Simple Start to the Gluten-Free Diet

WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF GLUTEN-FREE LIVING!

A gluten-free diet is full of fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, poultry, nuts, seeds, oils, and milk products.
There are plenty of gluten-free grains and starches to eat, such as rice, potato, sweet potato, corn, and many others.
There are also many commercial gluten-free products to replace the usual American staples of bread, bagels, cereals, pasta, crackers, and baking mixes, etc.
You will want to avoid any food made with or containing:
- Wheat
- Barley
- Rye
- Malt
- Brewer's yeast
- Oats(unless oats are specially produced labeled gluten-free oats). For info on oats, please visit page 11 of Following the Gluten-Free Diet.
Buy only those grain and grain products that are labeled "gluten-free" because of the possibility of cross contamination with the gluten-containing grains listed above. ¹

Click here for a 15-page Gluten-Free Diet guide.

food

TIPS TO GET STARTED:

Find a support group in your area. The national support groups have listings of groups all across the country. Make an appointment with a registered dietitian skilled in celiac disease. A dietitian can help you learn to read labels carefully, look for the hidden gluten sources in your diet and help you plan a healthy diet.

TAKE HOME MESSAGES:

There are many, many foods which are naturally gluten-free and safe to eat.
Remove the obvious gluten-containing foods first. Stock your kitchen with safe foods. Keep a pen and paper handy to write down new foods you like.
Stay connected! Talk to your doctor, your dietitian, and other people with celiac disease who can support you in your new, healthy diet and lifestyle.

RESOURCES TO GET YOU STARTED:

References:

Thompson T, Lee AR. Gluten contamination of grains, seeds, and flours in the United States: a pilot study. JADA, 2010,110(6):937-940.

Revision Date: 11-2-12
Author: Melinda Dennis, MS, RD, LDN
Editors: Anne Lee, MSEd, RD, LD and Daniel Leffler, MD, MS

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