For those that have to follow a gluten-free diet to manage certain conditions such as celiac disease, eating can feel like a chore. You have to read every label and make sure no gluten is present to prevent symptoms that could cause pain and gut health problems. Fortunately, over the years, more gluten-free products have come about and taste more delicious than ever. So much so that you will barely miss their gluten-containing counterparts that you may have enjoyed before. Read below to learn more about who needs to follow a gluten-free lifestyle as well as information on delicious gluten-free products you can add to your daily routine today.
Who needs to follow a gluten-free lifestyle?
Gluten-free living has become a wellness trend recently that many claim to help improve their gut health and enhance weight loss efforts. But the truth is that these claims are unproven and such a diet should not be used by a person unless their health status warrants it.
Those with conditions such as celiac disease, wheat allergy, or non-celiac gluten sensitivity must limit gluten in their diet to help prevent and manage symptoms that impact their quality of life. Those with irritable bowel syndrome may also benefit from a gluten-free diet. However, those without such conditions should not think that such a diet will help them achieve optimal health since many gluten-free food products are not enriched with iron, folate, and fiber. Therefore, over time, nutrient deficiencies may occur if one is not monitoring their diet very closely.
Gluten-free foods you can enjoy today
No matter what type of food you are looking to enjoy, there are plenty of delicious gluten-free products that will help make gluten-free living easier. Read below to learn about some of the foods that I have found recently that I highly recommend adding to your daily routine today.
gF Jules Gluten-free flours
Voted #1 of the gluten-free flour products in 2021, gf Jules is a product line that includes all-purpose flour and cake flour as well as cookie, cornbread, and muffin mixes, to name a few. I tried the all-purpose flour and made the dairy-free modified buttermilk biscuit recipe listed on the website.
Using the rough pastry method listed on the recipe page, I was able to create a flaky and fluffy biscuit that tasted better than some gluten-containing biscuits I have had in the past before my digestive issues began.
I am eager to try some of the other gf Jules mixes in the near future to fulfill my cravings for baked goods.
Schar Gluten-free Products
Schar gluten-free products are my favorite pre-prepared gluten-free bread and crackers. This brand includes anything from sliced bread, hamburger and hot dog rolls, sandwich rolls, and ciabatta bread, to crispy and buttery crackers. You have to make sure though that you follow the instructions carefully since gluten-free bread products will need to be refrigerated once opened and you will have to use within 2-3 days of opening for the best freshness.
I enjoy the ciabatta or sandwich rolls sliced and spread with plant-based butter, then toasted for about a minute or two in a stovetop pan. Tastes delicious alone or as a side to your breakfast protein, as sandwich bread for lunch, or with your dinner entree.
Sweet Diane's Granola
Gluten-free cereals and granolas can sometimes lack flavor or a palatable texture. But Sweet Diane's changes all of that with their amazing crunchy and flavorful granola. From original flavor to blueberry almond and cranberry orange, there is a flavor of granola for just about every palate. I enjoyed using the granola as a topper for my yogurt parfait for breakfast or a snack to provide extra crunch. You can also use it as a topper on oatmeal, diced fruit, or alone as a nutritious snack. Each 1/4 cup serving contains just 150 calories, 40 milligrams of sodium, along with 2 grams of fiber and 3 grams of protein.
Congo Tropicals Plantain Chips
If you love chips, but are having a hard time finding a gluten-free one that doesn't taste bland, then you will love Congo Tropicals plantain chips. With just enough added salt to enhance the natural flavor of the plantains, and the crunchiness you look for in a snack chip, these plantain chips are an ideal snack for a gluten-free lifestyle. Each 32-gram serving of the salted chips contains just 120 calories, 15 milligrams of sodium, and 2 grams of sugar along with 2 grams of natural fiber with no trans fat.
Other delicious gluten-free cracker options I recommend include Blue Diamond Nut-Thins and Good Thins which are rice flour-based cracker snacks.
Your Super Powders
If you want to add an extra boost to your breakfast smoothie, then you should definitely try some of the Your Super powders. I personally prefer the Gut Restore and Moon Balance, but there are a variety of flavors to choose from including energizing mixes like Energy Bomb, specialized smoothie mix-ins like Super Greens, or coffee alternatives like Super Brew. Gut Restore includes probiotic compounds like celery, Jerusalem artichoke, apple, and ginger to help support gut health, while Moon Balance contains compounds like Maca, HIbiscus, and Beetroot to support women's health. There are instructions on the container to mix with water for a cool drink, but in my opinion, the powders are more palatable mixed into fruit smoothies as a nutrient boost to your breakfast or snack.
Jovial Pasta Products
If you're craving pasta, and have been met with mushy gluten-free pastas before, then look no further. Jovial pasta products are not award-winning for no reason. This brown rice pasta product is artisan crafted in Italy and, when cooked per the instructions, has the al dente texture that pasta is meant to have. My favorites are the penne and spaghetti. You will never know you are eating gluten-free pasta. And at 2 grams fiber and 5 grams protein per 2-oz dry serving, this pasta product is a nutritious part of a balanced eating plan too.
Annie's Gluten-free Granola Bars
If you want to enjoy a chewy snack, but are having a hard time finding a tasty treat, then try the gluten-free version of Annie's Chewy Granola bars. I love the double chocolate chip flavor, but if you shop online, you can also find oatmeal cookie flavor too. With 3 grams fiber per bar and just 7 grams sugar, this is a healthy and satisfying snack to enjoy in between meals alone or chopped up and used as a topper for yogurt or oatmeal.
These are just a shortlist of the wonderful gluten-free food products that are on shelves in your local grocery store right now. In my experience, I have found that if your local grocery store does not carry a product you love, then check out the product website to find out "Where to Buy" a certain product or check a natural foods store like Whole Foods, Sprouts, or Natural Grocers, for example, to see if they carry it.
For more product reviews and nutrition advice and tips, check out other articles on the Lighttrack Nutrition blog or my Instagram site @lighttrack_dietitian. And for recipes, check out my cookbook and smoothie recipe book on Amazon.com.