Menu Close All About Me Living With Celiac Resources Helpful Links Grocery Store Finds Trader Joe's Stop & Shop Skincare and Makeup Restaurant Recommendations (blog) Recipes Helpful Links Food and Product Guides: Find me Gluten Free – the best resource for gluten free restaurants in any location!: www.findmeglutenfree.com Skin Safe – my go-to site for checking if beauty products are gluten free: www.skinsafeproducts.com Gluten Free Food List: Safe Gluten-Free Food List (Safe Ingredients) - Celiac.com Instagram: @eatglutenfreewithme – my Instagram page! @eatwithoutworry.tag @philhatesgluten @nycbutglutenfree National Organizations: Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE): FoodAllergy.org FARE Teen Advisory Group (TAG) – I am a member!: Teen Advisory Group - FoodAllergy.org Celiac Disease Foundation: www.celiac.org National Celiac Association: www.nationalceliac.org National Celiac Association Raising Our Celiac Kids (ROCK): www.nationalceliac.org/raising-our-celiac-kids-rock/ Beyond Celiac: www.beyondceliac.org Medical Resources: Pediatric Gastroenterology - Atlantic Medical Group Pediatric Gastroenterology & Nutrition - Atlantic Health Center for Celiac Research and Treatment – Mass General Patient Resources for the Center for Celiac Research and Treatment – Mass General

Menu Close All About Me Living With Celiac Resources Helpful Links Grocery Store Finds Trader Joe's Stop & Shop Skincare and Makeup Restaurant Recommendations (blog) Recipes All About Me Hi, my name is Alex. I'm 17 years old and from northern New Jersey. I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease shortly after I turned three, so I've been living most of my life gluten free. I decided to create Eat Gluten Free with Me as a way to help others with Celiac learn to safely eat and live gluten free. I'm the oldest of three girls and I run track for my high school. I love to hang out with my friends, go shopping, practice sports, ski, go to the beach, and so many other things. This website is a guide for how I am able to do all of these things while being gluten free! In the summer before I was diagnosed with Celiac, I had frequent stomach pain and occasional vomiting. At first, the doctors thought I had a stomach bug, but the symptoms persisted. I was given a blood test, which came back with markers for Celiac. I then had an endoscopy that confirmed the diagnosis. Ever since then I've been living gluten free. Now I want to help others make an easier adjustment to having Celiac Disease. Because I've been gluten free for most of my life, I consider myself somewhat an expert now, but in the beginning, it was much more difficult. Because of my age at the time, my parents had to learn what was safe for me to eat, the best brands to buy, and how to avoid cross contamination, which was a huge and overwhelming task. The purpose of this website is to share my experiences and the ways I've learned to handle my diet and still live a normal and happy life -- in the hopes of making the adjustment to being gluten free easier and less intimidating for others. In this website I will include a general guide to safely eating gluten free, my guides to my favorite restaurants near me and in every place that I travel to, the best gluten-free items to buy at the grocery store, using safe skincare and makeup, and my own recipes for my favorite homemade gluten-free foods. I will also share other reference materials and update you on what I've been doing to advocate on behalf of people with Celiac Disease and gluten/wheat allergies. Disclaimer: This website is not intended as medical advice

Menu Close All About Me Living With Celiac Resources Helpful Links Grocery Store Finds Trader Joe's Stop & Shop Skincare and Makeup Restaurant Recommendations (blog) Recipes Grocery Store Finds Trader Joe's Finds Stop & Shop Finds One of the most difficult parts of navigating Celiac is knowing what gluten-free food to buy. Gluten-free food has a reputation for being not as good as regular food, but if you know what to buy, gluten-free food can be delicious. I have had Celiac long enough that I have figured out all of the best gluten-free foods, from pasta, to cookies, to snacks. This section will help newly diagnosed Celiac patients and anyone else who is gluten free to find the best gluten-free foods in the grocery store Here are some of my favorite staples that you can find at most grocery stores: Gluten-Free Substitutes All purpose flour: Cup4Cup Multipurpose Gluten Free Flour or Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free 1 to 1 Baking Flour Pasta: Barilla Gluten Free Pasta or Jovial Gluten Free Pasta Pretzels: Snyders of Hanover