I love this book and need to finish this review today so that I can share my copy with a person who is considering the gluten free diet.

The author’s central point is that attitude is everything and that words shape those attitudes. Let me give you an example: Our goal is to eliminate all gluten from our diet. That is true, of course, but the wording evokes feeling of deprivation and despair. Elizabeth Hasselbeck takes a different approach: her goal is to replace gluten with things that are much better for her.I like that approach.

The author points out that cooking for a celiac is no picnic. My wife certainly agrees. And both would agree that life is much better in every way after the decision to go gluten free.

I googled the term "G Free diet"  and found nothing that did not relate to this book. Apparently, Elisabeth Hasselbeck coined the term. I hope it catches on. I like the sound of those words. Click on the bookcover in the right sidebqr to purchase The G Free Diet from The Gluten Free Mall.

Chapter 2 discusses celiac disease, an autoimmune disease that has very severe consequence  as described in chapter 3. These chapters are great, but there is little or no mention of celiac disease in the rest of the book. Celiac disease requires a lifelong commitment to the gluten free diet. It is very difficult and painful to test for celiac disease after a person is already gluten free. Of course, a person can follow a gluten free diet without being clinically diagnosed, but the information is often useful.

I suggest that you watch this video clip in which Elisabeth Hasselbeck is interviewed on Good Morning America. She talks about three groups of people who need the diet: persons with celiac disease, persons with gluten intolerance, and "everybody else". It also gives interesting insight into the author’s personality and her gluten free lifestyle.

UPDATE: I remain enthused about this book, but I just read a dissenting opinion that should be considered carefully by every person who is using it.

Published 05/25/09