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Thursday, July 16, 2015

Gluten-Free Whole Grains



As we gluten-free individuals know, despite all the cool restaurants and recipes and tips and tricks that are available to us, it can be easy to get into a dietary rut. I dont know about you all, but my ruts tend to revolve around the same rotation of foods, prepared the same way, week after week. With our busy schedules, I suppose its human nature to err on the side of comfort and convenience, rather than keeping things mixed up with only a little extra effort.

As it turns out, those rut or go-to foods arent always the best nutritional choices for us, and we could probably be preparing these healthier gluten-free meals in a more efficient manner, as well. The great news is, both of these problems can be solved a lot more easily than we might think!

Choosing Better Gluten-free Stuff

·         Find the whole grains! As you browse your local market for gluten-free goods, search the labels for the first ingredient listed. Bread, cereal, pasta and the like that are largely made from wild rice, brown rice, buckwheat, whole corn and other whole grains are more nutritious than refined grains.
·         Always go with enriched. Only select gluten-free brands enrich their products, but your body will know - and appreciate - the difference. Pro tip: B vitamins like thiamin, riboflavin and folic acid will appear on enriched foods' labels.

Preparing that Gluten-free Stuff

·         It's simple to cook whole grains! Much like rice, the finished product looks a lot more complicated than the process required to make it, actually is. Think of it like this: dry grain + pan + water / broth ... Boil ... Simmer until liquid is absorbed. Easy, right?!
·         Remember how your dad never used the instructions when he built your toys? Cooking grains is a lot like that! Cooking times can vary according to taste. If you like your pasta a little bit al dente style, then shorten up that cooking time. Want those whole grains tender? Add more liquid and keep cooking until it feels right to you. You are in control!

Some of these things may seem like common sense, but you may be surprised at how many of us don't step out of our meal routines for fear of the unknown. As you saw above, it doesn't have to be that way! Have more questions about how to healthily spice up your gluten-free menu at home? Check out these links!

http://wholegrainscouncil.org/files/CookingWholeGrainsGF.pdf
http://www.glutenfreedietitian.com/healthy-gluten-free-grains/

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