Gluten Free Pretzels or Glutino Pretzels Rolls: Schaar's Gluten Free Ciabatta Rolls and Baguettes Crackers: Lots of great brands, my favorites are Milton's Gluten Free Baked Crackers, KAME Rice Crackers, Schaar's Entertainment crackers, Lance Gluten Free Baked Crackers Cookies: Tate's Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies, Gluten Free Oreos Naturally Gluten-Free Grocery Staples There are so many naturally gluten-free staples available at every grocery store. All foods like fruits, vegetables, and meat are all naturally gluten free. Of course, if the meat you buy is processed or has a seasoning it is important to make sure it is still gluten free. Staples like rice, beans, corn tortillas are naturally gluten free as well. Lots of snacks like corn chips, potato chips, popcorn, and more are almost always gluten free. Similarly, most dairy products like milk, cheese, cream cheese, yogurt, and butter are all naturally gluten free. But again, it always important to check the labels and be aware of any additional ingredients that may contain gluten. For example, most ice cream is naturally gluten free, but some flavors contain cookies, pretzels, or other wheat containing ingredients. There are many gluten-free options at every grocery store, but the most important thing to remember is to always check the labels.

Menu Close All About Me Living With Celiac Resources Helpful Links Grocery Store Finds Trader Joe's Stop & Shop Skincare and Makeup Restaurant Recommendations (blog) Recipes Skincare/Makeup Something you might not even consider after becoming gluten free is that your makeup, haircare, and skincare may also contain gluten. Because I have had Celiac for so long, I have gotten good at managing gluten-free self-care products. However, for most people who are new to a gluten-free lifestyle, this may seem like a daunting task. While most makeup, skincare, and haircare products don’t contain gluten, I always choose to be safe and research my products before I use them. It’s usually relatively easy to tell when a food contains or may contain gluten, but makeup, skincare, and haircare products are very different. If you read the ingredient list for most of these products, you will typically be met with a massive list of chemicals that you’ve never heard of, making it very difficult to know whether the product contains gluten. For finding gluten-free products I have been very reliant on SkinSafe , which was developed by the Mayo Clinic. By downloading the SkinSafe App, or just looking at the website, you can search for makeup, skincare, or hair care products. SkinSafe has data on most common products, so I can usually find whatever product I’m looking for. Once you click on the product, you are provided with a list of information about it. If the product is gluten free, a gluten-free label will be provided in the information. I have relied on SkinSafe to check all of my products, and have never had a reaction to anything that I have used. It’s possible that SkinSafe might not have the product that you’re looking for. In that case, SkinSafe is also a great place to find out whether the ingredients in that product are gluten free. Although it may be more time consuming, you can always search each ingredient of the product on SkinSafe to guarantee that it contains no gluten ingredients. Here are a couple of links to lists of gluten containing ingredients commonly found in skin and beauty products: National Celiac Association , Beyond Celiac , Vanicream . Below is a list of my favorite products: This is what SkinSafe looks like. If the green gluten-free icon is listed underneath the product, I consider it safe to use. Skincare -Cerave Moisturizing Cream -Cerave Eye Repair Cream -Cetaphil Face Wash, Daily Facial Cleanser Makeup -ILIA Skin Serum Foundation -Tarte Shape Tape Ultra Creamy Concealer -Kosas Revealer Concealer -Rare Beauty Warm Wishes Effortless Bronzer Stick -Rhode Pocket Blush -Rare Beauty Stay Vulnerable Melting Blush -Rare Beauty Positive Light Liquid Luminizer Highlight -Milk Makeup Cream Highlighter -Kosas Air Brow -Benefit Cosmetics Benetint Liquid Lip Blush & Cheek Tint -Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat Lip Liner -Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm -Laneige Lip Glowy Balm -L'Oreal Paris Telescopic Mascara -Ilia Limitless Lash Mascara Haircare -Dae Shampoo Signature Gently Cleanses And Hydrate -Dae Conditioner -Amika The Kure Bond Repair Shampoo -Amika The Kure Bond Repair Conditioner -Dae 3-In-1 Styling Cream, Cactus Fruit -Amika Intense Moisture Leave-In Conditioner, Hydro Rush -Amika Soulfood Nourishing Mask -Dove Bond Strength Shampoo, Peptide Complex -Dove Intensive Repair Conditioner -Garnier Fructis Pure Clean Shampoo -Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Smoothing Conditioner

