Quick Tips for Saying No to Food with Gluten

By now we may already know that Celiac disease is a disease in which the small intestine is hypersensitive to gluten. This hypersensitivity can lead to difficulty in digesting food and can cause damage to your small intestines. So, avoiding the foods which cause harm to your body is very important in maintaining good health. However, actually saying “no” to gluten may prove more challenging than expected.

Here are a few quick tips you can use to say no to gluten, to ensure you can feel good about what is going into your body.

Make Your Diet Restrictions Clear

More and more folks are starting to understand that Celiac disease is very common (affecting 1 in 100 people worldwide). Due to the rise in awareness around gluten, gluten-free foods have become a common topic of conversation among restaurants and grocery stores, so letting the people around you know should not feel awkward or weird. Because gluten is a protein found in foods that contain wheat, barley or rye, you’ll want your family, friends and hosts to know that avoiding foods which contain these ingredients is non-negotiable. Be very clear about your diet restrictions, and never waver. Be prepared to explain what Celiac disease and gluten intolerance is.

Thankfully, many restaurants and grocery stores are offering alternatives to help make your food selections a little less complicated.

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Opt for Alternatives

One way to say no is to simply choose alternative foods. These foods include: fruits and vegetables, meat and poultry, dairy, beans and nuts, and fish and seafood. It is a common misconception that all starches contain gluten, but that is not true. People living with Celiac disease can enjoy some starches such as: rice, potatoes, corn, soy and quinoa. It is important that you always double check the list of ingredients before you eat.

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Don’t Make a Big Deal Out of It

Remember when there were NO choices for gluten free bread and it all tasted really bad? Yeah, we do, too. Many people mistakenly think that gluten free is taste free, but that is simply not the case. One way to say no to gluten is to simply not make a big deal out of it. Having friends or family over for dinner? You can most likely serve gluten free without anyone knowing.

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No matter what your social situation, there are ways to say no to gluten. The important thing is to stay true to your food choices, never waver, and feel good knowing that delicious alternatives are popping up all over the place. Keeping a positive attitude towards your disease and your diet will prove to be the best way to say no.

Looking for delicious gluten free alternatives? Find Three Bakers products near you!