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Living Gluten-Free For Dummies

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Includes 65 delicious gluten-free recipes plus tips on eating outFind out how easy and tasty it can be to go gluten free!If you have a wheat allergy, gluten intolerance, celiac disease, or you just want to enjoy the benefits of a diet free of wheat, barley, and rye, then this guide is for you. Author Danna Korn explains the medical problems associated with gluten and shows you step by step how to make the transition to a gluten-free lifestyle - and love it!Discover how to Understand what you can and can't eat Shop and decipher food labels Cook crowd-pleasing gluten-free meals Eat gluten-free at restaurants and parties Raise happy gluten-free kids

356 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2006

108 people are currently reading
611 people want to read

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Danna Korn

28 books3 followers

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5 stars
209 (29%)
4 stars
249 (34%)
3 stars
199 (27%)
2 stars
45 (6%)
1 star
14 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
Profile Image for Kim.
1,164 reviews22 followers
January 26, 2012
I inhaled this book. some of it was a little bit too rushed, or too much info.. the recipes were dissapointing, im a microwave/cook from a box girl, i don't own a bread machine, haven't the foggiest what rice paper is. I was hoping since it was a dummies book, the recpies would be dummied down.. I'm cooking for myself and a 6 year old, im a single mom, i have no desire to make some gormet meal that all the cook books ive been seeing are telling me to make..bring on the gluten free mac and cheese and chicken tenders! not spring rolls, and chinese game hens. seriously now! but other than that the book was awesomly informative, and very helpful sometimes.
Profile Image for Liaken.
1,501 reviews
March 23, 2010
Much of this book is lifted from Wheat-Free, Worry-Free: The Art of Happy, Healthy Gluten-Free Living. Is it better? Well, depends on what you like. This book is heavily formatted, and if you like the dummies style of formatting, you will probably really like this book. I have a few issues with the dummies style. It's a formula, which means that the information has to fit a certain mold. This results in a couple of problems: hyper-presentation, where the information is presented as quickly as possible, and glut, where there are chunks that aren't really needed in the book, but are there because they're part of the formula.

Wheat-Free, Worry-Free: The Art of Happy, Healthy Gluten-Free Living and this book have a lot of information in common, but they do have some differences. For instance, this book presents the gluten-free diet in context of the glycemic index. Wheat Free, Worry Free has information about where research is headed for those with gluten intolerance.

So, which do I prefer? Wheat-Free, Worry-Free: The Art of Happy, Healthy Gluten-Free Living. But which would you prefer? Could be either. I'd say, peruse them both and see which appeals to you.

But, I still haven't found what I would consider THE book to present the gluten-free lifestyle. (Maybe I'll have to write it.)
Profile Image for Tami.
Author 38 books85 followers
April 15, 2008
Not so very long ago, the vast majority of people had no idea what gluten was let alone how the mysterious substance affected the body. Those who were put on gluten-free diets for health reasons were pretty much left on their own as even most doctors and dieticians had no clue about which foods actually did or didn't contain gluten. Not only did this cause confusion but likely a lot of unnecessary suffering through the ingestion of gluten from foods that were thought safe, 100% gluten-free, and completely uncontaminated.

Information is slowly spreading to the general public and more and more people are aware that Gluten is in wheat. This true but extremely limited knowledge (gluten is also found in all sorts of other cereal grains, additives, and commercial products) causes many people to believe that they can be supportive of their gluten-free friends or family members by simply not serving bread- how about rice with a generous helping of soya sauce (also high in gluten).

Living Gluten-Free For Dummies simplifies the complexity of a gluten-free diet. This isn't one of those I want to lose weight diets it's an all or nothing lifestyle that has to be followed to the letter to produce the best results. The good news is that living gluten-free isn't about going without. There are plenty of gluten-free options.
Profile Image for J. S. Seebauer.
Author 2 books183 followers
February 13, 2008
I must admit I am a fan at the "For Dummies" books. I find that they are well written, easy to read and overall enjoyable while presenting factual information on the topic at hand.