Menu Close All About Me Living With Celiac Resources Helpful Links Grocery Store Finds Trader Joe's Stop & Shop Skincare and Makeup Restaurant Recommendations (blog) Recipes Trader Joe's Finds If you ask me, Trader Joe's has the best gluten-free options out of every grocery store near me. They have breakfast foods, desserts, dinners, and more. Pretty much everything that I eat I can get from Trader Joe's. I have yet to find another store with as wide of a variety of gluten-free options as Trader Joe's. Here is my list of favorites: Breakfast Dinner Desserts Breakfast Gluten Free Double Chocolate Muffins I'm starting off with the Gluten-Free Double Chocolate muffins because they are my absolute favorite thing from Trader Joe's. These muffins are delicious and make for the perfect breakfast. If you are not a chocolate person, Trader Joe's also makes these muffins in Blueberry, Cinnamon Coffee Cake, and Pumpkin Streusel. I've tried all of them, and none of them have disappointed me (but the chocolate is still my favorite)! Gluten Free Almost Everything Bagels The Trader Joe's Almost Everything Bagels are a perfect way to start your morning. They're delicious and super flavorful. These bagels also come in plain, and pumpkin spice (in the fall). I prefer these bagels toasted and I like them with butter or cream cheese, depending on my mood. If you choose to buy the plain bagels, but are looking for more flavor, Trader Joe's also makes an Everything But the Bagel Seasoning, which is delicious as well. Gluten Free Toaster Waffles If you're running late, or just in need of an easy breakfast, these Gluten Free Toaster Waffles are a great option. These waffles take only a few minutes to cook, and taste great with butter. You can find these waffles in the freezer section at your Trader Joe's. Gluten Free Buttermilk Pancake and Waffle Mix The best gluten-free pancakes that I have ever eaten have easily been the ones from this mix. These pancakes are easy to make and they turn out delicious every single time. This mix also makes great waffles. The Buttermilk Pancake and Waffle mix is high on my list of my all time favorite Trader Joe's products, and it never disappoints. Gluten Free Glazed Chocolate Donut Holes While I've never had Dunkin' Donuts munchkins, these donut holes are exactly how I have always imagined that they would taste. The Gluten Free Chocolate Glazed Donut Holes are absolutely delicious and, I've been told, they don't even taste gluten free. If you see these donut holes make sure to buy them because they sell out quickly in most stores! Gluten Free Homestyle Toaster Pancakes The Trader Joe's Gluten Free Toaster Pancakes are delicious and they are a perfect quick and easy breakfast option. The pancakes simple have to be put in the toaster and they are ready. My favorite way to eat these pancakes is with butter and a little bit of cinnamon. Dinner Gluten Free Baguette The Gluten Free Baguettes are a new edition to Trader Joe's and they are delicious. These baguettes are perfect for sandwiches, sides, or just on their own. These baguettes don't taste like typically gluten-free bread. With a slight sourdough flavor and a crispy crust, these baguettes are one of Trader Joe's best gluten-free products. Gluten Free Pie Crust This gluten-free pie crust is one of my family's most frequently bought items at Trader Joe's. This pie crust is not from the Trader Joe's brand, but it sold there during the holiday season. My family always makes sure to buy plenty of these pie crusts every time they are available at Trader Joe's. We make apple pie, chicken pot pie, quiche, and more. These pies come out perfectly and buttery every time! Corn Torillas The Trader Joe's Corn Tortillas are a great, reliable product that is usually in my house. These tortillas are perfect for toco night or making a quesadilla. My whole family loves these tortillas, and they are my favorite type of corn tortilla. Gluten Free Cheese Ravioli Gluten-Free ravioli is very hard to come by, so I was very excited hear that Trader Joe's had begun selling it. I had high expectations for this ravioli and it did not disappoint! I usually eat it with a pesto sauce or just a simple red sauce. Both options are delicious and make for a great family dinner. Gluten Free Pizza Dough Again, gluten-free pizza dough is not an easy thing to come by, and I couldn't wait to try this one. The Trader Joe's pizza dough is also incredibly delicious and convenient. It comes frozen and can be defrosted