So, you’ve made the decision to go gluten-free (GF)? While this lifestyle is pretty common nowadays, it doesn’t mean it’s easy. You’ll need to do some homework to ensure you stay on track.
The first order of business is to avoid any food containing wheat, barley, rye or triticale. This means that most grain products, baked goods, pastas, cereals, crackers, cookies and snack foods are off-limits.
You’ll also have to become a religious label checker. You may be surprised to find some form of wheat or gluten in favorite foods, like frozen French fries, imitation fish, soups, sauces and beer. For this reason, you will have to become familiar with the names synonymous with gluten. These include wheat starch, modified food starch, wheat bran, wheat germ, cracked wheat, bulgur, couscous, farina, malt and malt flavoring, graham flour, durum flour, semolina, einkorn, emmer, farro, kamut and spelt.
Now that you know what to avoid, what foods should you embrace? Vegetables, fruits, beans, nuts, meat, poultry, fish, dairy products and gluten-free whole grains are your best
bets. There is actually a surprising amount of gluten-free breads, baked goods and pastas on the market.
The good news is you can still eat out at many restaurants, with proper planning. Be sure to inform your server about your dietary needs. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about ingredients. You can also easily find gluten-free dining options, thanks to a variety of mobile phone apps. This makes planning even easier.
And, Mannatech’s products are gluten-free! Going gluten-free is easier than ever, thanks to new food on the market and increased awareness about this condition. You may be surprised by how many other people are demanding GF options.