Living a strict gluten-free lifestyle can be limiting and expensive, and there is no reason for the entire family to do it if it’s not absolutely necessary. However, there are many benefits if your family eats gluten-free with you at home. When the whole family eats mostly gluten-free with you, menu planning, avoiding cross-contact, managing cravings, and even budget control can be easier. Why buy two kinds of pasta when the gluten-free version will make everyone happy?
Even with the abundance of gluten-free foods available, transitioning into the gluten-free lifestyle is challenging at first. If your family could live gluten-free with you for at least the first month, it would be a wonderful show of support and provide encouragement as you move through this phase. Plus, by following a gluten-free diet with you for a period of time, it’s possible that some family members may discover that symptoms they once struggled with or took for granted may subside and as a result more members of the family may choose to eat gluten-free as well. If you have celiac disease or gluten intolerance it’s possible that other blood relatives in your household could have the celiac gene also. And even though chances are higher for other members having the condition, there is no statistic that explains this probability or risk.
But if you are the only one who must eat gluten-free and your family is resistant to going completely gluten-free with you, perhaps they could eat gluten-free with you every other week or once a month. It’s a wonderful way to introduce them to new products, unique ingredients, and recipes you’ve discovered on your journey. In fact, a gluten-free diet offers a multitude of ingredients, recipes, and products that the entire family can enjoy and nutritionally benefit from.
Bottom Line: It’s important that your family learn and practice the diet with you at least during your transition period to show support, provide encouragement, and help everyone learn about the diet so they can support you properly when needed.