at any time. This dough is very easy to roll. Usually, when my family eats these pizzas, we make mini pizzas, but pizzas of any size will come out delicious using this dough! Gluten Free Egg Fettuccine This Trader Joe's pasta is another frequent dinner in my house. The delicious gluten-free egg fettuccine is another one of my favorites from Trader Joe's. This pasta is very good and, in my opinion, has a better consistency than typical gluten-free penne or spaghetti. Gluten Free White Sandwich Bread The Trader Joe's gluten-free white bread is the only product on my list that I don't love. I decided to include it because it is my go to bread, and I eat it with my sandwiches every day at lunch. This bread is not bad, but it's also not amazing. I am still on the lookout for an even better gluten-free sandwich bread, but for now this is my favorite that I've bought. Gluten Free Breaded Chicken Breast Nuggets These Trader Joe's chicken nuggets are some of my favorite gluten-free chicken nuggets. These make for a perfect meal or snack, especially if you're in a rush. They are also super crunchy and delicious! Desserts Joe Joe's Chocolate Vanilla Creme Sandwich Cookies These cookies are the Trader Joe's version of Gluten Free Oreos. I actually like these cookies much better than the Gluten Free Oreos. These are my favorite type of cookie and my family has been buying them for years. These cookies are delicious and chocolatey, and I could never get sick of them! Gluten Free Madeleine Cookies The Gluten Free Madeleine Cookies are a recent edition to Trader Joe's gluten free collection. Madeliene cookies are actually more cake than cookie, as they are light and airy. These cookies are the perfect treat for anytime! Gluten Free Mini-Cupcakes These Trader Joe's Cupcakes are a staple in my house. They're perfect for any get together and they're delicious. These cupcakes are a super easy way of having a gluten-free option wherever you go, and they're perfect for birthday parties or just for a snack. Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Brownie Mix Everyone I know, gluten free or not, is obsessed with this brownie mix. These brownies are so easy to make and they come out delicious every single time. They are chocolatey, sweet, and delicious, and they are the only brownies I ever make!

Menu Close All About Me Living With Celiac Resources Helpful Links Grocery Store Finds Trader Joe's Stop & Shop Skincare and Makeup Restaurant Recommendations (blog) Recipes

Menu Close All About Me Living With Celiac Resources Helpful Links Grocery Store Finds Trader Joe's Stop & Shop Skincare and Makeup Restaurant Recommendations (blog) Recipes Stop & Shop Finds My family and I do a lot of shopping at Stop & Shop, which has a wide variety of gluten-free options. Below is a list of some of my favorites. It's important to note that in most large grocery stores like Stop & Shop there is usually a section of one of the aisles devoted to gluten-free food. These aisles mostly contain, bread, rolls, crackers, pretzels, and other items that have to be made specifically gluten free. That doesn't mean that there aren't other gluten-free options around the store, but the gluten-free aisle is definitely a good place to start looking for gluten-free food. Here are some of my favorite products and brands that you can look for at Stop & Shop. Not all of these products are guaranteed to be available in your location, but I am typically able to find them in my usual store. Breakfast Dinner Snacks Breakfast Katz Strawberry Toaster Pastries These toaster pastries are a gluten-free version of pop tarts and they are delicious. Both of my sisters love pop tarts so they were both super excited when they realized we had bought a gluten-free version of them. We tried these pop tarts and loved them, and my sisters told me that they tasted almost identical to regular pop tarts. They also come in a cinnamon flavor which is also delicious! You will most likely be able to find these in the gluten-free aisles of your Stop & Shop. Schar's Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Muffin Schar's Chocolate Chip Muffins are a simple and easy breakfast option. These muffins are very convenient and they individually wrapped. I love these muffins, and they perfect for mornings before school or any time you're in a rush. These muffins also come in lots of other flavors such as Classic and Chocolate, but chocolate chip is my personal favorite. I found these muffins in the gluten-free aisles of my Stop & Shop. Chocolate Chex Chocolate Chex are one of my favorite gluten-free cereals. I have been eating Chex for my entire life and the Chocolate flavor