As a new patient of Celiac Disease and therefore the "Gluten Free" life, I found this the best book thus far that I have read or skimmed. It has the nuts-n-bolts about Celiac, from the health problems to the how to fix.

The book offers many suggestions on ways to approach the new diet including menus, recipes, eating out and ways to look at grocery shopping.

The best section for me was the one that dealt with the emotions of anger, despair and overwhelm.

I plan to add this book to my collection as a resource for myself, my family and friends.
Profile Image for Gretchen Schmidt Lusby.
41 reviews
December 1, 2011
This is the book that made me realize I had been living as a gluten-intolerant in a world of glutenous foods for 6 years. I'm so grateful for this book's helpful, humorous and honest writing, covering topics from the symptoms of a gluten intolerance to how to handle dinner parties with loads of foods you can't eat. I feel very prepared to take on this new lifestyle and confident that I can succeed.
Profile Image for Brooke.
55 reviews1 follower
March 19, 2012
This was a much appreciated resource for me when I became gluten-free. It gives great encouragement and advice--including recipes--on how to make the transition. It entertained and inspired me. I should be recommending this to more people--and buy it, so I can have it on hand to lend out. I think it'd also be a helpful read for people who would like to know more about the GF diet for a loved one, friend, etc. This book is especially suited for parents who have children who must eat GF.
Profile Image for Cecelia.
1 review3 followers
February 22, 2013
When I first found out I had a sensitivity to Gluten, I had no idea where to start in order to change my lifestyle and begin healing. A friend of mine with Celiac disease recommended this book to me because she found it very helpful. It's full of easy to understand information about the latest tests and research about the negative health effects gluten has on our immune, neurological, and digestive systems. This book assisted me in implementing the changes I had to make on my journey to health.
Profile Image for Tara.
23 reviews
May 19, 2014
If you're in NEED of going gluten-free then this is the book to read. The author wrote this based on her son having celiac disease. If you are just considering gluten-free as a way to have a healthier diet and possibly help with some minor ailments, but don't feel the need to be strict then you might want to consider reading a different book. The information is all good and backed by research resources, but heavily skewed toward people with celiac disease.
Profile Image for Crystel.
28 reviews
July 2, 2012
This book was amazing. A perfect beginner book for someone interested in a gluten free diet. It talks a bit about the paleolithic diet (which is gluten free) as well. It is educational and entertaining. It is interesting, uplifting and encouraging. The way the book is written, you can read the whole book or just select sections that interest you most. I'd definitely recommend this book.
Profile Image for Rebecca.
290 reviews12 followers
June 22, 2009
Good book. Lots of useful information and recipes. Lots of ideas on living gluten-free without having to buy so many specialty items. I'm still trying to get my husband to read it, but I think it'll take a few more pushes for that to happen.
3 reviews3 followers
November 19, 2009
This book is a must read if you are living on a gluten free diet, thinking about switching over or you know someone living on a gluten free diet.

This is the most informative book I have read about gluten free living, and it is filled with great recipes.
Profile Image for Lisa Hale.
20 reviews1 follower
July 23, 2012
Fantastic guide and a must have when starting the Gluten Free lifestyle. The advice is homey and down to Earth. I know I will be referring to this book over and over and over as my family goes down the Gluten Free/Casein Free diet path.
Profile Image for Grace Jensen.
125 reviews7 followers
December 6, 2013
Very informative.

While a lot of the information is redundant, and some of it seemed like extreme advice, it's a wonderful resource and alarmingly accurate. I specifically got this because it is in the For Dummies series.
Profile Image for NYBookDragon.
123 reviews2 followers
January 6, 2018
I really like the "...for Dummies" books and this one did not disappoint. It was very informative, gave lots of resources and cleared some things up for me! On to the next chapter of my life...
Profile Image for Tina.
601 reviews35 followers
December 21, 2018
I borrowed this from the library but now I have read it, I found it good enough to buy for my own reference.
Profile Image for Dee.
267 reviews3 followers
October 14, 2021
who knew this book would be enjoyable!? Light tone and written like talking to a friend.
Profile Image for Lara happy_spinster_reads.
257 reviews9 followers
May 26, 2019
My food intolerance test came back with a sensitivity to gluten and this book was exactly what I needed to wrap my brain around this new lifestyle.

