The 5-day gluten-free meal plan you've got to try

Thinking of going gluten-free? People who are sensitive to gluten — a protein found in wheat, barley and rye — can have irritable-bowel symptoms like diarrhea, cramping and bloating, as well as joint pain, acid reflux, skin problems and migraines, says Dr. Esther Konigsberg, medical director at Integrative Medicine Consultants, who adds that a gluten-free diet can change the lives of those with celiac disease. (For more information, go to celiac.ca)

This plan is for five days, but not eating gluten for two to four weeks is ideal. Make sure to read labels carefully for this plan.

MONDAY Breakfast 6 oz plain 0% Greek yogurt, topped with 1 cup cherries and 15 whole almonds.

Lunch Warm chicken and apple salad.

Snack 1 cup veggie sticks and 1/4 cup hummus.

Dinner
Sticky honey-ginger chicken with 1/2 cup brown rice and 1 cup steamed vegetables.

TUESDAY Breakfast
Gluten-free buckwheat pancakes (shown at top).

Lunch
Colourburst citrus chicken salad.

Snack 1 apple and 1.5 oz low-fat cheddar cheese, like Allegro.

Dinner
Grilled side of salmon with 1/2 cup wild rice and a tossed side salad with 2 tbsp salad dressing.

WEDNESDAY Breakfast 1 poached egg and 1.5 oz low-fat cheddar cheese on 1/2 gluten-free English muffin.

Lunch
Crunchy marinated fall salad.

Snack 3/4 cup steamed edamame.

Dinner
Sticky honey-ginger chicken with 1/2 cup brown rice and 1 cup steamed vegetables. (Healthy tip: Skip the salt.)

THURSDAY
Breakfast
Fresh vegetable omelette with lentils.

Lunch Warm chicken and apple salad.

Snack 5 oz 0% plain Greek yogurt, with 2 tsp flaxseeds, 6 whole almonds and ¼ cup blueberries stirred in, and topped with ½ tsp honey.

Dinner
Trout Provencale en papillotte with 1/2 cup sautéed red pepper and 1/2 cup zucchini, plus 1/2 cup quinoa.

FRIDAY Breakfast Smoothie made from 1 cup water, 30 g protein powder, 1/4 cup blackberries, 1/2 cup blueberries, 1/2 cup raspberries, 1 1/2 tsp flaxseed oil.

Lunch
Colourburst citrus chicken salad. (Healthy tip: Skip the salt.)

Snack 3/4 cup berries and 6 almonds.

Dinner
Pistachio-crusted salmon with 1/2 cup cooked quinoa, plus a side salad with 2 tbsp salad dressing.

For a printable PDF of this gluten-free meal plan click here.

Dr. Esther Konigsberg is the medical director at Integrative Medicine Consultants. Cynthia Love is a nutritionist at Burlington's Natural Expectations.