is my favorite, but I also love Honey Nut. Chex makes Chocolate Chex, Rice Chex, Cinnamon Chex, Vanilla Chex, Corn Chex, and Honey Nut Chex which are all gluten free. Chex also makes Wheat Chex, which are gluten free, so make sure to avoid these. Chex are naturally gluten free, so you will be able to find them with the rest of the cereal, rather than in the gluten-free aisle. Dinner Barilla Gluten Free Pasta Barilla Gluten Free Pasta is my family's Stop & Shop Pasta go-to. This pasta is delicious and it is my favorite out of all gluten-free pasta that I've tried from Stop and Shop. Barilla makes a ton of different pasta shapes gluten free such as penne, elbows, spaghetti, and more. You will most likely be able to find this pasta with the rest of the pasta, rather than in the gluten-free aisle. Schar's Gluten Free Ciabatta Rolls Schar's rolls are my favorite type of rolls and bread. I love these rolls for sandwiches and I often use them as burger buns as well. Schar's also makes Hotdog Rolls, Sandwich Rolls, Baguettes, and more. Schar's rolls are definitely my top choice. In my Stop & Shop, these rolls are located in the gluten-free aisles. Mission Gluten Free Tortillas My family often buys these tortillas and they are great for tacos and quesadillas. These tortillas are my favorite Stop & Shop tortillas, and we buy these pretty much every week. I really like these tortillas and I would definitely recommend them. 4C Gluten Free Bread Crumbs These gluten-free bread crumbs are a perfect way to make your dinners more interesting. I mostly use these to bread chicken, and it always comes about delicious. These will also most likely not be located in the gluten-free aisles, but with the rest of the breadcrumbs, Nature's Promise Gluten Free Chicken Nuggets My family has been buying these chicken nuggets for as long as I can remember and they have always been delicious. My parents used to always make these for my sisters are me when they needed a quick dinner. These chicken nuggets are crunchy and delicious, and you can find them in the frozen section. Gluten Free Bob's Red Mill 1 to 1 Baking Flour I am including this product because it is a good gluten-free flour that is usually available in the gluten-free section at Stop & Shop. This product is definitely my second favorite gluten-free flour and I often buy it and bake with it, so I would recommend this flour. My favorite gluten-free flour, which I usually need to order on amazon, is Cup4Cup, however this flour is a good back up if you need flour and don't have time to order Cup4Cup. Snacks Tostitos Scoops Tostitos are one of the many snacks you'll find that are naturally gluten free, and they're my favorite brand of tortilla chips. Most tortilla chips are gluten free because they're typically made of corn (but it is still important to read the ingredients just in case). You can find these with the rest of the snacks and chips in your Stop & Shop. There are tons of other similar snacks that are naturally gluten free, so make sure to read the labels! Tate's Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies I have tried a lot of gluten-free chocolate chip cookies from a ton of different brands and the Tate's cookies are definitely my favorite. These are a perfect snack and I almost always have them in my house. You may be able to find these in the gluten-free aisle but they will most likely be with the regular cookies. Tate's also makes gluten-free lemon, coconut crisp, and snickerdoodle cookies, which are all also delicious. Snyder's Gluten Free Pretzel Sticks Snyder's is my favorite brand of gluten-free pretzels, and my family always has them in the house as snacks. I have some friends who buy these gluten-free pretzels instead of regular pretzels because they like them better. Snyder's makes mini pretzels and pretzel rods as well, which are also delicious. You can most likely find these pretzels with the regular snacks, not in the gluten-free aisle. Schar's Gluten Free Entertainment Crackers Schar's Entertainment Crackers are my family's favorite type of gluten-free crackers. These are a perfect for a snack or for get togethers. You can find these crackers in the gluten-free section of your Stop & Shop. Schar's also makes other types of crackers which I would recommend as well. Glutino Gluten Free Chocolate Wafer The Glutino chocolate wafers are one of my favorite snacks that I love to have in my house. These wafers are crunchy, chocolatey, and delicious, and they are great for dessert or an after school snack. You will most likely find these in the gluten-free section of your Stop & Shop. These wafers also come in vanilla, which is delicious as well!

