If you have just been diagnosed with coeliac disease after going through the process of consultations with your GP and health professionals, you can breathe a sigh of relief and start planning for the future. Knowing how to live with coeliac disease will stand you in good stead for a balanced, healthy diet that doesn’t include any gluten. This is a guide about what to expect and how to make the most of your new gluten free diet, including how you can get some gluten free food on prescription.
Tips for a gluten free diet
It can be challenging to change your mindset once you are finally diagnosed with coeliac disease, so we’ve put together a list of some helpful tips to get you in the right place. Although challenging, it can be very rewarding to incorporate gluten free food into your diet, and there’s no reason that you can’t have an exciting, delicious meal every day, the same as if you could ingest gluten.
Learn about gluten free food
The first thing that you should do once you have been diagnosed with coeliac disease is to do some research into what foods are naturally gluten free and which foods contain gluten. It can be eye opening to discover that there are so many foods available that don’t contain any gluten. It opens up the possibilities of what you can do with your gluten free diet without your meal plans becoming boring. Foods that are naturally gluten free include potato, rice, corn, meat, fish, cheese, eggs, fruits, vegetables, and pulses.
Find your community
It’s always nice to chat with people who are going through the same thing as you, or who have already been through it. Connecting with other people who have a gluten free diet, whether online or in person, will help you to see how simple it is to shift your diet and lifestyle to remove gluten completely. Some communities will also provide you with access to a guide that shows you the many foodstuffs and products that are gluten free, information sheets and booklets, as well as chat functions to speak with other people.
Speak with a dietitian
Your GP may refer you to a dietitian after you have been diagnosed with coeliac disease. This can be helpful at the beginning of your journey, as they can provide you with a step-by-step plan on how to carefully remove gluten from your diet. Prior to your appointment, keep a record of what you eat, and take this with you. You may also require regular checks with your GP, gastroenterologist, or dietitian.
Gluten free bread and other types of gluten free foods on prescription help you to get into the rhythm of a new gluten free diet once you have been diagnosed with coeliac disease. You may be eligible for gluten free products on prescription, so check with your GP to see what you need to do. Some companies also distribute free product samples to help you decide what you might add to your prescription. This gives you a feel for what is available to you, and the different types of products that can help you begin your gluten free diet or that you can include as part of your ongoing routine.