Book Review: The G Free Diet : A Gluten-Free Survival Guide

The G Free Diet : A Gluten-Free Survival Guide , by Elizabeth Hasselbeck arrived on my door on my wheat free anniversary last Thursday while I was spending time with Stephanie. We skimmed through the book both trying to figure out if it was something that we would like. Stephanie left and I cracked open the book that night.

I had been familiar with the books author from shows like Survivor and The View as well as her cute clothing line. I had known that she also suffered from celiac disease and that instantly made me feel connected to her, but would I like her book?

The The G Free Diet is highly informative. The book really made me think. If you follow me on Twitter you know that I realized that my hair dye had been glutening me. I had pondered this in the past but always forgotten to check the ingredients of my hair dye. Well, the The G Free Diet not only gives you Gluten Free Friendly Cosmetic Manufacture names but it also lists product names to look for. Also, sure enough, the hair dye I have been using for a while contained wheat.

I like how personal the book gets with Elizabeth's struggle with celiacs. I know how hard it has been for me and others I know that have to deal with it on a daily basis.

I also liked how the book has chapters on how to use the gluten free diet to help autism. There are also sections on how to be a wonderful gluten free significant other, which I thought was really sweet, plus, it was filled with the sweet antidotes from her relationship with her husband. There are also chapters on how to accommodate the needs of gluten free children, and how to party like a champion with out being a kill joy. Everything in her book was very informative.


The only things that I didn't like about the book was that she doesn't have a dedicated GF toaster because of space in her New York home. I am a Native New Yorker and I am sorry but crumbs are crumbs even if you use foil to shield them! My GF toaster just got contaminated yesterday and I will be needing a new one, I am a cross contamination freak.

The other thing was that she (I don't want to give away spoilers) ate a non-gf meal at an important function. I personally wouldn't take the risk, because my intestines are so sensitive to gluten and I know what happens if they are exposed. But she did for good reason, I just wouldn't.

Those things were minor. Over all, I liked the book a lot. I would have read it in a few sittings but I was swamped with finals. I totally recommend reading it when it hits store shelves in the morning!