As the name suggests, being gluten free means following a diet free of this mixture of proteins present in many cereal grains – especially wheat, barley and rye. People often go gluten free because digesting it causes discomfort, particularly for those who suffer from celiac disease or gluten sensitivities.

For the more than 330,000 Canadians believed to be affected by celiac disease and gluten intolerance, eating gluten free isn’t a choice, but a necessity. And finding the right foods to eat and recipes to cook can be a challenge.

Hubert Cormier, nutritionist and author, offers three simple tips for cooking nutritious, gluten free meals.

  1. Pump up the protein: Gluten free products often contain less protein and more carbohydrates per serving which can leave the stomach less than satisfied and may lead to over eating. To keep you feeling both full and fueled, complement gluten free meals with a good amount of protein for a winning combination.
  2. Swap in substitutes: Just because you’re eating gluten free doesn’t mean you can’t still have your favourite comfort foods like bread, cakes and pasta. There are lots of wheat substitutes available for making your most-loved recipes gluten free. Catelli’s Gluten Free pasta line is made with a unique blend of white and brown rice, corn and quinoa, and is a great example of a delicious alternative to traditional wheat-based pasta.
  3. Mind your vitamins: Did you know that if you have celiac disease, your calcium and vitamin D intake is reduced? This can increase your risk of vitamin deficiency and developing osteoporosis. You can address this issue by including foods in your diet that are rich in calcium and vitamin D such as dairy products, tofu, canned fish and cabbage.
The following two tabs change content below.
Canadian Home Trends magazine gives you a personal tour of the most stunning homes and condos across Canada. You'll be inspired by a selection of accessible home décor products, trend reports, simple yet stylish DIY projects, and much more. In each issue, you are given the tools to recreate designer spaces you've always dreamt of having at home, in-depth renovation and design advice, colour palette and furniture pairings, and Canada's best places to shop.