember our brain is mostly fatty tissue and our bodies need essential fatty acids to move the fat soluble nutrients into our bodies. Eating wheat can cause malabsorption, so by taking fish oils you will start to feel better faster since your body will be assimilating nutrients much more efficiently. Fish oils also help with inflammation (another thing that can be caused by eating wheat for those who are sensitive).  Some of the best brands I have found are Carlson and Barlean’s Organic Kid’s Flavor

5.  Take a deep breath– I forget this sometimes too, but remember it is a journey and health is the goal.   Whether you or someone you love has celiac disease (commonly misspelled as celiacs disease) or is allergic to wheat or gluten the best attitude is one of support and fun.  (Perhaps most importantly fun.)  Allow yourself to have fun on the journey by trying new inventive sweet recipes like frozen bananas rolled in chocolate peanut butter.  Let your imagination go~

Here are some gluten-free recipes and other ideas to get you started.

Happy eating,

Summer Joy