I’m always getting questions from people who are desperate. They’re just sick of being sick. They’ve probably just gotten a diagnosis of Celiac Disease, been handed a pamphlet by the Doctor and escorted out the door with a quick ‘good luck’ and left on their own. Suddenly discovering that there are 1,000’s of foods they can’t eat is traumatic enough…add to that after 6 months of restrictive eating they still often feel sick…and it’s enough to make anyone desperate.
People simply want to feel better. That’s not so hard to understand. But what people need to remember is that the first step is to heal the damage that’s already been done and if that took years to happen it might take time to repair. So be patient with yourself…you can do this.
Sometimes the best thing to do is to stop a moment, take a step back and begin again with a slower approach. Yes, you want the Gluten out of your life – but it's not going to happen overnight. Give yourself a little time. I normally ask people to dedicate the first 6 weeks to just cleaning up their diet. Go back to basics. Instead of lamenting over what you can’t eat…why not focus on what you can.
This is a list of ‘beginner’ foods, things that are good for the body, pretty easy to digest and a great place to start. Use your common sense. If something makes you sick, don’t eat it. If you have a hard time digesting food try soups and soft cooked foods at first. Remember the goal is to give your intestines a break…not create more work. There is nothing processed - if it comes in a can or box just put it back on the shelf. Do most of your shopping around the outer edges of the grocery store. Fresh or frozen is great…but make certain there are no ‘added’ ingredients. If you’re drinking juices…add an equal amount of filtered water. Stay away from the sugar…that’s a simple rule many of us should follow. If you like your coffee or tea, just remember to make it a bit weaker for a while.
Allspice
Almond butter
Almond milk
Almond oil
Almonds
Anchovies
Apple Cider
Apples
Apricots
Artichokes
Asiago cheese
Asparagus
Aspartame
Avocadoes
Avocado oil
Bacon
Baking soda
Bananas
Bay Leaf
Basil
Beef
Beets
Berries
Black beans
Black radish
Blue cheese
Bok Choy
Bourbon
Brazil nuts
Brick cheese
Brie cheese
Broccoli
Brussell sprout
Butter
Cabbage
Camembert
Canola oil
Cantaloupe
Capers
Carrots
Cashews
Cauliflower
Celery Root
Celery
Chard
Cheddar
Cherries
Chestnuts
Cilantro
Cinnamon
Club soda
Coconut
Coconut milk
Coconut oil
Coffee
Collard greens
Colby cheese
Corn oil
Courgette
Cranberry
Cucumbers
Custard apple
Dates
Cottage Cheese
Echinacea
Edam cheese
Eggplant
Eggs
Filberts
Figs
Fish
Flax seed oil
Fowl
Garlic
Gelatin
Ghee
Gin
Ginger
Gorgonzola
Gouda cheese
Grape juice
Grapefruit
Grapes
Grapeseed oil
Green tea
Gruyere
Ham
Haricot beans
Havarti cheese
Hazelnuts
Honey
Jalapenos
Kale
Kidney beans
Kimchi
Kiwi fruit
Kumquats
Lamb
Leek
Lecithin
Lemons
Lentils
Lettuce
Lima beans
Limburger
Limes
Macadamia
Macadamia oil
Manchego Cheese
Mangoes
Mead
Meats
Melon
Monterey Jack
Muenster
Mushrooms
Mustard
Navy beans
Nectarines
Nutmeg
Olive oil
Olives
Onions
Orange juice
Oranges
Oregano
Papayas
Paprika
Parmesan
Parsley
Passion Fruit
Peaches
Peanut butter
Peanut Oil
Peanuts
Pears
Peas
Pecans
Peppermint tea
Peppers
Persimmons
Pickles (dill)
Pine nuts
Pineapple
Pistachio nuts
Plums
Pork
Pork Rinds
Poultry
Provolone
Prunes
Pumpkin
Raisins
Rhubarb
Romano
Roquefort
Rosemary
Rutabaga
Saccharine
Safflower oil
Sage
Salt
Sashimi
Saurkraut
Scotch whisky
Sesame oil
Shellfish
Spearmint Tea
Spices
Spinach
Split peas
Squash
Stilton cheese
String beans
Sunflower oil
Swede
Swiss cheese
Tabasco sauce
Tangerines
Tarragon
Tea
Thyme
Tomato juice
Tomatoes
Vanillin
Vinegar
Vodka
Walnuts
Walnut oil
Wasabi
Water chestnut
Watercress
Watermelon
Wine
Yoghurt
Zucchini
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