What Beginners Need to Know About Living Gluten-Free

    2022-06-1206/12/22   
Cooking  Disease  Nutrition  

Changing your diet can be challenging because it usually involves removing certain types of food from your menu. And that is the first point of resistance. But there are significant health benefits to eliminating or minimizing specific foods from your diet-particularly those that contain gluten.

Do you know that over 45 million Americans went on a diet last year?

The main reason behind this was to lose weight. However, more people considered changing eating habits to improve their health.

For example, gluten.

What Is Gluten?

Gluten is a name for proteins found in grains like wheat, barley, triticale, and rye. Gluten occurs naturally in foods, but it can be extracted.

Gluten makes food hold its shape and acts like glue. When you mix it with water, it creates sticky consistency in making bread, pasta, or baking.

Why Go Gluten-Free?

If gluten occurs naturally in certain foods, you may ask why to go gluten-free. The most common reason why you may not eat gluten is that you have an allergic reaction to it. You may suffer from celiac disease.

This condition affects around 1% of the population and it has severe consequences on your health. Your body mistakenly considers gluten as a foreign object, and it wants to remove it. And your body does it by attacking the gluten, ultimately harming your gut wall and your intestines.

Another reason why you may decide to not eat gluten is that you have gluten sensitivity. Because gluten can cause inflammation in your digestive system, you may experience discomfort.

You may feel "heavy" in your body, have stomach pain, or bloating as well as a restriction in your bowel movement.

How to Start Gluten-Free Living?

Starting a gluten-free diet does not need to be hard. Simply follow the steps below to a more healthy living.  It may require some learning and persistence to begin with, but it will get easier with time.

1. Gluten or No Gluten

Your first step is to learn what foods you need to avoid and what foods are okay to eat. Keep in mind that gluten occurs naturally in certain grains.

You can find gluten in:

  • Wheat
  • Barley
  • Rye
  • Triticale
  • Malt
  • Brewer's yeast

In addition, any varieties and forms of wheat should be excluded from your diet, too. This includes spelt, durum, kamut, semolina, couscous, bulgur, emmer, farina, farro, and einkorn.

Although you may not eat the grains in their natural form, watch out for products that are made of gluten-containing ingredients. Those will include:

  • All wheat-based products such as bread, pasta, and bread crumbs
  • Baked goods where wheat flour was added such as cakes, muffins, and pizza base
  • Pre-packaged snacks
  • Store-bought sauces, marinades and salad dressings
  • Flavored beverages and beer
  • Other foods like broth

Don't worry, there are plenty of gluten-free foods.

The rule of thumb is that foods in their natural form, unprocessed, and without added gluten-containing flavorings are safe to eat. Therefore vegetables, fruits, dairy products, fish, and meats can be added to a gluten-free diet.

Certain grains and flours are gluten-free naturally and also can be a part of your new diet. Some of the gluten-free grains and flours are rice, corn, quinoa, millet, buckwheat, flax, chia, soy, arrowroot, amaranth, tapioca, potato, cassava, yucca, and coconut and nut flours.

2. Read Labels

The best way to make sure that you follow a healthy diet is to read labels. Understanding what are the main gluten-containing foods and their by-products is a key here.

To make the task easier, look for foods certified as gluten-free. Certification, from an organization such as Gluten-Free Certification Organization (GFCO), is a good indicator that the food is gluten-free.

Some products may not have gluten-free certification, but they may carry a gluten-free label administrated by the FDA.

However, the way a product is manufactured and the list of ingredients changes constantly; therefore, it is best to read the labels every time you shop.

3. Check for Cross-Contamination

Knowing what foods to eat and reading labels will assist further with checking if there is any cross-contamination. A certain product may be gluten-free, but it may have been manufactured in a factory where other non-gluten-free products have also been made.

At home, any cross-contamination can happen if you use the same equipment such as knives, chopping boards, strainers, or toasters for gluten-free and non-gluten-free cooking.

