If you've read this far and are a bit overwhelmed by the many foods you'll need to eliminate, don't stress. Once you correctly identify the grain-filled ingredients and recipes you enjoy weekly, you can better determine how to replace those ingredients with grain free ones. With more and more individuals choosing to follow a grain free diet, finding substitutions and replacements for traditional recipes has become much easier.
To follow a grain free diet properly, foods like bread, pasta, muesli, cereal, oatmeal and other types of cereal grains will need to be replaced with grain free food. Luckily, many grain free diets allow you to enjoy small amounts of pseudocereals like quinoa, amaranth and buckwheat. While these foods can be enjoyed similarly to grains, they are not considered grains themselves.
When following a grain free diet, there are many restrictions surrounding grain-containing foods. However, there is very little regarding non-grain-based foods like fruits, vegetables, fish, nuts, eggs, fats and dairy. As long as your body reacts well to the foods above, it's perfectly fine to enjoy them on a grain free diet.
Now that you've learned the potential benefits of going grain free, it's time to learn about some of the cons. When beginning a grain free diet, it's crucial that you make nutrition your primary focus. Whole grains are rich in B vitamins, minerals and fiberall nutrients that are essential to your health. By eliminating all whole grains, you run the risk of not getting enough of these crucial nutrients which in return could negatively impact your health. As with any significant health change, it's essential to consult a health professional first when starting a grain free diet. By doing so, you can determine which foods you'll need to supplement into your diet to ensure that you're receiving all the necessary vitamins and minerals.
We've mentioned that grains are completely off-limits when following this type of diet. But what exactly qualifies as a grain. While this list doesn't encompass all grain-containing foods, it's a good representation of the most popular grain-filled ingredients you'll want to avoid.
If you're a fan of tortillas, there are several ways that you can continue to make your favorite wrapped foods entirely grain free. Grain free flours like Almond Flour and Organic Amaranth Flour can be used to make tortilla variations like these Keto Tortillas and Amaranth Tortillas. Or, you can skip the cooking part altogether and wrap your food in crunchy lettuce like iceberg or romaine. Aside from being sturdy enough to hold your food, lettuce is a great option when you're craving a more refreshing meal.
When beginning a gluten free diet, the crockpot will quickly become your cookware of choice. Choose a grain free recipe like this Crockpot Shredded Chicken Fajita Chili and pair it with a salad for a dinner that's overflowing with nutrients and flavor. An easy way to make mess-free and grain free meals, because all ingredients are added to and cooked in the crockpot, you'll have fewer dishes to clean after dinner is finished!
