When moving from a gluten filled diet to a gluten free diet, I think this is where you should start.

First off, don’t buy a whole bunch of gluten free flours, breads, or sauces. They are very expensive and you will be disappointed. Gluten free foods do not taste like their gluten counterparts. Textures and flavors are very different in gluten free foods. And these replacements are often twice the price for half the size. Save money for a while and just skip it.

Second, do shop the perimeter of the grocery store. Enjoy fresh fruits and vegetables, beans, rice, polenta, quinoa, plain proteins and seafood, eggs, and dairy products. It may be a major adjustment your cooking style. Know that this is the healthiest and cheapest way to be gluten free.

Third, when in the center of the grocery store, only purchase certified gluten free foods for the first six months. Purchasing certified gluten free foods ensures gluten free products without having to read labels or guess. This is a learning process and eventually you will have confidence reading labels, but initially, certified gluten free only.

Fourth, have a “glutened” kit for yourself.  You will get glutened.  All of us do.  Have a kit to help with whatever your symptoms are.  Vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, fatigue, migraines, body aches, and others are all common symptoms.  Have a kit of what makes you feel better.  Your favorite blanket and PJ’s, medicine, rehydration, heating pads, or whatever it is, make sure it is fully stocked and ready for the inevitable.

Finally, it will likely take at least a year to get the gluten free diet right.  You aren’t setting yourself back to ground zero when you make a mistake.  Think of celiac healing and getting the gluten free diet like  wound healing.  There is a cut.  It bleeds and eventually a scab forms.  If you peel off the scab, the whole healing process doesn’t start at the beginning.  The body works to create a new scab and then keep healing the underlying cut.