Gluten free
About 1% of Americans suffer from celiac disease, which seriously affects the small intestine and makes it intolerant of gluten, the protein combination that makes bread rise and gives it texture and bulk. In addition, a significant part of the population has chosen to replace natural and processed foods that contain gluten with gluten-free substitutes.
There are many packaged products available at the market that are gluten-free but you can easily make your own at home. With a few ingredient substitutions and minimal recipe alterations, many gluten-free dishes are as tasty as the originals and won’t offend the people you know who have chosen this alternative diet choice.
Gluten-Free Breakfasts
Gluten-free breakfasts are easy to prepare since fresh meat like pork chops, beef steaks, and freshly ground sausage have no gluten, and eggs and fruit are gluten-free, so the only breakfast food you need to alter is the starch. Bake up a few loaves of gluten-free bread using rice flour or mix up a batch of gluten-free pancakes or waffles with blueberries or roasted nuts in them or topped with your favorite seasonal fruit. If you can’t bear the thought of pancakes or waffles without syrup, opt for golden gluten-free syrup or top the tasty stack with molasses or black treacle. Add a side of cottage cheese and a glass of freshly squeezed juice for a balanced, gluten-free meal. There are even recipes for indulgent cinnamon rolls and satisfying breakfast breads that don’t have a trace of gluten in them.
Midday Munchies
Pair a tossed garden salad flavored with store-bought dressing or make your own oil and vinegar dressing, both ingredients of which are gluten-free, with a hearty sandwich made with sliced deli meat stacked between two slices of gluten-free bread. You don’t have to forego pizza if you eliminate gluten from your diet, as there are many gluten-free pizza recipes you can top with vegetables, fresh meat, and your choice of natural cheeses. On chilly days, warm yourself up with a steaming bowl of gluten-free soup, stew, or chili.
Delightful Dinners
Gluten-free certainly doesn’t mean taste-free. Gluten-free dinners can be delicious and include favorites like pasta entrees, chicken favorites such as chicken and dumplings or pot pie, or pork and beef dishes such as chile verde or beef stew. Freshly steamed green or yellow vegetables are excellent gluten-free sides, as are mashed potatoes, turnips, and parsnips. Bake some gluten-free homemade rolls from potato flour. Add essential natural oils and extra protein to dinner with entrees of fish and shellfish, all gluten