You may need to invest in separate cooking utensils and equipment as well as products. If your cooking oil was used to deep fry foods that contain gluten, there is a risk of cross-contamination.

4. Plan Ahead

Planning ahead about what you will eat can save you a lot of heartaches. If you are going out to a restaurant, you may want to check their menu ahead to know if there are gluten-free options available.

And if you are planning on family dinner, you may want to tell your host in advance that you are on a new healthy diet. Bringing your own gluten-free foods such as pasta, sauce, or bread can help you to enjoy the time together.

5. Have Fun

Regardless of the diet you are on, you still should have some fun. So, you may ask, how do you cook gluten-free foods? It's easy!

The foods you will most likely add to your diet will be whole foods. You will cook more vegetables, raw fish or meat. You can simply add fresh herbs to enhance their flavor.

However, you need to take special care when making gluten-free bread, pasta, or cakes. Anywhere where you will normally add wheat, there will be no "glue" that holds the mixture together. You will need to replace it with another ingredient that will give you that sticky consistency.

Are You Ready for Gluten-Free Living?

You find gluten in certain grains such as wheat, rye, or barley, as well as in many wheat products such as bread, pasta, or cakes. However, it has never been easier to go gluten-free.

To start your gluten-free living, look for foods that contain gluten and remove them from your diet. There are plenty of gluten-free options to choose from such as vegetables, fruit, fish, or meat.

If you are ready to begin a gluten-free diet, we're here to help!

headshot of Jay Todtenbier 2018
Author

Jay Todtenbier is an original founder of SupplementRelief.com in 2010 and has operated the business ever since. He is also a tennis instructor and gospel musician. Formerly he spent 25 years in business development, technology and marketing with startups and major corporations having gone through the tech boom in Silicon Valley in the 90s. He became passionate about, and began studying and practicing Wellness as a Lifestyle after experiencing chronic, personal health challenges including depression, auto-immune disorders, and being overweight that impacted his ability to live a healthy, vibrant life. Since then, he has been an advocate for healthier living encouraging others to live better through making small, gradual changes to lifestyle behaviors relating to whole-foods nutrition, stress management, reasonable exercise, proper sleep, and the use of targeted, high-quality supplements.

Learn more about Jay Todtenbier.

  Related Content

We encourage you to take advantage of these FREE Wellness Resources on our website.


modern grocery store with gluten free and dairy free foods on the outer isles

Help for Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free Living

Eliminating or minimizing Gluten and Dairy from your diet isn't necessary for everyone but some certainly benefit from making these lifestyle changes. Regardless, we all benefit from eating more natural, whole foods and less processed foods. Learn more about gluten-free and dairy-free nutrition options and take advantage of the educational resources, shopping list, and recipes.


gluten free

So What's The Big Deal About Gluten?

Is Gluten Bad? Gluten just is. The problem is, it generally is not being used in the correct proportions any more. So let's take a moment to explore what gluten really is.


lower female abdomen depicting celiac disease

Understanding Celiac Disease and the Relationship to Gluten Sensitivity

Celiac disease occurs for some people who have a problem processing gluten, which is a protein found in many foods. The gluten triggers an immune response that is not normal and damages the inside of the small intestine. Once that happens it is difficult to absorb the nutrients needed from the foods eaten.


an assortment of fresh, healthy foods suitable for inclusion in a rotation diet

Using a Rotation Diet

Our modern diets contain foods our bodies react badly to. We eat on the go and have an abundance of convenience and processed foods at our fingertips.

Using a rotation diet is a great way to find out which foods you are intolerant to. It can also be a great way to lose some excess pounds.


whole foods vegetables on display

Whole Foods Plant-Based (WFPB) Diet

How many times have you jumped on-board the diet train with high hopes of weight loss and improved health, only to discover limited food choices, difficulty staying on-track, and few measurable health benefits? Diet fads come and go, but one - the whole foods, plant-based diet (WFPB)- isn't a fad.

  • Blog Post

    Do you know that over 45 million Americans went on a diet last year?