Menu Close All About Me Living With Celiac Resources Helpful Links Grocery Store Finds Trader Joe's Stop & Shop Skincare and Makeup Restaurant Recommendations (blog) Recipes Living With Celiac What is Celiac Disease? Celiac Disease is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the small intestine when gluten is ingested, which means that continuing to eat gluten will cause damage to the intestines and throughout the body. Symptoms of Celiac can be different, and reactions to gluten can vary widely from person to person. Some symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, upset stomach, hair loss, weight loss, bloating, and more. Fortunately, these symptoms can be managed by eating a gluten-free diet. This website will help you to live safely gluten free, while still being able to find delicious foods, use great products, and socialize with friends and family. What is Gluten? Gluten is a protein found in certain grains. The most common sources of gluten are wheat, barley, and rye, which means that most breads and baked goods are made with gluten. However, gluten can also be present in places where it's not expected, which makes going gluten free very tricky at first. For example, gluten can be found in some candies, chips, salad dressings, processed meats, and other unexpected foods, as well as things like medicine, makeup, skin care products, and more. Luckily, there are a lot of gluten-free options and replacements for pretty much anything made with gluten. According to celiac.org , the most common gluten containing grains and their derivatives include: wheat; varieties and derivatives of wheat such as wheat berries, durum, emmer, semolina, spelt, farina, farro, graham, einkorn wheat; rye; barley; triticale; forms of malt including malted barley flour, malted milk, malt extract, malt syrup, malt flavoring, and malt vinegar; brewer's yeast; and wheat starch. There are other ingredients that may contain gluten, so it's important to always read labels and verify anything you're not sure about. A comprehensive list is also available here: list . Fear of Gluten I was diagnosed with Celiac when I was very young, so my parents handled rearranging my diet. However, when I got to Kindergarten, I had to eat lunch at school every day without my parents there to confirm that my food was safe. I was terrified of coming into contact with any gluten and spent most lunch periods crying at the beginning of that year. For a long time, it was difficult for me to eat out at restaurants or to eat at friends' houses. I did not trust anyone outside of my family to prepare my food. As I got older and became more used to having Celiac, it became easier for me to manage these situations and my anxiety began to lessen. In the process, I learned that one of the most difficult parts of having Celiac is trusting others with your food, and therefore your health. I have been able to get over most of the anxiety surrounding gluten, but there are still times when having Celiac can be stressful, and that's normal. Unfortunately, my experience is not a unique one. Many people who are newly diagnosed with Celiac experience a similar feeling of fear and anxiety when it comes to eating outside their home. Everyone's body responds to Celiac differently. Most commonly, people develop upset stomachs when eating gluten, but that is not the only way that people react. This is what makes being newly diagnosed with Celiac so nerve-wracking: once you stop eating gluten, you don't know how your body will react if you're accidentally exposed. At some point, especially in the beginning, you probably will accidentally eat gluten. The longer you have Celiac, the more you will understand how your body reacts to gluten and how to make sure you avoid it. While it can still be difficult to trust a restaurant or a friend cooking for you, eventually the anxiety that you feel around eating gluten will begin to decrease. It is important to be as cautious as possible when it comes to Celiac, but you can't let it stop you from living your life. Eating Out Safely If you are new to Celiac, you may not know that one of the main sources of accidentally eating gluten is through cross-contamination. Cross-contamination can occur in restaurants, factories, or even your own house. For example, if you order a cheeseburger with a gluten-free bun, it is possible that this burger could be cooked on the same surface on which the regular buns are being toasted, which would result in cross-contamination. Another significant risk of cross-contamination comes from ordering fried food like French fries. In most restaurants, the same fryer is used for cooking French fries and breaded foods like chicken fingers or mozzarella sticks. When a restaurant has a separate, gluten-free fryer, or a fries-only fryer it is safe to eat these fries. Employees should be able to tell you if anything with gluten goes in their fryer. My favorite restaurants are the ones with gluten-free fryers! Even if the risk of cross-contamination seems small and only a tiny amount of gluten is ingested, these small amounts of gluten can cause significant harm to your body. The most