Is a Gluten-Free Diet Actually Healthy Tips for a
Healthy Gluten-Free Diet

Featured blog post by guest blogger, Brittany Angell, of www.realsustenance.com and author of "Essential Gluten Free Baking Guides Part 1 & 2". 

You went gluten free potentially for a number of reasons. You heard it was healthier, you found out you have celiac, gluten intolerance, IBS or a number of other health issues that living gluten free may remedy. 

Walking into your local grocery store as I once did, you may begin to throw anything that is labeled gluten free into your shopping cart.  If it's gluten free- it must be healthy!  Right??  Wrong!   This false assumption is often made.  

Watch Out for Gluten-Free Junk Food!

Gluten free products, just like any other product on the grocery store shelves can be junk food that is laden with white refined sugars, flours and starches.  These processed foods are bad news for diabetics and can add pounds to just about anyone’s waistline.  Removing gluten from a product is wonderful- it makes like easier on our digestive system. However, removing gluten does not mean empty calories have also been removed.  Keep your healthy senses in tack and don’t forget to read those labels. Following a gluten-free diet can be extremely healthy, but it's up to you to make good choices. 

8 Tips for Eating Healthy on a Gluten Free Diet:

• Opt for gluten free whole grains rather than white: brown rice, millet, amaranth, quinoa, buckwheat and gluten free oats are a better choice.
   
• Be cautious of sugar, its in everything! Try picking up some whole grain gluten free flours and making your own desserts with a low glycemic sweetener such as Coconut Palm Sugar. Recipes can be found in abundance online.
   
• Shop the perimeter of your grocery store- fresh fruit and veggies are always gluten free and one of the most important parts of our diets.
   
• Raw nuts and seeds are loaded with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. They are an important addition to a balanced diet. For high protein, low carb baking try using almond flour.
   
• Protein is the key to good health. It balances blood sugar and will help keep you full longer. Seek out foods and snacks high in it.
   
• Seek out local and or organic meat- free of hormones.
   
• Cook with healthy fats such as coconut, olive and avocado oil.
   
• Limit your intake of processed foods. Learn to cook using whole living ingredients.
   
• Take a gluten-free multivitamin supplement with B-Complex and a calcium and vitamin D3 supplement each day.
  
   

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