Quincy Turner felt overwhelmed initially when she changed to a gluten-free diet. Planning meals without gluten felt unattainable as a working marketing executive juggling job, travel, and family. She discovered a rhythm, though, by trial and error—a means of eating great, gratifying food without spending hours in the kitchen.
For Quincy, simplicity was everything. Rather than complicate her meals, she concentrated on nutritious ingredients that would naturally fit a gluten-free diet. “I used to believe I needed particular gluten-free products for everything,” she explains. But everything became simpler once I started paying close attention to actual, entire foods.
Usually a smoothie loaded with protein, healthy fats, and fibre, her breakfast starts her day quickly and powerfully. “I toss some almond milk, a banana, a handful of spinach, peanut butter, and chia seeds,” she says. It takes less than five minutes and makes me full for hours.
She makes ahead salads or grain bowls utilising naturally gluten-free foods including quinoa, chickpeas, grilled chicken, and roasted vegetables for lunch. “I make a large batch on Sundays and toss it around the week using several dressings,” Quincy says.
Dinner is all about effectiveness. She depends on basic one-pan dishes like roasted salmon with sweet potatoes, stir-fried prawns on rice noodles, or a substantial vegetable soup. She explains, trying to create double quantities so she has leftovers. It helps me avoid last-minute anxiety.
Quincy acknowledges that dining out presented one of the toughest obstacles of following a gluten-free diet. “I first felt limited, but I learnt to ask questions and stick to naturally gluten-free choices.” She now boldly orders rice-based meals, fresh salads, and grilled meats, avoiding sauces maybe containing concealed gluten.
Her best advice for everyone following a gluten-free diet? Make advance plans. She notes that people struggle when they are busy since it is easy to take whatever is handy. But it’s quite doable with a little preparation.
Quincy’s gluten-free schedule grew second nature with time. She not only feels less bloated and more energised but also finds foods and flavours she never would have sampled before. “It’s not about restriction,” she notes. “It’s about discovering what works for your body and customising it into your way of life.”
