Whether you've been diagnosed with celiac disease, gluten allergy or are merely trying to eliminate processed grains from your diet, transitioning to a gluten free diet will help. When it comes to gluten-filled foods, many of them are carb-heavy, and some are processed and filled with simple carbohydrates. Two of the most popular gluten-filled foods are bread and pasta. Now, we know what you may be thinking, what is a dinner without pasta and bread on the menu? While going gluten free doesn't mean you have to give up your favorite foods, it does mean that you'll need to make some adjustments. Luckily, countless gluten free substitutes and options on the market allow you to create your favorite dishes sans gluten.
One of the quickest (and healthiest) ways to go gluten free is by limiting your intake of gluten-containing carbs. Cutting processed, refined and simple carbs from your diet will help you steer clear of gluten and prevent you from consuming unnatural ingredients and additives. Once refined, foods often provide little nutritional value. This is because the refining process usually removes the healthiest part of the grain and the vitamins, complex carbohydrates and fiber found in it. Not sure what a refined carb is? Think cookies, candy, soda and chips.
Thankfully, there are several gluten free healthy carb options for you to choose from. Eating natural, wholesome carbs is a great way to ensure that your body is getting proper nutrition, and they're especially great for individuals sticking to a plant-based diet. Peppers, carrots, tomatoes and leafy green vegetables all have a bit of carbs in them and make a great addition to any healthy meal.
If you can't fathom giving up your favorite after-dinner sweets, we have a solution. Making delicious gluten free desserts are easy with just a few swaps. By swapping out the flour, using natural sweeteners, and skipping over any gluten-filled ingredients, you can make delicious desserts like these Grain Free Peppermint Brownies with little to no effort at all! Not a fan of chocolate? Don't worry. This Apple Cranberry and Walnut Galette is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Now, what to do about starches. If you're a fan of starches and want to continue to include them in your diet, there are plenty of great-for-you grains that are gluten free. Eating more complex varieties of grains will allow you to achieve the same great flavor while also loading your body up on fiber and nutrients. Check out a few of our favorite gluten free grain alternatives:
Amaranth is a gluten free grain that offers up a wide array of health benefits. Jam-packed with minerals and amino acids, it is an ideal substitute for rice, soups and can even be made into porridge. Looking for a fun way to enjoy amaranth, try popping it like popcorn to create a unique treat.
Going gluten free doesn't mean you have to give up popcorn! An excellent snack substitute, popcorn is loaded with good-for-you nutrients. Just be sure to top it with something healthy!
For a mouthwatering popcorn recipe that will surely curb your cravings try this Cinnamon Bun Popcorn.
While it may be tempting to get a bit more spread/dip on your snacks, you must avoid double-dipping and encourage those eating with you to do so as well. As we mentioned, even small traces of crumbs can cause harm to those with celiac disease. When possible, purchase condiments in squeeze jars. If squeeze jars aren't available, then it's time to set a "one dip" rule in the household. When double-dipping is involved, breadcrumbs can be found in peanut butter jars, mayonnaise jars and even in butter. Making sure that these condiments remain free of gluten will save you and others a lot of trouble.
From reading labels to swapping in gluten free grain alternatives, we hope these tips help you when eliminating gluten from your diet. While any lifestyle change can be hard at first, it's undoubtedly for the better if it improves your health. From everyone at Bob's Red Mill, we wish you the best on your gluten free journey.
