Check out my progress on Gluten-Free Feast
Earlier this afternoon, my Medical Nutrition Therapy class had a little gluten-free feast. In order to gain a better perspective of the kinds of foods available to our future clients needing gluten-free diets, we all tasted a variety of products marketed toward their needs. I had never personally tried any commercially prepared gluten-free products, so the foodie in me was pretty psyched to try something new. Here’s what was on the menu (along with my evaluation):
- Corn pasta: I hardly noticed any difference in texture in this product—aside from its vibrant yellow color, I probably wouldn’t have been able to distinguish it from regular old pasta.
- Brown rice pasta: Again, this pasta was shockingly similar to that of the wheat variety. The only minor distinction I noticed is that when I cooked the pasta, the cooking water turned opaque relatively quickly, indicating a leaching of the starch out of the pasta.
- Gluten-free sandwich bread: We tried the sandwich bread plain and toasted. I’ll be honest, this sandwich bread sans toasting was pretty unappealing. It was quite dense and moist—I can only imagine how difficult it would be to eat as a peanut butter sandwich! Toasting improved the texture, but I still wouldn’t eat it if I didn’t have to.
- Cheddar biscuits: I could tell these were going to be good from the moment I took a whiff of them in the oven (I had placed them in there to warm prior to serving). They were surprisingly fluffy and delightfully cheese-y. Just what a biscuit should be.
Have you ever tried any gluten-free products? Do you have a gluten sensitivity? How do you cope with your special dietary needs? I’d love to hear more about the gluten-free lifestyle.
Onto the grub!
Before heading to work and class, I made a quick waffle parfait.
I packed a random assortment of vegetables for lunch.
Unfortunately for Seth, our weeknight dinner date was pretty pathetic. I just relied on good ol’ eggs for supper-time protein. Mini-frittatas!
I’ve got so much work to do. Better get to it! Good night, lovelies.
Filed under: Meals
Caroline Yoder, dietitian-to-be and all-around foodie.
Cheddar biscuits? Yes please
I’m pretty sure if someone could make a light gluten free sandwich bread, they’d be rich. I haven’t even tried.
I’m gluten intolerant, so I loved reading about your gluten-less feast! I’ve always wondered why the water turns opaque so quickly when cooking rice pastas. What does it mean if starch leaves the pasta? (Any disadvantages?)
I found giving up gluten to be a relatively easy change. I experienced constant fatigue and stomach pains prior to going gluten-free, that once I got relief, I had no desire to go back. I have slip-ups, but I just deal with them and try to be more conscientious the next time!
I never make waffles but I want to just to make that parfait! Such a good idea! When I do have them (rare occasion when I crave the frozen kashi kind) I do top mine with Greek yogurt, fruit + nuts.
BroccoliHut Reply:
November 10th, 2011 at 4:42 pm
I used frozen waffles for my parfait too, the Van’s low-fat ones. I’ve never tried making the parfait with homemade waffles before…an idea for the future!
I just tried Yinkyada Pasta this week and it was sooo good!! I highly recommend it!
It’s nice to see that you found alternates to gluten. I still feel that fruits or vegetables are best over the gluten alternatives but if it works for you that’s all that matters.
BroccoliHut Reply:
November 12th, 2011 at 12:58 pm
I’m actually not gluten sensitive–this tasting was just a part of one of my nutrition classes so that we might gain exposure to what our patients/clients are eating. I don’t normally eat these kinds of products.
I have been gluten-free for about a year now. I first did it as an experiment, since someone in my life said physical symptoms I was having were related to gluten intolerance/Celiac. From the first two weeks, I noticed marked improvement in various aspects of my physical body. I thought I was pretty healthy but apparently my standards were low because the way I felt when going off of gluten was a drastic contrast to how I had been feeling before. I soon came to find out that I carry the Celiac gene and that several other family members on my father’s side are also gluten intolerant. Five years ago, my father passed away from complications related to an autoimmune disease; I’m convinced he had Celiac and didn’t know it, yet if he had stopped eating gluten his health could have improved. Despite the past, being gluten-free has totally impacted my life. It’s actually not as difficult as it seems even though I am also lacto-vegetarian (no eggs). I would imagine it’s easier for someone who eats animal products. Overall, I enjoy cooking so I have fun with it. I eat lots of rice, lentils, chickpeas, nuts, and copious amounts of vegetables. I make gluten-free pasta as well, and buy gluten-free cookies from time to time when I want a treat. I have also experimented with baking gluten-free cupcakes, as well as buying them (both have been delicious and unable to discern a difference). The biggest factor is the difference in price for gluten-free substitutes, but it’s absolutely worth it. I have never felt better. It is also very obvious to me when I do “get glutened.” It affects my digestion, weight, joints, skin, etc. I also feel better about my meal choices because many processed foods and ones lacking in nutrition are those that contain gluten. Now with the awareness rising about Celiac and gluten intolerance, more gluten-free products and restaurants are becoming available, as well as the fact that more people who have been inexplicably sick for long periods of time are finding they feel healthier when going gluten-free. I just hope more people will be willing to make that shift when and if they find out they need to remove gluten from their diet (my aunt is one who refuses to stop eating wheat even though she has been diagnosed with Celiac. She has lupus and recurring cancer which is undoubtedly linked). I also think more people should experiment with going gluten-free just to see how they feel!