Brown Bag Organics: The Gluten-Free 'craze' is here to stay!

 

 In celebration of "National Gluten-Free Day"..., here's a post about gluten-free living: 

Let’s face it- the Gluten Free “craze’ is here to stay. And those of us who have lived and eaten and thrived on the gluten-free diet for years will say, “I told you so!” Because once you have had digestive problems or suffered from years of having doctors tell you that there is nothing to do but take pills, then the idea of eating any other way is not feasible.

 No Obstacles to eating Gluten Free!

There is no mystery about eating gluten-free these days. And because the amount of GF food in supermarkets and at restaurants has, thankfully, increased to the point where it’s easy to obtain, then there are no huge obstacles in eating gluten-free. And even when traveling, most places in the states and abroad will be able to accommodate a traveler who eats gluten-free.

 Some Helpful Hints: 

There are a few easy hints to follow when you are committed to planning a gluten-free lifestyle.

·         Plan your menus ahead

·         Realize that there are some foods that are not going to be gluten-free

·         Know your limits-for what you can expect and how you deal with it!

·         Also, realize that if there are some things you cannot eat that are made with gluten, there may be other restrictions that you need to be mindful of (You may be allergic to other things too!)

·         Finally, be flexible if you cannot find a suitable dinner...settle for sides and salads!

 

There are so many ways to learn more about eating and cooking gluten-free. And if you are not a great cook, or don’t have a lot of time, here’s a hint. I started going to health-food stores over 25 years ago. Now, with the advent of large chains, there is great food that’s ‘grab’n’go’ at these stores as well as in their deli section.

 Some mainstays to try...

You can never go wrong with grilled chicken or salads. These are a few of my mainstays as I go through the week. Stir fry is your friend, as well as rice. And even desserts are available, with gluten-free cookies and crackers to help stem the tide of hunger.

 When I first started this diet, there were few options for bread or for other department store staples. But with the advent of the super-stores, there are entire sections devoted to specialty diets.

 Along with expanding the grocery aisles, there are plenty of online sites that will help you to navigate the gluten-free way. The NationalCeliac.org site is for those who are strictly gluten-free, with no room for slip ups that could cause life-threatening reactions. But there are many sites that have sections for simply delicious gluten-free foods. Southern Living and Betty Crocker are two well-known websites to peruse when you are shopping for good GF recipes.

 Strictly Gluten-Free

Our Brown Bag magazine is “Strictly Gluten-Free’ and is found on Flipboard. In it you will find recipes from NationalCeliac.org as well as Health, Self, America’s Test Kitchen, Gluten-Free Girl, Celiac Chicks, No Gluten, No Problem & Delightfully Gluten Free. There are over 50 top sites listed that will give you sauces & desserts & entrees, as well as cookbooks like ‘The Gluten-Free Bible” and others that will get you started on your journey.

 Be thankful that we are light years ahead in terms of knowledge of diet and nutrition from the age when I first began experiencing stomach issues decades ago. And I have since learned that more people than we may think have experienced issues surrounding gluten and eating other wheat products.

To conclude, there is so much more that we know about digestion and nutrition in the 21st Century. And with that knowledge, there is a consensus opinion that affirms what we started this piece with: Gluten-Free living is here to stay!

Don't forget to sign up for "Gluten-Freebies" each month in your in box!