Gluten Free: a beginner's guide

I started my Gluten Free journey in June of this year, after educating myself about my Hashimoto's Thyroiditis and ways I could reduce my symptoms and make myself healthier.

I wont go into a lot about my illness, because I have posted about it before, but I will say that since going gluten free, I have been healthier.  Prior to changing my diet, I was sick a lot and when I had a cold or something similar it hung around for weeks.  Since my change in diet, I have not been sick once.  My headaches have mostly disappeared and I have not had a cold or sinus infection.  The one exception to this was the one time I ate macaroni and cheese (even though I knew better).

Enough of that.  This post is not about my health.  This post is about the resources I have found that make eating gluten free easier.

Before going gluten free myself, I had heard a little about the diet, but I really hadn't paid that much attention.  Therefore making the change was a huge task.  I educated myself about how my body reacted to gluten (mine is an immune response), what gluten actually was, what types of foods I was going to have to give up, and where I could find information about gluten free alternatives.

This post is what I wish I had found on day 1.  No its not a fancy list with eloquent reasons why or introductions to each link, but you know what? I'm not a fancy person.  I like facts, and I dont like fluff.  So here is a list.  A simple (and by not means all inclusive) list of websites, blogs, etc. that I have found useful in the last several months of my gluten free journey.  I hope it helps.

Informational Resources about Gluten and Hashimoto's :

• http://survivinghashimotos.blogspot.com/p/gluten-and-hashimotos.html
• http://www.livestrong.com/article/542370-what-is-a-good-diet-for-hashimotos-thyroid-disease-patients/
• http://www.thyroid.org/patient-thyroid-information/ct-for-patients/vol-5-issue-6/vol-5-issue-6-p-3-4/

Discussion Boards about Gluten and/or Hashimoto's:

•  http://www.thyroidboards.com/
• http://www.healthboards.com/boards/thyroid-disorders/
• http://www.healthboards.com/boards/tags/gluten%20free.html
• http://www.celiac.com/gluten-free/

Websites and Web Resources:

• http://www.celiac.com/
• http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/gluten-free-diet/my01140
• http://www.fda.gov/forconsumers/consumerupdates/ucm363069.htm
• http://www.thyroid.org/
• http://www.gluten.net/Programs/industry-programs/gluten-free-food-service
• http://celiac.org/
• http://www.celiaccentral.org/
• http://celiacrestaurantguide.com/

Gluten Free Blogs (My favorites):

• http://glutenfreeonashoestring.com/
• http://glutenfreegoddess.blogspot.com/
• http://simplygluten-free.com/
• http://wheatfreemom.com/blog/
• http://www.glutenfreecookingschool.com/

Other Resources:

• Living Gluten-Free for Dummies (Book)
• Gluten-Free Made Easy As 1, 2, 3 (Book)
• The Essential Gluten-Free Restaurant Guide (Book)
• 2012/2013 Gluten-Free Grocery Shopping Guide (Book)
• Find Me Gluten Free (App)
• Is That Gluten Free? (App)