Going gluten-free may seem difficult at first, especially if you regularly eat fast food and
processed food. However, if you already eat a whole foods diet, it’s
not that difficult. Many gluten-free resources are available today, some of which are listed on my
website.
Sources of Gluten
- Wheat
- Spelt
- Barley
- Kamut
- Rye
- Oats (except from a gluten-free oat farm)
Foods suspected to cross-react with gluten (the immune system recognizes them as gluten)
- Casein (milk protein)
- Corn
- Oats (including gluten-free)
- Some brands of instant coffee
Hidden sources of gluten
- Modified food starch
- Food emulsifiers
- Food stabilizers
- Artificial food coloring
- Malt extract
- Dextrins
- Clarifying agents in some red wines
Commonly overlooked sources of gluten
- Processed condiments (ketchup, mustard, salad dressing)
- Deli meats
- Beer
- Soy sauce
- Imitation crab meat
- Shampoos
Going gluten-free can be as simple as avoiding processed and fast foods, eating a diet of meats,
vegetables, fruits, and using gluten-free condiments. If you have a confirmed gluten sensitivity
and feel going gluten-free is too difficult, it is time to close out of this guide and realize your
brain has no chance, as you will continue to get worse.
You should also know there is no such thing as being “90 percent gluten free” or “pretty good,”
or “almost gluten-free.” It is like saying you are 90 percent pregnant. You either are or you are
not. If you are emotionally attached to gluten, you need to get over it and get serious to protect
the health of your brain.
Getting serious means learning how to incorporate a gluten-free diet and gluten-free products
into your lifestyle. It means when you eat out you cannot always trust the server or the chef, and
you must stick to meat and vegetable dishes without heavy or processed sauces. It also means
you must be patient and committed if family members give you a hard time at holiday
gatherings. It can be challenging until you find your safe snacks, meals, and restaurants, and you
often may need to prepare food in advance to bring along instead of eating out. Once you figure
out your new routine, it becomes easier and easier. As you become established in your gluten free lifestyle, you will get to the point where you don’t even miss it.
Most people who react to gluten notice a change in their well-being within a week of adopting a
gluten-free diet, though some will take longer. It may take several weeks or even months for the
immune response to gluten to calm down, which is why cheating or small exposures can
sabotage the entire program. “Just a bite” triggers a domino-effect immune response that can
last for long periods of time, so please be strict.
To learn more, download my free guide Gluten and the Brain.