Gluten Free Vegan Living

You have just been diagnosed with Celiac Disease or Gluten Intolerance.  A great relief to finally find out what is wrong with you, but what do you do now?

Living Without magazine (one of the best magazines on the market for information on Gluten Intolerance, Celiac Disease, and food allergies in general) recently published an article (with video) on the subject.  Written by Jules E. Dowler Shepard, the article lists Ten “Most-Do’s for Newly Diagnosed Celiacs”.  Following are some highlights from the article.

1.Understand Your Disease.  Make a point to learn all you can about your condition. Read recently published books written by acknowledged experts and turn to websites run by national celiac organizations, noted celiac research centers and trusted publications. …

2. Build a Medical Team.  Consult with a doctor and nutritionist who specialize in celiac disease. …

3. Join a Support Group.  Chances are there is a celiac support group within short driving distance from where you live or work. …

4. Check Your Pantry.  This step includes cleaning or replacing the items in your kitchen where gluten contamination can occur: scratched pans, the toaster, your food mill and breadmaker, etc. Do the homework to truly understand cross contamination, gluten-containing ingredients and food labeling, so that your kitchen becomes a safe haven that you can rely on for tasty, uncontaminated foods. (Go to Living Without‘s Quick Start Guide to the gluten-free diet.) …

6. Dust Off Your Apron.  Even if you’ve never baked from scratch, consider doing it now. Despite all the new gluten-free products available, many just don’t taste like the foods you remember. …

7. Buy a Bread Maker.  A good bread machine can be your new best friend. …

8. Patronize Local Businesses.  You’ll feel better once you figure out the dining spots in your town that serve safe foods. …

9. Don’t Settle.  Just because you are now eating gluten free doesn’t mean that you don’t have the right to enjoy delicious meals. …

10. Exhale.  Relax. It’s going to be all right. Your diagnosis is a life sentence, not a death sentence. You’ve been handed the opportunity to largely control your health by what you choose to put into your body. Without a  prescription, you can heal yourself simply by taking charge and changing a few of your foods. Now don’t you feel better already?

As usual, Jules lists some wonderful tips for newly diagnosed celiacs!

Personally, I was very fortunate that the naturopathic doctor that diagnosed me was married to the gal than owned the local health food store in my town.  Between the two of them (and my own research), I learned tons about the disease, what foods were safe to eat and how to prepare them.  In my experiences point #1, 2, 3, 4 & 8 were the most important tips to follow!

Which tips helped you the most??