Life without gluten, is it really the end? Gluten is a protein found in certain types of flours including wheat, barley, and rye. The problem is that some cannot digest this protein. Their symptoms can range from mild gluten intolerance to extremely severe challenges that lead to celiac disease. It is a condition that is not to be fooled around with. The way to deal with this health problem is to begin eating gluten-free, which is the end of an old life and the beginning of a new and exciting way of eating.
The first step to eating gluten-free is to gain a new attitude. The challenge is that Americans are bombarded with wheat-flour in everything from baked goods, fast food restaurants, and sit down meals at home. Frequently, bread is a common part of many meals out of the day. Wheat filled products are also sold and advertised everywhere. The new thinking that must emerge is, "It is okay if the body can no longer handle the gluten protein." Instead, searching for fun arrangements of food that do not contain this protein can be an adventurous beginning to a new way of eating.
What types of food are naturally gluten-free? The answer to that question is the keyword "naturally". Nature provides food in the state that the body can use for vitamins and nutrients. Begin with writing a list of all of the fruits and vegetables that are delicious. Being open-minded and trying new fruits and vegetables will help. Incorporating more fruits and vegetables into the diet will make this transition easier.
Next, think of all of the nuts and seeds that are good. Make a list of all of the combinations of nuts and seeds that tempt the taste buds (without all of the added oils and salt). Adding raisins and dark chocolate chips to the mixture can make a great snack, replacing gluten filled crackers. It is also more fulfilling to snack on personalized trail mixes than on quick carbohydrate snacks, which make it impossible to keep eating gluten-free.
If being a vegan is not the goal, there are many meats to choose from that are free of gluten. Beef, chicken, pork, fish, etc. can be added to any meal. A lunch or dinner containing a meat, vegetable, and fruit fills the appetite and provides sufficient energy throughout the remainder of the day. Getting creative with meat, vegetable, and fruit combinations can provide more variety. A good combination can include a meat piled on top of a hearty green salad, which will help with this new diet.
Finally, flour filled foods do not need to be a thing of the past. All the comfort foods that were so tempting do not need to be excluded. Instead, wheat, barley, and rye need to be replaced with gluten-free flour. That includes brown rice flour, potato starch, tapioca starch, millet flour, sorghum flour, etc. It takes some experimenting and research to figure out how to use these flours. They do not contain gluten and do not stick together as well. All of these flours by themselves do not replace wheat flour. There are certain combinations that work best according to personal preference. For example; brown rice flour, potato starch, and tapioca starch work together. Or, for a different flavor, millet, sorghum, and tapioca can be combined. Have fun experimenting to make the right combinations that result in a flour worth baking with.
Eating gluten-free does not mean that life is over. It is simply an end to a new and adventurous beginning. It first begins with changing attitudes and misconceptions. It will require being open-minded and experimental with new food combinations. Begin the journey by recognizing that consuming natural gluten-free foods will make it easier to live this new lifestyle. Finally, seeking out gluten-free flours and experimenting will satisfy the need for old comfort foods. The possibilities for eating gluten-free are endless. Embrace this new way of life and enjoy it.
Jennifer Rigby invites you to visit Natural Cooking Recipes at http://www.naturalcookingrecipes.com/. While there, check out all of the natural recipes that fit your lifestyle. These recipes range from natural recipes, gluten-free recipes, and dairy-free recipes. If you are looking for specific gluten-free dairy-free recipes, follow this link http://www.naturalcookingrecipes.com/category/natural-gluten-free-dairy-free-recipes/.
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