I found it helpful on every level from the nutrition to the ordering out in restaurants. There are plenty of resources given that help made me feel that I wasn’t alone out there.

There’s even a chapter devoted to the emotional needs of changing to a gluten free lifestyle.
Profile Image for Cindy Marie Martin.
Author 3 books25 followers
March 25, 2019
I read this book many years ago. I enjoyed this book for the way it put things in simple terms.
Profile Image for Steven Thomas.
128 reviews1 follower
December 2, 2024
I love how this book goes beyond being just a simple cookbook, but also goes deep into how to “live” the lifestyle while not isolating yourself in a bubble and how not to be a snob about it.
113 reviews
February 18, 2025
Very informative and east to understand. Some good ideas and recipes. Worthwhile read
Profile Image for Dani.
96 reviews
January 10, 2021
Lots of wonderful information on what gluten actually is and how to start the journey towards gluten free living...my main complaint is that most (if not all) of the recipes included were for experienced cooks. As a gluten-free living beginner, I was hoping for some less overwhelming options on what I can eat.
Profile Image for Shelly.
106 reviews6 followers
July 22, 2024
Good resource for anyone wanting to learn all of the groundwork in one place about gluten-free living. I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease 3 years ago and lived undiagnosed for many years before based on the symptoms I experienced. I wish I had found this book earlier and it would have been more beneficial to me. I do remember thinking there were a few things, strictly based off my personal experience with Celiac and living gluten-free, that I did not 100% agree with in this book, but we are all different in our paths and journeys, and the authors journey has been through research and study due to her son's diagnosis. Besides that I feel this is a good resource for anyone new to this lifestyle who wants basic info just starting out (not necessarily Celiac, just gluten-free living), but do your own additional research as well, and maybe keep a food journal. I don't remember if that was touched on in this book. From personal experience, food journaling is a wonderful way to track every morsel of food and drink you put into your mouth at the exact time of day you consumed it and what gastrointestinal effect it may have had on you. Even gluten-free foods still give me issues.
810 reviews132 followers
June 30, 2010
I found this to be a good reference with OK recipes. For gluten free recipes the whole family will eat I like Make It Fast, Cook It Slow: The Big Book of Everyday Slow Cooking more than this book . . . I kept it on the shelf for reference for the last month. I'm being tested tomorrow for Celiac and I imagine based on what the results of the test are whether I go out and buy a plethora of Celiac-themed books.
Profile Image for Katie.
5 reviews1 follower
February 20, 2012
A friend gave me this book a few days after I found out that gluten could no longer be a part of my diet. It was a helpful first step in learning about eating a gluten free diet. Since I've been diagnosed there seem to be a ton of cookbooks out there with more challenging and creative dishes but this is a great way to ease into the gluten free lingo and basic dishes.
Profile Image for Jody.
67 reviews1 follower
May 31, 2016
Family members were gluten-free, but I needed some help to get started. This book was helpful.

It is written in the funny "dummy" style of quips, jokes and white space. Every question I thought of was answered in it. What is allowed -- what to watch out for -- eating out -- snacks -- all here. There was a recipe section as well.
7 reviews
January 29, 2009
I am finding this book very helpful while still learning to deal with my wheat allergy. I have other wheat free and gluten free books, but this one breaks it down into an easy to find/reference way.

It also simplifies those medical explanations! I need a little simplification.
Profile Image for Camille.
24 reviews
July 12, 2009
I enjoyed this book, it's entertaining and upbeat. The author is earthy and no-nonsense and gives helpful informational advice and recipes for living gluten-free. This is a very good basic reference book for this lifestyle.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews

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