The Importance of Positivity
Why positivity is so important, how to turn challenges into wins, and practical ways to stay optimistic
At Gluten Free Glee, our mission statement is the guide to gluten free good times. We aim to be a super positive voice and share all the best ways to make living gluten free easier and more enjoyable. But let’s be real - having coeliac disease, a gluten intolerance, or any kind of food allergy can be really tough sometimes. And that’s okay to admit!
But, let’s talk about why positivity is so important, how to turn challenges into wins, and practical ways to stay optimistic. And remember, if you’re struggling, don’t suffer in silence - reach out to a medical expert or someone you trust. You’re not alone in this.
🪄 The Power of Positivity
The gluten free world can feel overwhelmingly negative at times. You see scary misinformation online, hear horror stories, and get used to conversations about coeliac disease and food intolerances being framed in a doom-and-gloom way. For those newly diagnosed, it can be disheartening to see so much negativity, making it even harder to adjust.
We get it, we really do. But here’s the truth: positivity is powerful. If you have coeliac disease, you can’t change that, and the only way to stay healthy is to completely avoid gluten - for life. The same goes for a lot of other food allergies and intolerances. If you spend every day focusing on the negatives, life can feel pretty bleak. But when you shift your mindset, you open yourself up to so many possibilities.
A positive mindset doesn’t mean ignoring the difficulties - it means acknowledging them while choosing to focus on the food. Here’s why this matters:
😄 Less Stress, More Joy
A negative mindset can make day-to-day challenges feel even heavier. By focusing on what’s within your control, and looking at things with a positive spin, you reduce stress and increase happiness.
💪🏽 Stronger Self Advocacy
The more comfortable you become with your gluten free lifestyle, the easier it is to stand up for yourself in restaurants, with friends, or while travelling.
🫶🏾 A More Fulfilling Life
Finding joy in the little things - like discovering a delicious gluten free bakery or perfecting a new recipe - makes the journey more rewarding.
👯 Positivity is Infectious
Your attitude can influence those around you. A positive outlook can inspire family, friends, and even restaurant staff to be more understanding and accommodating
🫵🏻 Setting an Example for Others
If you have a social media presence or engage in gluten free communities, your positivity can help encourage others who may be struggling with the transition to a gluten free lifestyle.
🌀 Acknowledging with Challenges (With a Positive Spin)
💰 The Cost of Gluten Free Food
The challenge: Gluten free products are often more expensive than their gluten containing counterparts.
The positive spin: You’re likely to eat fewer processed foods and focus on whole, naturally gluten free ingredients like fruits, vegetables, meats, and rice. There’s also a lot of publicity at the moment around the cost of gluten free foods so it’s not something that’s going unnoticed.
😟 Social Situations & Anxiety
The challenge: Eating out or attending events can be stressful, and explaining your dietary needs repeatedly can be exhausting.
The positive spin: Over time, you become an expert in managing social situations, asking the right questions, and finding hidden gluten free gems in your area. Plus, educating others raises awareness and may help someone else in the future.
🍽️ Limited Dining Out Options
The challenge: Not every restaurant caters to gluten free, understands cross-contamination, and choices can be limited.
The positive spin: More restaurants are offering gluten free menus and our Gluten Free Map makes it easier to locate safe places to eat across the UK. A lot of the time, you’ll have the final say on where to eat too, so use that to your advantage!
🛒 Supermarket Choices can be Limited
The challenge: Gluten free sections can be small and some products might not satisfy your taste buds.
The positive spin: There is choice - not too long ago you could only get gluten free products from pharmacies, and these were the basic necessities like flour, bread, and pasta. Now is by far the best time to be gluten free and choice in supermarkets is only getting better.
💓 You Miss your Favourite Foods
The challenge: Some gluten containing food might not have a gluten free alternative or they’re not easy to pick up.
The positive spin: This encourages you to try new recipes at home to make your favourite meals, takeaways, and sweet treats gluten free. Learning to cook at home can be an incredibly rewarding skill and is often a money saver too. You could also support small online or local businesses that cater for what you’re craving.
😲 The Unexpected Positives of Being Gluten Free
Aside from counteracting the negatives with a positive spin, there are also genuine positives of being gluten free.
👍🏽 Better Health
Many people feel physically better - more energy, less bloating, improved digestion, clearer skin - once they eliminate gluten
👍🏽 You’ve been Diagnosed
It’s not uncommon for people to go their whole lives not realising that they’ve been living with something that’s doing damage to their body. The fact that you’ve been diagnosed, or know gluten is the problem, is something to be thankful for
👍🏽 Increased Awareness of Food & Ingredients
Reading labels and researching food sources makes you more conscious of what you’re putting into your body
👍🏽 Creativity in the Kitchen
Whether it’s baking gluten free bread or experimenting with alternative flours, you might find yourself enjoying cooking more than ever
👍🏽 Community & Connection
There are thriving gluten free communities online and in-person where you can share experiences, recommendations, and recipes with people in the same boat as you.
😊 Tips for Staying Positive and Thriving
✅ Focus on What you Can Eat
Instead of dwelling on what’s off-limits, celebrate what you can eat and what great gluten free alternatives you can get. There are thousands of products out there safe for people living gluten free and the range is only going to get bigger - check out our shopping page!
✅ Plan Ahead
Having safe snacks on hand and researching restaurants in advance can make social situations and travel much less stressful.
✅ Join a Supportive Community
Connect with others through social media groups, local meet-ups, or get tickets to one of the many gluten free food festivals that take place throughout the year. Sharing experiences and tips with others who understand makes the journey feel less isolating.
✅ Celebrate Small Wins
Tried a new restaurant? Found an amazing gluten free snack? Managed to eat out safely? Give yourself credit for navigating this lifestyle successfully!
✅ Allow Yourself to Moan - Then Move On
It’s okay to be frustrated sometimes. Vent, acknowledge the difficulty, then shift your focus to the positives and keep moving forward.
🎯 Quick Recap
Yes, living with coeliac disease certainly comes with its challenges, but it’s also an opportunity to take charge of your health, explore new foods, and become part of a supportive, ever-growing community. By focusing on the positives, you’ll not only make life easier but also more rewarding and enjoyable.
If after reading this you still feel a bit down about being gluten free, that’s okay - it’s how you feel right now, and it’s valid. But hopefully, with time, you’ll start to see the brighter side. There are always things in life that can weigh us down, but it’s important to keep the bigger picture in mind. There are so many other serious and debilitating conditions out there, and while coeliac disease can definitely be frustrating at times - yes, there will be moments when you just want to scream - it is a completely manageable condition. The key is learning to live with it, as the only cure is sticking to a strict gluten free diet.
Remember, you’ve got this! Keep focussing on the positives, and life will feel so much lighter. 💛