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The Gluten-Free Bible: The Thoroughly Indispensable Guide to Negotiating Life without Wheat
The definitive guide to the gluten-free lifestyle, completely revised and updated for the 2.2 million Americans with celiac disease According to a landmark 2003 National Institutes of Health study, 2.2 million Americans suffer from celiac disease, an allergy to the protein gluten found in wheat. Since this book was first published in 1995 (as Against the Grain ), Jax Peters Lowell has been helping celiacs follow a gluten-free diet with creativity, resourcefulness, and humor. This edition includes chapters covering
- the latest research into celiac disease, and myths that have
been debunked
- how to eat out happily, including a short course in restaurant
assertiveness training
- how to eat in happily, including a discussion of online and
mail order suppliers and negotiating the supermarket as a celiac
- dozens of delicious new recipes
- drugs, cosmetics, and other products tested for celiac-safety
- a thoroughly updated resource section Tens of thousands of celiacs have already enhanced their lives with Lowell's authoritative, witty, and practical guide. The Gluten-free Bible promises to bring relief to the new gluten-intolerant generation.
- the latest research into celiac disease, and myths that have
been debunked
- how to eat out happily, including a short course in restaurant
assertiveness training
- how to eat in happily, including a discussion of online and
mail order suppliers and negotiating the supermarket as a celiac
- dozens of delicious new recipes
- drugs, cosmetics, and other products tested for celiac-safety
- a thoroughly updated resource section Tens of thousands of celiacs have already enhanced their lives with Lowell's authoritative, witty, and practical guide. The Gluten-free Bible promises to bring relief to the new gluten-intolerant generation.
560 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
November 12, 2016
Some parts were highly useful
Many parts were not
Many parts were not
May 19, 2026
This book was terribly preachy, badly organized, and half memoir.
It was also more than a wee bit racist. Written exclusively for white people, it included a whole secrion of (tehe) indulgences in other cultural foods outside of 'american' cuisine one might try on a vacation they clearly can afford. -eye roll-
It did include some good information of recipes to start with, but then they sort of dove into the same recipes everyone else has but labeling vanilla specifically should be GF when.... it usually is already? The earlier recipies seem to follow more interesting formats, finding things to make that leaned into one type of flour over another for specific reasons. That was what I needed. At least until everything was just made with ehr signature GF flour subsititute.
It also included a deeper dive on comorbidities and 'invisible' symptoms that was greatly useful to spring into further research. For that she gets her second star.
It was also more than a wee bit racist. Written exclusively for white people, it included a whole secrion of (tehe) indulgences in other cultural foods outside of 'american' cuisine one might try on a vacation they clearly can afford. -eye roll-
It did include some good information of recipes to start with, but then they sort of dove into the same recipes everyone else has but labeling vanilla specifically should be GF when.... it usually is already? The earlier recipies seem to follow more interesting formats, finding things to make that leaned into one type of flour over another for specific reasons. That was what I needed. At least until everything was just made with ehr signature GF flour subsititute.
It also included a deeper dive on comorbidities and 'invisible' symptoms that was greatly useful to spring into further research. For that she gets her second star.
January 30, 2012
Yuck.
There were really helpful sections of this book where the author sticks purely to the facts. The sections on gluten free grains and flours is outstanding. She knows what she’s talking about.
However…
There is a lot in this book where she speaks in universal statements that are simply not true and incredibly off-putting if this is not your experience and reality. She often reminds you about how bad you felt when you kept losing all that weight and didn’t know why. Remember when your bones stuck out? Remember when you were so very skinny? Yeah, that doesn’t always happen.
She also gives tips that work for her and she assumes that everyone will be comfortable and on board. She talks about how she understands that at first you won’t be comfortable going into a kitchen in a restaurant to read all the labels and make sure the cooks are using clean pots and pans and cleaning off the grill if needed. Since you won’t feel comfortable doing that right away, just bring your own food and have them cook that. In clean pots and pans and on a cleaned grill if needed. WHAT??!?! Yeah, because that’s totally a comfortable moment!