    The main reason behind this was to lose weight. However, more people considered changing eating habits to improve their health.

    For example, gluten.

    What Is Gluten?

    Gluten is a name for proteins found in grains like wheat, barley, triticale, and rye. Gluten occurs naturally in foods, but it can be extracted.

    Gluten makes food hold its shape and acts like glue. When you mix it with water, it creates sticky consistency in making bread, pasta, or baking.

    Why Go Gluten-Free?

    If gluten occurs naturally in certain foods, you may ask why to go gluten-free. The most common reason why you may not eat gluten is that you have an allergic reaction to it. You may suffer from celiac disease.

    This condition affects around 1% of the population and it has severe consequences on your health. Your body mistakenly considers gluten as a foreign object, and it wants to remove it. And your body does it by attacking the gluten, ultimately harming your gut wall and your intestines.

    Another reason why you may decide to not eat gluten is that you have gluten sensitivity. Because gluten can cause inflammation in your digestive system, you may experience discomfort.

    You may feel "heavy" in your body, have stomach pain, or bloating as well as a restriction in your bowel movement.

    How to Start Gluten-Free Living?

    Starting a gluten-free diet does not need to be hard. Simply follow the steps below to a more healthy living.  It may require some learning and persistence to begin with, but it will get easier with time.

    1. Gluten or No Gluten

    Your first step is to learn what foods you need to avoid and what foods are okay to eat. Keep in mind that gluten occurs naturally in certain grains.

    You can find gluten in:

    • Wheat
    • Barley
    • Rye
    • Triticale
    • Malt
    • Brewer's yeast

    In addition, any varieties and forms of wheat should be excluded from your diet, too. This includes spelt, durum, kamut, semolina, couscous, bulgur, emmer, farina, farro, and einkorn.

    Although you may not eat the grains in their natural form, watch out for products that are made of gluten-containing ingredients. Those will include:

    • All wheat-based products such as bread, pasta, and bread crumbs
    • Baked goods where wheat flour was added such as cakes, muffins, and pizza base
    • Pre-packaged snacks
    • Store-bought sauces, marinades and salad dressings
    • Flavored beverages and beer
    • Other foods like broth

    Don't worry, there are plenty of gluten-free foods.

    The rule of thumb is that foods in their natural form, unprocessed, and without added gluten-containing flavorings are safe to eat. Therefore vegetables, fruits, dairy products, fish, and meats can be added to a gluten-free diet.

    Certain grains and flours are gluten-free naturally and also can be a part of your new diet. Some of the gluten-free grains and flours are rice, corn, quinoa, millet, buckwheat, flax, chia, soy, arrowroot, amaranth, tapioca, potato, cassava, yucca, and coconut and nut flours.

    2. Read Labels

    The best way to make sure that you follow a healthy diet is to read labels. Understanding what are the main gluten-containing foods and their by-products is a key here.

    To make the task easier, look for foods certified as gluten-free. Certification, from an organization such as Gluten-Free Certification Organization (GFCO), is a good indicator that the food is gluten-free.

    Some products may not have gluten-free certification, but they may carry a gluten-free label administrated by the FDA.

    However, the way a product is manufactured and the list of ingredients changes constantly; therefore, it is best to read the labels every time you shop.

    3. Check for Cross-Contamination

    Knowing what foods to eat and reading labels will assist further with checking if there is any cross-contamination. A certain product may be gluten-free, but it may have been manufactured in a factory where other non-gluten-free products have also been made.

    At home, any cross-contamination can happen if you use the same equipment such as knives, chopping boards, strainers, or toasters for gluten-free and non-gluten-free cooking.

    You may need to invest in separate cooking utensils and equipment as well as products. If your cooking oil was used to deep fry foods that contain gluten, there is a risk of cross-contamination.

    4. Plan Ahead

    Planning ahead about what you will eat can save you a lot of heartaches. If you are going out to a restaurant, you may want to check their menu ahead to know if there are gluten-free options available.

