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I caught Alicia speaking at the B&B in NYC and immediately bought the book, read it in one go and now want to fully jump on board. The one thing I am concerned about is following this diet while dealing with other allergies. I have never been tested, but through trials I came to the conclusion three years ago that I am lactose-intolerant, which of course doesn't matter for this diet. Just recently though I also concluded I am gluten-intolerant. In her book, Alicia mentions that maybe after avoiding gluten for a few months, one will be able to tolerate it again...very interesting, I hope this is the case! Regardless, I am nervous about how hard this may be, especially following different instructions/suggestions in the book when I must avoid gluten. Is there anywhere else I could look for help? It hasn't been hard getting used to a gluten-free diet, but it has been confusing! After reading this book I am more passionate than ever about pursuing this lifestyle and want to start now, I'm just getting turned off at how confusing I am picturing it to be! So, I'm trying to look for help, I'm feeling intimidated. THANK YOU, Kellyann
Kellyann-I am a PA in GI (gastroenterology) and I see so many people with gluten intolerance! One of your best bets would be to ask your doctor to send you to a nutritionist. The one we refer to gives our patients a list of all gluten free foods at one of our local big box stores (meijer) ...don't know if you are near the midwest or not. IF this is not an option....you can go to the website www.foodsforliving.com, which is a local health store here in MI and they have on the lower corner of their webpage a list of gluten free foods that they update monthly. Of course, on this list are foods you can find anywhere, whole foods, etc. It is really helpful. Hope this helps a bit!
Hi Kellyann,
I too am allergic to dairy and wheat and want to start the diet...I think if we start slowly it will be manageable. I too get overexcited then, overwhelmed! There's some really great rice bread and almond flours and cashew ice cream out there...Also, it seems like there isn't too much wheat in this diet. You can buy gluten-free oats for the oatmeal recipes...I woud say to start making a list of everything you can eat and plan some simple meals/snacks. Since I've gotten off wheat and dairy I feel lots better. Would never go back to either. I'm hypoglycemic so, I worry that I'll need some fish on this diet but, we will see. I wish you luck!!!! Tell me how it goes...All the best!
Hi Kellyann,
I started out by eliminating red meat, dairy, refined sugar and gluten from my diet before becoming all vegan. After being off of gluten for about 1 year I was able to re-introduce it and not have any issues.
Any gluten that I eat is either from baked goods or breads that I make or seitan . I think that the gluten in processed foods is much harder on the system because there is so much junk combined with the gluten. I think a nutritionist is a great idea.
Good luck!
Kellyann - om my gosh, I too am lactose and gluten intolerant and hypoglycemic. I worry about meeting protein requirements on a vegan diet - see my post titled Gluten Allergy.
Check out: http://www.wholelifenutrition.net/index.html. There are truly delicious gluten, dairy and egg free recipes on the site (and the book is loaded with them as well).
You can also check out Bob's Red Mill http://www.bobsredmill.com/gluten-free/ to make substitutions for wheat flour. They offer an all purpose g.f. flour and the coconut flour (which you mix with another g.f. flour) makes really delish, lite, fluffy baked goods like cookies and cakes.
Good luck!
hi, kellyann! i'm not very familiar with gluten intolerance. but i actually have a nut allergy (the ONLY one i can tolerate in very small doses are peanuts - weird, i know) and some seed allergies. it's very difficult to deal with while trying to go vegan. but alicia's book is making things alot easier! and i say, where there's a will, there's a way, so keep researching and i know you'll find a way to work around your allergies while still going veg!
I'm vegan as well as gluten free and soy free. There are so many gluten free options these days and I assume there would be even more in America than here in Australia.
I bake cupcakes and biscuits using gluten free flours (brown rice, quinoa, tapioca, potato) and I buy rice bread sometimes. I don't eat a lot of pasta but there are lots of gf pasta (try Tinkyada) and I use quinoa flakes in place of oats and I love quinoa and brown rice.
Just start my removing things from your diet and replacing them one by one and soon you'll find it easy to make vegan and gluten free meals and choices.
superhero diet will handle all of these issues. you can easily meat all your needs on superhero plan without eating wheat . take it day by day. you will get the hang of it...and you will love it!
Hi Kellyann, You are right it can be so confusing when you start out gluten free! I definately agree with Karen that Bob's Red Mill G.F. all purpose flour is fantastic and worth checking out and not sure if you'd tried this but a really delicious non-dairy treat (sweetened wtih agave) is So Delicious's coconut milk "ice cream"...the chocolate flavour and coconut flavour (pieces of coconut in it) are soooo tasty! My family and friends are hooked :) I'm sure you'll do great, best of luck!
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