Unfortunately, many of us struggle with different dietary issues. Sometimes it’s a choice but other times it’s not which makes it that much more unpleasant. Having to change your diet due to your body not accepting certain foods can be frustrating but necessary.
Luckily, when it comes to gluten free diets there is still a way for you to enjoy the things you love such as a gluten free beer option for those who don’t want to give up beer. If you’re looking into crossing over to a gluten free diet, you’ll be interested in the five facts we’ll be going through today so keep reading.
What is a Gluten Free Diet?
Let’s start off with what gluten is in order to fully understand that concept of gluten free food. Gluten is found in wheat and rye which is part of a food group we all eat. When mixed with flour and water, gluten makes a sticky texture which is why gluten means ‘glue’ in Italian.
Now, this ingredient can make people feel uncomfortable after consuming a food that contains it so this is why there are gluten free options out there. This will help people who suffer from celiac disease which is a severe condition that can cause extreme pain in the stomach when gluten is eaten.
Gluten free food is when gluten is completely removed from the food. This type of food is for anyone who suffers with a gluten allergy.
Benefits of a Gluten Free Diet
If you’re thinking of switching over to a gluten free diet, you may want to know some of the benefits. This is because it can be a good lifestyle change to make even if you don’t suffer from a gluten issue.
Being gluten free can help with digestive symptoms as gluten can also make people suffer from constipation, fatigue and gas. Removing gluten from your diet will also help with weight loss, relief from celiac disease and can help boost your overall energy.
Choosing to change to a gluten free diet isn’t just an option for those that suffer from the effects of gluten but for those that just want to live a healthier lifestyle overall.
What Foods to Avoid
When changing your diet to gluten free, you need to know exactly what you can and eat. This will help you buy the correct foods when you go grocery shopping. It can be a bit confusing at first but with some research you can make a list of foods that are gluten free.
Here is a list of some of the foods you’ll need to avoid:
- Sauces such as soy sauce, salad dressing, and hoisin sauce
- Bread
- Pasta
- Baked goods
- Snacks such as crackers, chips, and muesli bars
- Beer
Of course, it would be a good idea to check all the labels of the foods you purchase to see if they contain gluten.
Food You Can Eat
After reading the foods to avoid you can feel as if there is nothing left for you to eat. But don’t worry as there are plenty of gluten free alternatives that don’t contain gluten.
Here are the foods you can eat:
- Dairy products
- Eggs
- Meat and fish
- Grains such as quinoa, corn, and buckwheat
- Nuts
- Most beverages
As stated at the beginning of this article, beer does contain gluten, but you can get gluten free beer which will be great for those who don’t want to stop drinking beer. It’s also available at most bars and restaurants. You can enjoy a bottle of gluten free beer so you don’t have to experience negative side effects.
More Helpful Tips
To help make sure you’re not overwhelmed during this new health journey you’re thinking of starting, here are some helpful tips to make sure you stick to it.
Plan ahead when you can. This is important as it can help you figure what to avoid eating when you go out. You should also do this if you need to travel to other countries.
Another tip is to bring your own food to events. Or request that the host of the event provide gluten free beer and snacks for you to eat.
Final Thoughts
Our bodies need certain foods and nutrients to function. However, sometimes it’s not what you want. It can be hard to change your diet just because your body disagrees with some of your favourite foods. It’s better to make the changes needed to maintain a better lifestyle though.
Listening to your body is the best thing you can do when it comes to staying healthy. Choosing a gluten free diet doesn’t mean you can’t have the foods you love. It simply means that you have to make a decision and be aware of what you eat. Consider the tips in this article to help you with your gluten free diet.
