You may have heard of people going gluten-free recently, another food craze that can be a little hard to understand. The choice can be made for a multitude of reasons, but commonly it’s for an allergy, or just to eat healthier! For those of you that don’t know what gluten is, it is a protein found in wheat, barley, rye, malts, and triticale. To put it simply: no bread, pasta, cakes, cookies…or even beer!
Now this may seem absolutely crazy to some of you, but there are actually a lot of benefits that come from going gluten-free. Although it is really hard to avoid foods that have flour in them, since so many of the things we love are made with it, it is possible! Many people that have a wheat allergy are forced to avoid related products, with fear of stomach cramping and other results. Other people simply eliminate the protein so that they can feel healthier and lose weight. We all know that limiting intake of breads, baked desserts, and pasta is good for weight loss, but it can still be very difficult.
When going gluten-free, you really have to stick with it and realize that there are so many other options to eat! One of the most common ways is through rice products. There are many types of cereal, crackers, and even pasta that are made with rice instead of flour. One of my favorites is Amy’s Gluten-free Macaroni and Cheese made with rice noodles. It is also possible to get a substantial meal with products like quinoa or wild rice.