    And if you are planning on family dinner, you may want to tell your host in advance that you are on a new healthy diet. Bringing your own gluten-free foods such as pasta, sauce, or bread can help you to enjoy the time together.

    5. Have Fun

    Regardless of the diet you are on, you still should have some fun. So, you may ask, how do you cook gluten-free foods? It's easy!

    The foods you will most likely add to your diet will be whole foods. You will cook more vegetables, raw fish or meat. You can simply add fresh herbs to enhance their flavor.

    However, you need to take special care when making gluten-free bread, pasta, or cakes. Anywhere where you will normally add wheat, there will be no "glue" that holds the mixture together. You will need to replace it with another ingredient that will give you that sticky consistency.

    Are You Ready for Gluten-Free Living?

    You find gluten in certain grains such as wheat, rye, or barley, as well as in many wheat products such as bread, pasta, or cakes. However, it has never been easier to go gluten-free.

    To start your gluten-free living, look for foods that contain gluten and remove them from your diet. There are plenty of gluten-free options to choose from such as vegetables, fruit, fish, or meat.

    If you are ready to begin a gluten-free diet, we're here to help!

    headshot of Jay Todtenbier 2018
    Author

    Jay Todtenbier is an original founder of SupplementRelief.com in 2010 and has operated the business ever since. He is also a tennis instructor and gospel musician. Formerly he spent 25 years in business development, technology and marketing with startups and major corporations having gone through the tech boom in Silicon Valley in the 90s. He became passionate about, and began studying and practicing Wellness as a Lifestyle after experiencing chronic, personal health challenges including depression, auto-immune disorders, and being overweight that impacted his ability to live a healthy, vibrant life. Since then, he has been an advocate for healthier living encouraging others to live better through making small, gradual changes to lifestyle behaviors relating to whole-foods nutrition, stress management, reasonable exercise, proper sleep, and the use of targeted, high-quality supplements.

    Learn more about Jay Todtenbier.

  • Related Content

      Related Content

    We encourage you to take advantage of these FREE Wellness Resources on our website.


    modern grocery store with gluten free and dairy free foods on the outer isles

    Help for Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free Living

    Eliminating or minimizing Gluten and Dairy from your diet isn't necessary for everyone but some certainly benefit from making these lifestyle changes. Regardless, we all benefit from eating more natural, whole foods and less processed foods. Learn more about gluten-free and dairy-free nutrition options and take advantage of the educational resources, shopping list, and recipes.


    gluten free

    So What's The Big Deal About Gluten?

    Is Gluten Bad? Gluten just is. The problem is, it generally is not being used in the correct proportions any more. So let's take a moment to explore what gluten really is.


    lower female abdomen depicting celiac disease

    Understanding Celiac Disease and the Relationship to Gluten Sensitivity

    Celiac disease occurs for some people who have a problem processing gluten, which is a protein found in many foods. The gluten triggers an immune response that is not normal and damages the inside of the small intestine. Once that happens it is difficult to absorb the nutrients needed from the foods eaten.


    an assortment of fresh, healthy foods suitable for inclusion in a rotation diet

    Using a Rotation Diet

    Our modern diets contain foods our bodies react badly to. We eat on the go and have an abundance of convenience and processed foods at our fingertips.

    Using a rotation diet is a great way to find out which foods you are intolerant to. It can also be a great way to lose some excess pounds.


    whole foods vegetables on display

    Whole Foods Plant-Based (WFPB) Diet

    How many times have you jumped on-board the diet train with high hopes of weight loss and improved health, only to discover limited food choices, difficulty staying on-track, and few measurable health benefits? Diet fads come and go, but one - the whole foods, plant-based diet (WFPB)- isn't a fad.


The information, knowledge, and experience shared on this website is the opinion of SupplementRelief.com. This site and its content is intended to enhance your knowledge base as YOU MAKE YOUR OWN HEALTHCARE DECISIONS in partnership with your qualified health professional. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Any products referred to are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

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