Gluten-Free Starter Guide

When you’re new to the gluten-free diet, first you need to learn the rules of the diet that will keep you safe – no wheat, barley or rye.

- Emily Freedner

Once you start to get comfortable with the rules of the diet and the fact that all natural produce, meats, fish and most dairy products are naturally gluten-free, you turn your attention to finding safe packaged products. This food group is usually the more challenging transition. Often the most frustration comes from having to replace products you consume often with gluten-free alternatives that don’t leave you missing your old favorites. Luckily there are so many delicious products on the market now that it just takes some experimentation to find new staples.

Now that I’m very comfortable with the diet and the products that are available, one of my favorite things to do is to make gluten-free starter kits for friends and acquaintances that are newly diagnosed. Receiving a ready-made trial kit relieves a bit of the initial guess work and can be so appreciated by someone that may be feeling confused or overwhelmed. Whether you’re new to the diet yourself or wishing to do this for a friend of your own, choosing a variety of items from this starter guide will get any newbie off to a delicious and healthy start!

BREAKFAST FOODS