The part that made me put down the book and groan in pain was when she got to the affirmations. Yes, I understand the power of positive thinking and I agree that it is important. However, I am not going to suggest to my newly diagnosed Celiac husband that he walk up and down the bread aisle in the supermarket whispering “You will no longer hurt me.”
I’m sure some people adore this book. They will love her attitude and find her tips work for their personality. I am not one of them.
It’s great for the facts, but for me, the tips and behavior suggestions were so alien that they almost negated everything else.
There were really helpful sections of this book where the author sticks purely to the facts. The sections on gluten free grains and flours is outstanding. She knows what she’s talking about.
However…
There is a lot in this book where she speaks in universal statements that are simply not true and incredibly off-putting if this is not your experience and reality. She often reminds you about how bad you felt when you kept losing all that weight and didn’t know why. Remember when your bones stuck out? Remember when you were so very skinny? Yeah, that doesn’t always happen.
She also gives tips that work for her and she assumes that everyone will be comfortable and on board. She talks about how she understands that at first you won’t be comfortable going into a kitchen in a restaurant to read all the labels and make sure the cooks are using clean pots and pans and cleaning off the grill if needed. Since you won’t feel comfortable doing that right away, just bring your own food and have them cook that. In clean pots and pans and on a cleaned grill if needed. WHAT??!?! Yeah, because that’s totally a comfortable moment!
The part that made me put down the book and groan in pain was when she got to the affirmations. Yes, I understand the power of positive thinking and I agree that it is important. However, I am not going to suggest to my newly diagnosed Celiac husband that he walk up and down the bread aisle in the supermarket whispering “You will no longer hurt me.”
I’m sure some people adore this book. They will love her attitude and find her tips work for their personality. I am not one of them.
It’s great for the facts, but for me, the tips and behavior suggestions were so alien that they almost negated everything else.
January 13, 2010
The organization of this book is so strange. It isn't intuitive at all. The layout doesn't help much either. It is difficult to scan pages for content.
However, the author covers a lot of issues I hadn't thought of, such as how gluten intolerance is dealt with in the military, in prison, in nursing homes, etc.
There is also a significant portion of the book discussing the desire to "cheat" and eat gluten. If this is something you struggle with, this book might be good for you. Personally, I had a hard time relating to it. I tend to struggle more with feelings of being deprived than with a desire to eat gluten-containing foods.
This still isn't THE book to introduce the gluten-free lifestyle, in my opinion. Someday I'll find it.
Lastly, this book is the revised and so forth version of Against the Grain: The Slightly Eccentric Guide to Living Well Without Gluten or Wheat.
However, the author covers a lot of issues I hadn't thought of, such as how gluten intolerance is dealt with in the military, in prison, in nursing homes, etc.
There is also a significant portion of the book discussing the desire to "cheat" and eat gluten. If this is something you struggle with, this book might be good for you. Personally, I had a hard time relating to it. I tend to struggle more with feelings of being deprived than with a desire to eat gluten-containing foods.
This still isn't THE book to introduce the gluten-free lifestyle, in my opinion. Someday I'll find it.
Lastly, this book is the revised and so forth version of Against the Grain: The Slightly Eccentric Guide to Living Well Without Gluten or Wheat.
October 24, 2009
Helpful, if outdated, book about living gluten-free. It has practical suggestions regarding navigating the real world with a significant dietary requirement - strategies for restaurants and travel, as well as information on hidden sources of gluten.
I'd like to see an update on this book, knowledge regarding health impact has grown significantly since publication. An additional star off for focusing so much on the idea that Celiacs are underweight. We now know that obesity accounts for a notable portion of individuals who go undiagnosed. It's still extremely difficult to get a physician to order IgA or tTG for an overweight patient, due to this misconception.
If you are (or suspect you are) gluten-intolerant, do yourself a favor and start here, but move on to recently published information, or celiac.com for more up-to-date information about this condition.
I'd like to see an update on this book, knowledge regarding health impact has grown significantly since publication. An additional star off for focusing so much on the idea that Celiacs are underweight. We now know that obesity accounts for a notable portion of individuals who go undiagnosed. It's still extremely difficult to get a physician to order IgA or tTG for an overweight patient, due to this misconception.
