Tips and Tricks when being Gluten-Free

I’ve been gluten-free for over 8 years now, and below are some of the things I have learnt by trial and error. There have been many mistakes over the years, but my hope in telling you about them is that you can avoid them before you make them too.

As time goes on, I’ll keep this list updated with even more tips and tricks. Hopefully, it’ll grow into the ultimate go-to guide for anyone navigating the gluten-free life! Stay tuned and gluten-free!

1. Always keep some gluten-free snacks on hand🫒. You never know when you might be little peckish and can’t find anything gluten-free.
2. Read labels 🏷️ carefully. Look for ingredients in bold as these are usually the allergens. Coeliacs also need to avoid may contain but some people are more sensitive than others.
3. Some food packets labeled sugar free look very similar to gluten free packets. Keep your eyes 👓 peeled.
4. Embrace your cooking side. Since going gluten free I have been cooking far more than I used to and I used to cook a lot. At least this way you can control what’s in your dish 🍽️.
5. Be as vigilant as possible when it comes to cross-contamination. Make sure you use separate utensils and appliances, such as toasters 🍞.
6. Stock up on staples like pasta, rice 🍚 and snacks. Try and keep a good amount of anything with a long shelf life in your cupboards.
7. Unfortunately you are not going to be able to be as spontaneous as you might usually be. So planning ahead is usually essential when dining out 🛎️.
8. I found it so helpful in learning about different foods and nutrition. It has helped me try and maintain a healthy balanced ⚖️ diet.
9. When travelling 🚗, always keep some snacks with you. I store some in my toddler’s nappy bag and some in the car. That way, I always have some on hand if needed.
10. Always cook shop brand pasta🍝 one minute less than the instructions say. If not it will fall apart and won’t resemble pasta at all. Also make sure you keep stirring it for at least 30 seconds after putting it into the boiling water. This stops it from sticking.
11. Don’t just shop down the gluten-free aisle. Prices are sometimes as much as four times the price so look down other aisles as well and see if you can find products that are naturally gluten-free.
12. Gluten-free takeaways are hit or miss, and plans can change last minute. Keep frozen GF meals, pasta, or soup on hand for quick dinners.
13. Whether online or in person, connecting with others makes life easier. They’ll share product recommendations, restaurant tips, and make you feel less alone in the struggle.
14. Mistakes happen, and so do flare-ups. If you get accidentally glutened, rest, hydrate, and give your body time to recover. You’re doing your best, and that’s what matters!
15. Some products state “May contain traces of gluten.” While this usually means cross-contamination rather than a direct ingredient, it’s safest to avoid them unless the brand confirms they’re coeliac-safe.
16. Apps like Find Me Gluten Free or Coeliac UK’s Gluten-Free Food Checker can help find safe places to eat or shop. Although they aren’t exactly 100% perfect they are good as a guide and can be really helpful.
17. The illustration clearly shows wooden utensils, and some of you eagle-eyed spotters have very correctly mentioned that you shouldn’t use wooden spoons in case of cross-contamination. I obviously did this on purpose to see how many of you had been paying attention 😉.

I think the biggest plus of being on a gluten-free diet is unleashing my inner chef. It’s been such a joy exploring new dishes, and there are countless recipes that can be easily adapted. Sure, there have been a few spectacular fails, but also some truly amazing culinary triumphs. 🍳