With these 5 substitutes, you won’t miss the gluten
Although we'd like to believe otherwise, man (or woman!) cannot live on waffles alone. Yet, when you are diagnosed with Celiac disease, it may seem impossible to enjoy a wide range of good-tasting, good-for-you foods.
Don't lose heart. It is possible to find foods that fill out a balanced diet that’s gluten-free and satisfying.
Nature is happy to help. She has provided a list of grains that fit a gluten-free lifestyle. Some may be unfamiliar – like amaranth or quinoa – while others might remind you of days gone by (think tapioca pudding). But all can provide a great tasting substitute to wheat flour.
Quinoa, as we mentioned a few days back, is a great replacement for pasta and makes a delicious cold salad when tossed with red and green pepper, broccoli florets, tomato and a little olive oil and lemon. Amaranth makes a great breakfast cereal when cooked with apple juice and raisins. Polenta can be eaten as a side dish or a meal. Corn tortillas, rice, rice pudding, grits, hominy, corn bread. They’re all gluten free, naturally. (One note on these tasty gluten-free foods – read the packaging closely. Manufacturers can add ingredients that aren’t gluten free, and while amaranth, quinoa and polenta are naturally perfect for gluten-free eaters, quinoa flakes and flour can be processed in the same facilities as wheat flour, risking cross contamination.)
More and more people are choosing a gluten-free diet for a myriad of reasons. As such, markets are stocking more and more substitutes to your favorite gluten-filled meals. Here are five favorites, as voted on by members of the Gluten Free Hub, www.glutenfreehub.com:
1. DeBoles Gluten Free Corn Spaghetti Style Pasta
2. Betty Crocker Gluten Free Yellow Cake Mix (check out how we doctor this to make Gluten-Free Red Velvet Cupcakes and Lemon Poppyseed Cupcakes)
3. Kinnikinnick KinniToos Chocolate Vanilla Sandwich Cookies (Just like Oreos!)
4. Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix
5. Kinnikinnick Cheese Tapioca Rice Bread (Makes excellent garlic bread to serve with the corn spaghetti)