A healthy, well balanced diet is the best option for anyone. Just because you’ve cut out gluten doesn’t mean you no longer have to worry about calories, sodium and fat in the other foods you’re eating.

Gluten is a protein found in barley, rye and wheat. It’s what gives food its elasticity. As awareness has grown regarding Celiac and gluten intolerance so has the occurrence of gluten free products on the market. This makes a gluten free diet as easy to follow as a regular grain diet. However, you may find that gluten free products are a lot more expensive.

When choosing to follow a gluten free diet remember to create a healthy diet with a good balance of protein, carbohydrates and healthy fats. Protein can come from lean red meat, chicken, fish, eggs or beans which are all gluten free. Fruit and vegetables contain no gluten and should be eaten daily. Not all grains contain gluten so you don’t have to cut out grain all together. You will be able to eat brown rice, wild rice, quinoa, millet and spelt. Unless you have other intolerances, dairy products are fine to eat on a gluten free diet.

When shopping for gluten free food always read the labels. Even food that is labelled gluten free may contain some gluten. Packaging standards allow the label gluten free to be put on products that contain safe levels of gluten so products may not be completely gluten free.

Along with products containing barley, wheat and rye, red food dye also contains gluten so foods with that colour dye should also be avoided. Be weary of processed foods and ready made meals since gluten is often used in food additives as a stabiliser or thicken.

You can still enjoy all the things you love on a gluten free diet but it may take more research and time for you to find or prepare them. There are plenty of gluten free baking recipes out there and you can find recipes online or in gluten free cook books. Many grocery or health food stores are also selling gluten free cakes, breads and snacks. Shop around until you find the treats you like.