Gluten Free: A Tasty Carbohydrate Alternative

Gluten is a compound made up of protein that is found in foods containing wheat. If you have an allergy or sensitivity to gluten, you might want to try the various glutenfree bread and pastry products found in the natural foods section of your local grocery store. To reduce the amount of flour-based bread and pastry products in your cupboard, there is now a variety of glutenfree products available. Because flour-based foods can contain large amounts of carbohydrates, gluten freebread can be a tasty alternative to traditional bread and pastry items for those watching their carb intake.

Glutenfree bread is often made using rice, buckwheat, or tapioca flour. There are varying textures and tastes, so it is important to try different brands to get the right one for your dietary needs and culinary taste. There is a plethora of online gluten free communities offering recipes, product reviews and consumer forums for sharing ideas and stories.
It is important to distinguish between wheat free and glutenfree as they are not always inclusive of one another. It is especially important if you suffer from Celiac disease, a condition that can damage the lining of your small intestine, to avoid gluten whenever possible. A gluten free diet can be beneficial when trying to reduce the number of calories you consume. Because gluten is found in many high-carbohydrate foods, such as bread, pasta and beer, reducing or eliminating these foods from your diet and replacing them with tasty gluten free products can have a noticeable difference on your waistline, as well as on your energy level.

Early versions of rice and tapioca flour-based breads were often bland and rubbery, but recent offerings are much more flavorful and tend to taste quite good and hold their texture longer. Grilled cheese sandwiches, once thought to be a treat of the past for those avoiding gluten, can now be enjoyed with the same enthusiasm as before. Glutenfree bread can be healthy, tasty and easy to replace in traditional flour-based recipes. Peanut butter and jelly toast can once again be savored for breakfast, and gluten free pizza crust is quickly becoming a wonderful alternative to thick, filling flour-based crust.

The trend toward a more carbohydrate-conscious diet has had a positive impact on the quality of gluten freebread products. Baking companies are more mindful of consumers who want to eat healthy, but also delicious, satisfying food.

If you have an allergy or sensitivity to gluten, you might want to try the various gluten free bread and pastry products found in the natural foods section of your local grocery store.