Eating Gluten Free: Medical Conditions And Meal Ideas

I'm sure you’ve heard numerous health experts preach about going gluten free,  but do you have the slightest idea what gluten is? Gluten is a protein found in wheat. You likely grew up with wheat products around your home, such as bread and pastries, flour and snacks, and grew up just fine, right? Well… let’s just say things could have been even better.

The fact is, going gluten free is beneficial to our health, and more people should put thought into adopting this lifestyle.

This also means adapting your cooking style to the new ingredients; however, before we delve into some great gluten-free meal ideas, let’s have a quick look at the dangers of gluten in our diet.

Celiac Disease
This is a serious disease resulting from the immune system responding to gluten as a foreign body. The result is a breakdown in the lining of the intestinal system, making for bloody stools, poor nutrient absorption and excruciating pain in the abdominal region.

Brain Disorders
This is also related to the immune system developing a response to gluten and causing inflammation of surrounding organs. This can predispose the individual to serious neurological conditions like epilepsy.

Skin Diseases
Again, related to sensitizing autoimmune system. The result is damage to the cells of the skin and inflammatory rashes.

The pattern developing is that most of the effects of gluten are related to having a sensitive immune reaction to its consumption. Though originally thought of as rare to encounter this sensitivity, it is now known that more than a third of all people are sensitive to gluten.

Removing gluten from the diet may be beneficial to anyone, as it is not considered an essential source protein.

Ready to make delicious gluten free meals? Try these out as soon as you can!

Almond Flour Pancakes
These pancakes are the go to substitute for standard pancakes, as they are extremely filling and completely gluten free. They are also low in carbs, perfect for losing weight of if following a low carb lifestyle. Best of all? They take just 20 minutes to make!

What you need:
1 cup almond flour
1/4 cup water
2 eggs
1 tbsp maple syrup
1 teaspoon coconut oil
A sprinkle of salt

How to make it:
1.    Mix all ingredients except coconut oil in a medium-sized bowl, and whisk until fluffy and smooth.
2.    Heat a skillet over medium heat, add the oil, then drop a large spoon of batter into the pan.
3.    Let cook on each side for 3-5 minutes, being sure to flip once one side is browned.
4.    Repeat for other pancakes, then enjoy!

Satisfying Egg And Cheese Breakfast Quiche
Quiches have been, and will always remain, a classic. This one is unique as it does not require any flour at all. It is a high protein, high fat breakfast choice that is extremely filling.

What you need:
3/4 cup chopped, cooked ham
4 eggs
5 ounces Swiss cheese
3 ounces Parmesan cheese
1 cup Half and Half
1/2 cup chopped onions

How to make it:
1.    Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
2.    Mix dry ingredients and pour into a 9-inch pie dish.
3.    Mix eggs and cream, then pour over the dry ingredients.
4.    Bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes, then reduce heat to 350F and bake for another 35 minutes.
5.    Enjoy for breakfast or a snack.

Avocado Chicken Salad
A filling, healthy lunch option that is quick to make and delicious to boot. Not all fats are bad for you, as evidenced by the benefits avocado has on health.

What you need:
8 ounces chicken breast
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
Half of an avocado, diced
1 medium tomato, chopped
1/2 small red onion, chopped
1 teaspoon chopped parsley

How to make it:
1. Rub one tablespoon of olive oil over the chicken breast and grill over medium heat until lightly browned.
2. Mix remaining ingredients, then chop chicken breast or strip and mix into salad.
3. Consume immediately.

This is a great recipe when running late for lunch, as it takes just 20 minutes from start to finish!

Goat Cheese And Turkey Patties
Incorporating the unique flavor of goat cheese and the leanness of ground turkey, this makes a perfect complement to sweet potatoes or on a bed of veggies.

What you need:
1 1/2 pounds ground turkey breast
2 tablespoons crumbled goat cheese
1 cup chopped spinach

How to make it:
1. Preheat a griddle or skillet to medium-high heat. If using a skillet, add a tablespoon of olive oil.
2.  Combine all ingredients and form into 4 patties.
3. Cook on griddle for 15 minutes until golden brown or in skillet until done in the middle.

Gluten-free meal ideas are everywhere. The few outlines here are merely the tip of the iceberg. You can modify recipes you always make, by educating yourself to what foods contain gluten and excluding them.

Your health will thank you!