I can't have WHAT!?

Some of the things I will miss the most:

• Cookies (Specifically Girl Scout Caramel Delights)
• Brownies
• Bagels
• Whole Wheat Bread
• Lunch Meat (I love me a good turkey sandwich on whole wheat bread)
• Ranch Dressing
• Croutons (What will become of my salads?)
• Imitation Crab Meat (Guess I'll have to settle for the real thing... sigh)
• Pretzels (Warm, soft ballpark pretzels)
• Brats (Another ballpark favorite)
• Beer (Baseball season is really starting to look bleak)
• Chicken Strips
• French Fries and Potato Chips
• Chip Dip
• Cookie Dough Ice Cream
• Garlic Bread
• Bleu Cheese
• Flour Tortillas
• Cheez Its
• Whiskey (BY FAR the one thing I will miss the most!)

Ok, so this is not a complete list of things I can't have, just things I will really miss. I know there are many gluten-free versions of the foods (and drinks) listed above, but I know they will not taste the same. However, it is a small price to pay for good health. In my next post, I will switch to a more positive outlook and post the things I CAN have. For a more complete list of foods to avoid, visit this For Dummies website:

http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/foods-to-avoid-on-a-glutenfree-diet.html

OR About.com's article on foods to avoid:

http://foodallergies.about.com/od/wheatallergies/qt/glutenfreediet.htm

Also, check out the Dos and Don'ts of Gluten Free Eating:

http://www.foodnetwork.com/healthy-eating/gluten-free-guide-dos-and-donts/index.html