Are Gluten Free Meals Really Any Healthier? 

4/4/22


Having a balanced diet is crucial for staying fit and healthy. The formula is easy enough. You just have to eat sufficient amounts of carbohydrates, protein, lipids, vitamins, minerals, and water. This doesn’t pose a problem for people who don’t have allergies.

On the other hand, it can be challenging to find food to eat if you have health problems. For instance, people with celiac disease and gluten sensitivity should adopt a gluten free diet to ensure that their bodies absorb all the nutrients from the food they consume.

Moreover, going gluten free has also become popular for people without food sensitivities because this diet plan can aid with weight loss. Some have also reported a boost in their energy levels when they removed gluten from their diet.

What Does Gluten Free Mean?

Before we discuss why gluten free meals are healthier, you need to know what the term “gluten free” means. Gluten is a type of protein that comes from grains, such as wheat, barley, and rye. Often, it’s incorporated into processed foods to improve texture and moisture retention. It also serves as a binding agent and flavoring, which is why it’s a common ingredient for various foods, from pizzas and pasta to soy sauce and ice cream.

With this in mind, going “gluten free” means avoiding consuming food with gluten. However, as mentioned earlier, it can be challenging to find gluten free foods and meals since it’s commonly used in most commercial products.

These are some foods that contain gluten:

Grains

Aside from wheat, barley, and rye, other grains also contain some form of gluten. Spelt, couscous, semolina, matzo, farina, bulgur, and mir are some examples.

Processed Grain-Based Products 

Most bread, noodles, crackers, cookies, and pastries have gluten. Some meat substitutes may also contain this protein.

Condiments and Beverages

Condiments like malt vinegar, soy sauce, salad dressings, and gravies often have gluten. Beer is known for having a high gluten content. Additionally, although wines are made from grapes, they may be contaminated with the protein if the equipment used for preparing them also processed gluten-rich foods.

Why Are Gluten Free Meals Healthier?

Since gluten is used as a filler, duster, and emulsifier in processed foods, avoiding it means cutting back on junk foods and refined carbohydrates. You can easily replace them with fruit, vegetables, and lean proteins to keep you feeling full without bloating and other digestive problems typically brought about by gluten. It’s considered healthier because you reduce your consumption of chemicals and preservatives.

How To Make Gluten Free Meals

Of course, there are still processed “gluten free” foods that may be packed with preservatives. With this in mind, you may want to make your own gluten free meals and snacks so that you know what goes into your food. Plus, you can use your favorite ingredients and ensure that the taste suits your palate.

The first thing you should do as you start your gluten free journey is to know the right pantry staples to stock up on. You can find gluten free options for all-purpose flour, breadcrumbs, soy sauce, and pasta. If you enjoy baking pastries, you should have xanthan gum on hand to reproduce the elasticity that gluten provides in wheat flour.

To complete your gluten free meals, you should also buy lots of fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins. Canned beans or legumes are great options to consider if you want to add plant-based proteins to salads, rice, and pasta.

You should be aware that you run the risk of nutritional deficiencies if you adopt a gluten free diet. You’ll be missing out on the fiber, calcium, iron, folate, zinc, and other vitamins that gluten-containing foods provide. 

Fortunately, this can be easily resolved by eating a wide variety of whole foods — especially fruits and vegetables. Nuts, seeds, eggs, fish, poultry, and dairy products can be great sources of fiber, iron, and B vitamins.   

Oatmeal, casseroles, and salads are easy food options to consider when you’re still a gluten free beginner. If you really don’t have time to research and shop for the right ingredients, you should opt for our meal prep services. With our gluten free meal delivery in San Diego, you can get healthy meals without the hassle of prepping, cooking, or cleaning up. We have several options to choose from to ensure that you don’t feel deprived when going gluten free.

Takeaway

A gluten free diet is the best (and often only) option for people who have food sensitivities and allergies. Nonetheless, it has also become popular for those looking to lose weight or boost their energy levels. 

Gluten is typically found in processed foods and refined carbohydrates. When you avoid foods that contain this protein, you inadvertently cut out a significant portion of junk from your diet. Then, you can replace junk foods with whole foods and San Diego gluten free meals to avoid nutritional deficiencies and keep you feeling full.

We know the process of cooking and cleaning up can be tiring, especially after a long day at work. Check out our gluten free menu and order food for busy days to ensure that you still eat healthily.



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