Navigating the grocery store for gluten-free food can be overwhelming at first, which is why   I want to help make your life easier.

Altering one’s diet to become gluten-free can be difficult, especially at first. Below are a few things that will help improve your gluten-free shopping experience:

  • Beware of hidden ingredients! Gluten takes many forms and can be hidden deep in a product’s ingredient list. Obvious indicators of gluten are phrases like “wheat flour”, “wheat protein”, and “whole grain oats.” More subtle references include barely, malt, and brewer’s yeast.
  • Check packaging. The certified gluten-free stamp, usually denoted by “GF” inside a circle, is a sign of safe foods. If you have serious gluten allergies, this is a clear marker of something you can eat.
  • Carefully research alcohol. Some distilled drinks and grain-derived beverages are safe, while others are not. Hard cider and wine are always safe, as is champagne, which means you have an excuse to always be the classy person drinking bubbly.
  • Sample, sample, sample. Gluten-free food is expensive, which means you want your money to be well spent. Try different brands to determine personal preferences. If you’re experiencing frustration with all the things you can’t eat, realize this can also help to reintroduce enjoyment and excitement into mealtimes.
  • A blessing with the curse. Stripping away gluten from a diet often reveals how reliant we are on wheat-based products, and may initially induce a sense of withdrawal and longing for forbidden food. However, eliminating it can also be a chance to refresh one’s diet with healthier choices. Use this time to explore new dishes, and incorporate more fruits and vegetables into your meals. Over time old cravings will subside and be replaced according to the makeup of your new diet, so value this adaptation time and act wisely. You’ll be impressed with how much better you feel!

What makes shopping with food allergies easier for you?

More From New Jersey 101.5 FM