A gluten-free diet has become a lifestyle for people across the world. People with Celiac Disease require a gluten-free diet, but most people that are purchasing gluten-free foods are doing so for other health reasons. Moms are picking up gluten-free foods for their entire household, and adults across the world are touting the many benefits of a gluten-free diet. Are gluten-free products actually healthier, though?
All-Natural Products Are Gluten-Free Products
Natural foods like fruits, vegetables, and even eggs are all gluten-free. In fact, a lot of products are naturally gluten-free food before additives are used. This is why a gluten-free diet helps promote weight loss. When you start shopping for gluten-free products, you’ll find that you’re straying away from processed foods and shopping for more natural foods.
Gluten-Free Foods Provide Essential Vitamins And Nutrients
One of the main concerns is that going on a gluten-free diet results in missing out on key nutrients for the body. This is why so many doctors recommend against it unless you have an autoimmune condition.
However, the research states otherwise. Gluten-free whole grains are a great source of dietary fibre. Enjoying a gluten-free diet that is rich in leafy greens provides iron, folate, and many other essential vitamins and nutrients.
Additionally, some gluten-free foods, such as cereals, are still fortified with the same vitamins and minerals as their gluten-containing counterparts. For example, many versions of Cheerios are gluten-free, but Cheerios are still a part of a healthy diet.
A Gluten-Free Diet Can Result In More Homemade Snacks
Gluten-free snacks are great and can help reduce behavioural issues in children, but they can be costly. A small loaf of gluten-free bread can easily cost $5 compared to the dollar that a standard loaf of white bread costs. Gluten-free alternatives to cookies are often more expensive than gluten-containing foods, and gluten-free baking mixes are particularly expensive. One box of gluten-free cake mix can easily cost $10, and it only makes one cake.
If you’re not wealthy, that leads to learning how to cook gluten-free snacks at home to avoid paying the high cost of gluten-free versions. However, this is actually healthier for you and your kids! Homemade snacks are more natural, contain fewer additives, and still provide the same delicious taste that store-bought snacks do.
Instead of spending a lot on gluten-free cake mix, you can spend that same amount on ingredients to make your own gluten free cake, and have enough ingredients to make several cakes. Gluten-free snacks require a little bit of work when made at home, but they are the healthiest option.
Gluten-Free Foods Result In Fewer Mental Health Issues
Gluten-free diets are often considered a treatment for Celiac Disease, but they also offer a host of benefits to other people.
Individuals with gluten intolerance often experience inflammation, which can show up anywhere in the body, including the brain. This can be displayed as behavioural problems in children, psychiatric disorders, and more.
Gluten-Free Foods Provide Ample Protein
Lean meats and poultry, such as chicken, are a part of a healthy gluten-free diet. They provide plenty of protein. So do eggs, fish, and other gluten-free foods. You won’t have to worry about making sure that you have a good source of protein on a gluten-free diet.
Gluten-Free Snacks Mean Less Inflammation
Gluten has been proven to cause inflammation. If that inflammation happens in the e heart for a prolonged period of time, it can lead to cardiovascular disease. When you opt for gluten-free cookies instead of foods with gluten-containing grains, you could reduce your risk of heart disease.
Low-Calorie Snacks
First, it is important to read nutrition labels. Due to the increase in processed gluten-free snacks, quite a few high-calorie snacks are loaded with sugar.
However, there are more low-calorie, gluten-free snacks available than low-calorie snacks with gluten. It’s because these foods are often healthier and packed with plant-based protein. Foods like rice cakes, apples, fruit dip, and even healthy snacks like carrots and ranch are all low-calorie and gluten-free.
Plain Rice Cakes And Nut Butter Are Great Snacks
When you have gluten sensitivity, it’s critical to avoid gluten-containing grains. During the 90s, people began to eat more low-calorie foods during the low-calorie craze. One of the most popular snacks was rice cakes. Rice cakes do not offer substantial nutritional value, but they also don’t have a lot of calories in them, making them a great snack if you’re trying to lose weight. Spread some almond butter or other nut butter on top for additional nutrients and flavour.
Gluten-free snacks are well-known for being better for both the body and mind. Make healthy choices when choosing gluten-free foods to reap the most benefits. Some great gluten-free snacks include plain rice cakes, almond butter, gluten-free cake, cookies, fruits, vegetables, and hard-boiled eggs. Check out the rest of our blogs for the more awesome advice!
