There’s a certain beauty in simplicity, isn’t there? That one small change in your routine—like deciding to wake up just a few minutes earlier, or embracing a hot cup of tea in the afternoon—that can make your entire day seem brighter and even a bit more manageable.

For those of us living a gluten-free life, it often comes as a surprise that the shift to gluten-free doesn’t necessarily mean a shift to complexity. In fact, to make your gluten-free journey more enjoyable and less overwhelming, I propose embracing simplicity. We call this strategy “the simplified gluten-free kitchen”.

What do I mean by simplified?

Well, think about your kitchen right now. What do you see? Maybe it’s crammed to the brim with a mix of gluten-free and non-gluten-free products. Maybe you have different flours, one for each type of baked good you make. Or, maybe you have spices and sauces you bought for a single recipe and have never touched since. Whether we realise it or not, our kitchens can sometimes get cluttered, causing confusion and stress.

Unfortunately, when it comes to gluten-free living, this clutter can be more than just an inconvenience—it can also lead to accidental contamination and the accidental consumption of gluten.

So today, let’s dive into how to simplify your gluten-free kitchen.

**The first step: Decluttering.**

Turn on some relaxing music, pour yourself a cup of tea, and let’s tackle this together. Start by setting aside everything in your kitchen that contains gluten. This could include bread, pasta, sauces, spices, and canned goods—basically, anything that lists wheat, barley, rye, or any of their derivatives in the ingredients. This step is well covered in our [Understanding Ingredients: A Guide for Gluten-Free Beginners](https://easyglutenfree/ingredients-beginners-guide).

If you live with others who eat gluten, designate a separate area in your kitchen for those items. By creating a gluten-free zone, you minimize the risk of cross-contaminations.

Then, inspect every item in your gluten-free zone. Ask yourself, “when was the last time I used this?” If the answer is “I can’t remember”, it may be time to let it go. Out with the old and in with the new, right?

**The second step: Simplifying.**

Once your kitchen is decluttered, it’s time to focus on simplifying. Invest in kitchen staples that can serve multiple purposes. There are many ingredients that are naturally gluten-free and incredibly versatile. These should be the stars of your kitchen!

For instance, rice, a humble kitchen staple, can be transformed into a variety of dishes. From [fluffy rice pilaf](https://easyglutenfree/rice-pilaf-recipe), to creamy rice pudding, or even a thickener for soups – it’s a real kitchen champion.

Spices, too, play a key role. With just a few basic ones (like cumin, coriander, turmeric, paprika, and chili) you can create a variety of delicious, multi-cultural dishes that will never leave your taste buds bored.

**The third step: Planning and Prepping.**

If you’ve read our [Tips for Meal Planning on a Gluten-Free Diet](https://easyglutenfree/meal-planning-guide), then you already know the importance of planning ahead. Meal planning and prepping can be a game-changer for gluten-free cooking, saving you time, money, and reducing waste in the process.

First, choose a day in the week for meal planning and take note of what ingredients you already have. Aim for simplicity and versatility in choosing your meals. Then make a shopping list based on your meal plan—stick to it to avoid impulse purchases.

On your meal prep day, cook some basics like rice, roast vegetables, or bake some chicken. Having prepped ingredients ready to go can simplify meal times and reduce the temptation of resorting to less healthy, gluten-containing alternatives.

**The fourth step: Embracing Simplicity.**

Finally, after decluttering, simplifying, and prepping, the most important step is to truly embrace simplicity. Find the joy in the fewer, more versatile ingredients. Take pride in your organized, uncluttered kitchen. Allow yourself the time to enjoy the process of cooking your meals, knowing it promotes not just your physical well-being, but also your mental health.

Everyone’s journey with a gluten-free lifestyle is unique, and what works for one person might not work for another. But if there’s one universal truth, it’s this: a simplified kitchen can go a long way towards making a gluten-free lifestyle that much more easy, enjoyable, and achievable.

Remember; declutter, simplify, plan, prep, and embrace. Your kitchen should be your haven, not a source of stress. And soon enough, you will find that living gluten-free in a simplified kitchen can be not just manageable, but downright enjoyable.

**Category: Health & Wellness**