important thing about eating at restaurants is to inform your waiter that you have Celiac Disease and cannot risk cross-contamination. They should be able to tell you more about the situation in the kitchen and whether they can prepare your food on a separate, clean surface and if they have a separate fryer. Even though it's annoying, sometimes you will be stuck only eating a burger without a bun or just a salad. It's important to research restaurants before going out to eat so that you can find places that have a lot of available gluten-free options. I'm lucky to have some safe restaurants in my area, and I tend to stick to these places when I eat out. Shopping for Gluten-Free Food The good news is that there are still so many foods you can eat when you go gluten free. Fresh foods like fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, and eggs are naturally gluten free, as are rice, nuts, and most dairy products. When it comes to packaged food, you have to learn to read the labels, but it's pretty easy once you get used to it. If something is identified as "certified gluten free," you can generally trust that it’s safe to eat without having to inspect the ingredients. If something simply says gluten free, it also likely is safe to eat, but you should inspect it further. There are many products that may or may not be labeled gluten free that are also safe to eat. As a general rule, if a product is not "certified gluten free," I start by checking the back and reading the ingredients. If I don’t see any wheat, barley, or rye (or their derivatives) in the ingredients, I look below the ingredients to the “contains” and “may contain” sections. These sections list out the most common allergens in the product. If "wheat" is listed, the product is not safe. There’s another section on most products that states whether the product was “made on shared equipment” or “made in the same facility” as products containing wheat (or other allergens). If the product was made on the same equipment as a product containing wheat, I generally avoid eating it. If I don’t see any gluten or oats in any of these areas on the product other sections (see Being Careful with Oats ), I decide that the product is gluten free and eat it. This is my process of ruling that something is safe to eat, and it's kept me healthy through the years. Avoiding Cross Contamination in your Home Believe it or not, when you're new to being gluten free, you actually run a big risk of cross-contamination in your own home. Your pots, pans, blenders, toasters, counters, tables and more can all be sources of cross-contamination. In my house, we started fresh with new pots, pans, baking sheets, etc. when I was diagnosed. Because I was diagnosed with Celiac when I was so young, my whole family eats mostly gluten free. We usually have gluten-containing rolls and tortillas in the house, but our family dinners are always gluten free, and our cooking and baking are also almost always gluten free. We now have two separate toasters, one where only gluten-free products go and one for foods with gluten. We have a small “gluten counter,” which is a specific counter that we use to prepare any foods containing gluten. We don't put any gluten in our blender to keep it safe, and we have separate pots for when my parents occasionally cook pasta with gluten or other non-gluten-free meals. There is no one correct system for keeping your kitchen gluten free, but it's extremely important to keep your gluten-free food separate from gluten and to keep surfaces clean and free of cross contamination. Being Careful with Oats I am very careful when it comes to avoiding cross-contamination, so I'm extra aware of oats. Most oats have high levels of cross contamination because they are usually grown in fields where wheat, barley, and rye are also present. Some oats are intentionally grown separately from gluten containing crops are certified gluten free. There are ways of decontaminating oats, which is done for cereals like Cheerios and Lucky Charms, but they are not certified gluten free. This is because their method for decontaminating oats is somewhat inconsistent. Some people believe that these cereals are completely safe because they are labeled gluten free, but others are more skeptical. There is a lot of debate over whether these cereals are safe to eat if you are gluten free, but if you would rather just be safe you can avoid these cereals. If you do choose to eat them or other similar products, monitor your body’s reaction to them and if you feel that are making you sick stop eating them. Similarly, most granola is typically made with regular oats, so it can be unsafe for people with celiac to eat. Gluten-free granola, however, is made with oats that are not cross contaminated. It is easy to purchase gluten-free granola at the grocery store. I love acai bowls, which are made with granola. Many stores that sell acai bowls also offer gluten-free granola, which is great because people with Celiac are still able to get regular acai bowls. Overall, be careful with oats if they are not labeled certified gluten free, even if they are labeled gluten free, but are not certified.