If you are (or suspect you are) gluten-intolerant, do yourself a favor and start here, but move on to recently published information, or celiac.com for more up-to-date information about this condition.
October 20, 2008
I'm not a fan of the advice in this book. This was the first thing I read following my diagnosis, but I found her coping methods rather abrasive. She expects everyone around her to make all of these special arrangements for her, while I'd rather adapt to my surroundings and take responsibility for my own actions. That's a rather harsh review, but I came away from reading this bitter and self-pitying. However, there is some good basic advice here, I just would avoid recommending it for people straight after their diagnosis.
October 15, 2007
Comprehensive guide to living gluten free - from dealing with the restaruant scene to house parties. Covers many of the same topics from her previous book - Against the Grain - but gives an updated outlook on living GF and covers the changes in the food industry since her first book was published in 1996. I had the opporutnity to attend a seminar by the author and met with her afterwards. Amazing woman.
December 26, 2010
FABULOUS! If you just found out you are gluten intolerant or have celiacs disease, this book is A MUST READ! It's an easy and quick read and Jax gives you a great glimpse into the world of being gluten free. She especially emphasizes mourning over it all because food is EVERYWHERE and yes, it is hard to be gluten free. This book was such a life saver for me, but I felt it must be genetic because check out her maiden name? :)
February 22, 2008
I was looking for recipes but this is really more of a lifestyle book. She covers the types of kitchen utensils that need to be replaced after an initial diagnosis, etiquette (always a toughy), eating out and other issues you never realized you were going to have to deal with. How do I fly now? Why do I cheat? I don't really like a few of her solutions but it got me thinking about things.
April 25, 2008
I cannot begin to describe how indispensible this book has been! The author is a prefect guide to beginning life gluten-free, addressing both the emotional & psychological issues of changing your diet AND the practical, "how-to" issues. The book includes recipes, restaurant recommendations, cosmetic cautions, medical resources, and engaging stories!
June 25, 2008
compared to other books on this topic there is a lot of mis-information. this books is NOT endorsed by any of the celiac discussion groups I have explored. although I initially thought there was some good info, the mix of that with false info is just scary for those who NEED the information for their health's sake!
August 31, 2009
Since we discovered Myles' gluten intolerance, this book has been a lifesaver in helping us learn more about the condition and how to live with it. It has really wonderful and thorough reference information and offers a lot of additional jumping off points for learning more about every aspect of living gluten-free.
December 11, 2009
I am still reading this, but it has helped me through a lot. I was just diagnosed with celiac disease a few years ago and I have had a lot of problems with taking it our of my diet. But this book gives you a lot of helpful tips about what to do when you want something you cant have. Its a great guide for people with celiac!
February 15, 2008
I am Celliac and this book is seriously good for those who have it or just have a wheat intolerance. It is very informative and a must read for those who have been diagnosed with either Celliac or Wheat intolerance.
March 15, 2008
Great advice on everything, from the best tasting mixes to how to travel gluten-free. I appreciated the author's candid insights about life without gluten and how it's okay to mourn the loss of wheat!
October 16, 2009
This is a fabulous guide to the Gluten Free world. I found it to be empowering and incredibly helpful. I would recommend this to anyone with Celiac! She also wrote an earlier book titled "Against the Grain" that looks very interesting as well.
September 19, 2007
my-books
March 9, 2008
It made me feel normal and had wonderful resources for those of us who are gluten challenged.
June 11, 2008
This is a great source for anyone with Celiac but also has some great insight into those suffering from chronic illness
November 17, 2008
For those of us with that are either celiacs or gluten intolerant, great lists of those alternative products that actually taste good and not like cardboard or mush.
January 21, 2009
Very helpful and funny, too!
August 31, 2009
The Gluten-Free Bible has some useful advice about fixing your gut problems.
January 15, 2011
Exhaustive!
February 17, 2011
Great resource!
May 11, 2014
Excellent!
June 19, 2015
I'm sure it was great at the time, but the information is outdated now.
July 13, 2009
so much valuable information in here, great resource for anyone dealing with a GF life change
June 4, 2016
A great book for anyone who needs to avoid gluten and gives tips on how to do so.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews