Whether it's due to a diet fad or various health-related concerns, the shift to eating gluten-free has become commonplace. A couple of months ago, I found myself climbing into the same boat as all the other gluten-free dieters to help with my own health conditions. I already had experience cutting out dairy from my food repertoire, but banishing gluten is its own journey.

If you find yourself cutting out the grainy villain, it can seem overwhelming.Thankfully, there are a lot of accessible options out there. So, take a deep breath and check out these tips from someone who's been there.

1. Get to know your grocery store or market.

Publix has an entire aisle dedicated to (mostly) gluten-free foods. Unfortunately, even that glorious aisle isn't a one-stop shop. If you prefer to do your searching digitally, you can make a shopping list on their website and it will tell you where to find your products in-store. No matter where you shop, learn where your products are to curtail any market meltdowns.

2. Figure out if cross-contact matters for you.

Cross-contact happens when an item is gluten-free, but is handled or prepared with the same equipment used on gluten-containing foods. The reason behind your diet change is going to determine if you need to be mindful of this or not. It may seem overboard for some, but even super small amounts of gluten can cause harm to those with celiac disease and allergies.

3. CHECK THE INGREDIENTS LIST AND LABELS.

This can be tricky. Foods that carry a gluten-free label must meet FDA requirements, but the label is voluntary. That means foods that don't have the label may still be safe for you to eat. To make sure, you need to check the ingredients list for gluten-containing grains and their derivatives. Even if it passed the ingredients test, cross-contact is still possible unless otherwise noted.

4. Beware of common items that seem harmless, but are secret gluten ninjas.

Foods that are naturally gluten-free can become double-agents due to fillers, flavorings, or processes. Don't worry, this list has got your back.

5. Get all the recipes because if you weren't cooking before, you will be now.

Cooking your own meals gives you peace of mind and saves you money. Pinterest is a treasure trove of recipes for all kinds of dietary needs.

6. Gluten-free pasta and gluten-free bread is my life-saver.

Seriously, my mom's spaghetti is my ultimate comfort food and there's no way I'm giving up one-pot pasta meals or sandwiches. There's a pretty wide range of gluten-free pastas and breads available, so decide which ones favor your wallet and taste buds best. My favorite so far is Udi's frozen bread and Barilla's pasta.

7. Re-learn how to eat out.

One of the biggest struggles with eating gluten-free is figuring out what you can enjoy at restaurants. My best advice - research ahead of time (if you can) and don't be bashful about asking questions. Many eateries now offer gluten-free or allergen-friendly menus and are happy to accommodate you.

8. Find your go to snacks.

Some of your favorite snack foods may not be safe anymore, but it's just an opportunity to expand your second breakfast/elevenses/afternoon tea game. My favorite so far is gluten-free fig bars. It helps take a little bit of the pressure off of trying to decide what to eat.

9. Consider starting a food journal.

Food journals help you track down how gluten affects you, the amount you can tolerate, and determine if a gluten-free diet is helping or not.

10. Follow gluten-free lifestyle gurus on social media.

There are people who are collecting gold-mines of information and you can keep them right in your pocket. Their posts can give you new ideas and point you in the right direction for products and local restaurants. They're real-life superheros.

With some creativity, some constructive failures, and some patience, you will figure out what works best for you. While changing my diet certainly hasn't magically cured anything for me, it has given me the guidelines I needed to choose healthier food. Your body will thank you.