Unless you live under a rock, you have probably heard the buzz words “gluten free”. Now the question you are asking is “What the heck is gluten and why do I want to be free from it?” Well, gluten is a generic name for the storage protein found in grains like pasta and bread and binds starches together. Some people may have tummy trouble after eating a meal with gluten. My son is one of those people. He also has autism and it has been said going gluten free can help lessen the “symptoms” in autistic folks. These issues can be bloating and gas in the mild form and in the extreme, vomiting, cramping, migraines and even dizziness. If you feel you may have problems wit gluten and want to phase it out of your diet, here are just four tips to get you going:
Tips For Going Gluten Free
- Real Food: If you eat real foods like organic fruits vegetables, it takes the guesswork out of knowing if you are eating gluten free or not.
- Read Labels: When you look at a label and you do not see words like wheat, barley, rye, malt, or oats, the food is most likely free of any gluten ingredients.
- Cookbooks: There are a ton of great gluten free cookbooks on the market that will guide you, step-by-step on cooking delicious gluten free meals.
- Gluten Free Foods: Gone are the days when you could only find gluten free boxed items in the natural food store. Now just about any grocery store or major retailer will have at least a few items. I have been able to find flour, cake mixes, cookie mixes and even pastas, like from Van’s Foods.
I am a bit of a lazy bones, so if I can find a brand that offers me delicious gluten free options right out of the box, I am all over it (but not like white on rice because that has gluten in it!) With Van’s Foods, you can find cereals, waffles, crackers, pastas and more. With Van’s, you get the simple deliciousness of great food without worrying about the gluten being in your diet. This is like gluten free for dummies! If you are looking for ways to go gluten free, you have plenty of choices from Van’s Foods.
I was sent a variety of the pastas, including the Creamy Herb and Garlic, Rotini and Red Sauce, and my Henry’s favorite, the Ultimate Cheddar Penne. I am telling you guys, you will not be able to tell the difference between Van’s and gluten filed pastas. And believe me, I have tried other brands and they taste just plain weird. Like something is missing but you cannot put your finger on it weird! As a mom, I love that Henry is getting almost 30 grams of whole grains in each serving of his beloved Cheddar Penne. And the cheesy goodness? Oh my goodness! So go gluten free with Van’s and enjoy! Follow Van’s on Twitter and Pinterest. One USA reader will win (5) coupons and a Van’s water bottle ARV $50.
Which gluten free product from Van’s Foods would you like to try?
