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(HealthNewsDigest.com) – The holidays can be a tough time to be gluten-free. Friends and family don’t always understand the struggle you must go through just to have a slice of food. They may also push you to stray from your diet, which can cause a lot of health issues for you. Here are some tips for staying true to your gluten-free diet during the holidays. You’re not alone, and there are things you can do to make being gluten-free during the holidays easier. Here are five awesome tips to get you started:
Let The Host Know That You Are Gluten-Free
Although you may still get pushed to try eating dishes with gluten in them, letting the host of the party know about your diet can go a long way in helping you stay on track. Maybe they can put together a special section on the table that is purely gluten-free, or maybe they can simply let you know which of the dishes they make will be safe when it comes to containing gluten or not. Either way, you’ve helped them, and you’ve helped yourself be a little more in the know about your situation. By letting the host know about your diet, they can also be on the lookout for questionable dishes that other party-goers bring in as well.
Bring Your Own Dish
This is a simple but effective way to ensure that you will have something safe to eat during any holiday get-together or potluck. Make a dish or two that you know doesn’t contain any gluten and put it in a place at the host’s party where it won’t be contaminated. This can also work as a fun experience at home. Look up some new gluten-free recipes online and try one out. You can use gluten-free flours in your holiday baking as well if you want to eat something new and yummy.
Fill Up On Veggies and Fruits
It’s a pretty safe bet to stock up on fruits and veggies at the party as long as they aren’t near any questionable dips and food items that could possibly contain gluten. You can never go wrong with getting in some extra healthy bites! No one will bat an eyelash if you have a plate full of fruits and veggies, either. They’ll be too busy worrying about how you seem to be able to avoid all the tempting treats while they have a plate full of desserts.
Eat Before You Go
This one isn’t as much fun. What’s the point of going to a holiday party if you’re not even going to enjoy the yummy food? I know it’s hard, but if you know that most of the dishes present will be full of gluten, then eating something safe before you go to the party is a great way to avoid ingesting something that will make you feel sick. Filling up before you go will also help keep you from over-indulging on any of the holiday dishes.
It’s Okay To Not Be Okay
Making it through the holidays while being gluten-free is tough. There are so many tempting treats, and so many people around you trying to persuade you to just live a little and take a bite. This can be tough emotionally on anyone who is gluten-free. You may be new to the gluten-free diet, and seeing all of the foods around that you once loved but now can’t have is hard.
You may not get too physically ill if you eat something with gluten, but you know that you are damaging your overall health if you eat it. It’s okay to be upset about this. Try to talk through your emotions with someone who will understand, and then move past them. Now that you are gluten-free, life is different, but that doesn’t mean it won’t be good.
Making it through the holidays while maintaining a gluten-free diet is hard, but it doesn’t have to be impossible. Remember that it isn’t your fault that you have to be on a special diet and let people know that you have to be careful. Most people, especially if they’re your friends and family, will be understanding of your situation and will do their best to help you stay on track. Who knows? You may be able to turn some previous gluten eaters your way when you show up with a delicious gluten-free dish.