Healthy Gluten-Free Foods

17. Cross-Contamination risks

The golden rule in strict gluten-free diets is to check labels and ask the experts and manufacturers. Knowledge is power, so familiarize yourself with the ingredients and scenarios you need to avoid, including buffets and potential hidden sources of gluten such as food coloring, emulsifiers, and stabilizers that extend shelf life. When you're new to a gluten-free diet, you may want to eat at home, where you can figure things out as you go.

Use toaster bags if you share appliances, rinse your beans and rice adequately, and use separate utensils for family food preparation and serving. Pay attention to warnings such as "manufactured in a facility that processes wheat..." and avoid purchasing pantry items from bulk bins at the grocery store where customers may mix up scoops.

The bottom line

Humans are adaptable. So, even though you may initially resist the change, you'll reach a point where choosing gluten-free foods becomes second nature. A GF diet can be delicious and open up new ways for you to be healthy and live a high quality of life. You'll soon have a greater awareness of and appreciation for your food than the average person, and that can only be a positive.