Simple and Smart ways to kick gluten out of your diet for good (without missing anything.)
Removing wheat and gluten out of your diet can change your life (if you are wheat or gluten sensitive). Truthfully, often humans don’t digest gluten well. The undigested portions of wheat begin to ferment, producing gas and an acidic environment. Additionally, gluten can be pro-inflammatory. Since it is rapidly converted to sugar, it can cause a rise in the body’s insulin levels. Consequently, gluten can be a key contributor to leaky gut and can even create an autoimmune response in the body.
Benefits
By eliminating gluten, you may see an improvement in your digestion, brain fog, and overall endocrine system, including the thyroid. Often the easiest way to remove gluten from your life is to skip the processed foods altogether. This includes bread, baked goods, cereals, cookies, crackers, etc. The great news is there are delicious substitutions for all of your favorites!
Tips and substitutions for wheat/gluten
Breakfast
- Instead of cereal containing wheat, try a yummy paleo granola like Thrive Market’s Maple Pancake Granola. Our experts also love the Freedom cereals as they are higher in protein with the use of a variety of ancient grains and beans.
- Do you crave a good English Muffin for breakfast? We love Glutino’s brand.
Meals
- Love Mexican night? Instead of flour tortillas, try corn tortillas or these delicious Food for Life brown rice tortillas. We LOVE crisping these tortillas up to use as a pizza crust or a tostada. Siete taco shells are equally as good (and might just change your life.) Check out this easy pizza recipe as well!
- Our experts think the best gluten-free bread on the planet is Canyon Bakehouse, but we also like Schar Artisan Baker Multigrain Bread. Udi’s is also readily available in most grocery stores.
- Love a good charcuterie board? Stock up on these snacky essentials like Lundbuerg crackers, Simple Mills crackers, From the Ground Up cauliflower crackers (that seriously taste like cheese-its), Mary’s Gone Crackers and Blue Diamond Almond NutThins.
- Do you have Italian in your blood? We have got you covered on the pasta front too. Ancient Harvest and Jovial both make great gluten-free pasta. Luckily, now you can go into the pasta aisle and find pasta made from all kinds of ingredients like lentils, beans, brown rice, quinoa, kale, broccoli, and chickpeas to name a few. Try topping the past with this amazing tomato sauce!
Dessert
- Love desserts and pastries like cherry pie? King Arthur makes a great pie crust you can find in the freezer. We also love Bob’s Red Mill pie crust.
- Cookie addict? These Hail Merry cookies may just change your life and will never leave you wishing for a gluten-filled cookie.
- These pop-n-go donuts are a fun homemade treat.
Remember, with gluten substitutes, some things you will love, and others might taste a lot like cardboard. Be patient with the process of upgrading your pantry. We hope our suggestions give you the perfect start!
