Celiac Disease

Official Website of Celiac-Disease.com

You are here: Home / Archives for Gluten-Free Diet

Gluten-Free Diet

Gluten-Free Breakfast Simplicity

Last Updated on by the Celiac-Disease.com Staff Leave a Comment

Breakfast doesn’t have to be complicated.  I remember when I first started the gluten-free diet, I was so concerned about what I was going to eat for breakfast.  I was so used to eating a bagel or bowl of high-fiber cereal, I felt lost when those items were taken away from me.  When I quit freaking out and really started to think about it, there were plenty of foods that I could eat for breakfast.  I think I was under the assumption that if I couldn’t pop it in the toaster or pour it from a box, it took too long to make.  Part of starting the gluten-free diet, or really any diet/lifestyle change, is keeping an open mind and embracing change instead of fighting it.

Turns out there are plenty of quick, easy breakfast choices that also happen to be gluten-free.  If time is tight in the mornings or you prefer not to spend a lot of time preparing breakfast, do most of the preparation in advance.

1.  Scrambled eggs with cheese – This takes less than 10 minutes from start to finish.  Heat your pan up while you are cracking the eggs and adding a dash of milk.  Lightly spray the pan with cooking spray and pour the egg mixture in.  Cook until desired doneness, sprinkle with salt, pepper and shredded cheese.  Stir, plate and top with more cheese.  Done.

2.  Pancakes – Take a little extra time on the weekend to make additional pancakes to store in the refrigerator or freezer.  Heat in the microwave or toaster oven and serve.

3.  Quinoa breakfast bowl – Make the quinoa on the weekend or make extra one night for dinner.  Simple, fast,delicious and nutritious!

4.  Oatmeal – There are many ways to make oatmeal fast and easy.  There are instant varieties on the market now which take 5 minutes to make.  If you prefer to make your own, you could get most of the dish ready the night before and then finish the next morning with Overnight Oats.  *Not all people with Celiac Disease or gluten intolerance can tolerate oatmeal, even the certified gluten-free oats. If you haven’t introduced oats back into your diet yet, please do so slowly.

5. Oatmeal Raisin Bars – While these may be a little more like a snack or dessert, they still contain a couple of healthy ingredients like oatmeal and raisins.  These are great for grab-and-go breakfasts.  The sugar can be reduced to make them a little healthier, too.  *I may try to make these this week with reduced oil and adding in some unsweetened applesauce.

6. Waffles – Frozen waffles are quick and easy and can be doctored up to suit your needs.  In a big hurry?  Make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich out of waffles!  There are several gluten-free frozen brands or you can make additional homemade waffles in advance and freeze them.

Of course there are always cereal options, as well as bacon or sausage made in advance.   Don’t care for breakfast foods?  No worries.  Who says that breakfast has to be traditional breakfast foods?   Have a turkey and cheese sandwich, leftover slice of pizza or pasta.  You know what “they” say, right?  Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.

Review: Gluten-Free Ice Cream Available

Last Updated on by the Celiac-Disease.com Staff 2 Comments

July is National Ice Cream Month! What could be better than an ice-cold bowl of ice cream in the middle of this oppressive heat we have been experiencing? Did you know that it was Ronald Reagan that designated July as National Ice Cream Month in 1984?

Following the gluten-free diet can add some difficulty to finding ice cream that is safe to eat, but don’t worry, there are plenty of options out there! Aside from the obvious gluten-containing add-ins, most ice cream should be gluten-free. The following brands have many gluten-free options in their line-ups.

  • Edy’s/Dryer’s – Ingredients will be clearly labeled on the package if there is any gluten.
  • Breyer’s – Ingredients will be clearly labeled on the package if there is any gluten.
  • Blue Bunny – Ingredients will be clearly labeled on the package if there is any gluten.
  • Mayfield Dairy – Ingredients will be clearly labeled on the package if there is any gluten.
  • Turkey Hill – Packages will be labeled “gluten-free.”

IMG_2079Dairy-free in addition to gluten-free?  Sorbets are made from water flavored with fruit (juice or puree), wine, and/or liqueur and are a great dairy-free dessert.  Don’t confuse sorbets with sherbet, though, as sherbet typically contains milk.

  • Ciao Bella – All varieties are gluten-free.  They make amazing sorbet – worth the money!
  • So Delicious – Includes almond, soy, and coconut ice cream.  Not all varieties are gluten-free.
  • Soy Dream, Rice Dream, and Almond Dream – Not all varieties are gluten-free.

Do you prefer to go out for ice cream?  I know that this option sometimes works best for us so that we aren’t eating ice cream all of the time.  Have you tried these options to satisfy your ice cream cravings?

  • Cold Stone Creamery
  • Jeni’s Ice Cream – Many options including gluten-free macaroon ice cream sandwiches!  Information on ingredients and gluten-free status are listed on the website.
  • Dairy Queen – Many options, including the soft serve.  Be cautious of the Blizzards due to add-ins and potential cross-contamination risks.

As you can see above, when I have ice cream at home I like to doctor it up a bit.  Fresh fruit and chocolate chips are my current obsession. What is your favorite ice cream flavor?

Review: Angry Orchard Hard Cider

Last Updated on by the Celiac-Disease.com Staff Leave a Comment

The dog days of summer have arrived. I find myself looking for ways to cool down and what better way than with an ice-cold Angry Orchard hard cider?

Blending Italian culinary apples from the Alpine foothills with French bittersweet apples from Normandy, Angry Orchard cider makers have crafted the perfect flavor profiles through a lengthy fermentation process, including wood-aging for optimal complexity and balance.  Unlike ordinary apples, bittersweet apples are described as “angry” because of the tart and tannic characteristics they impart.  Culinary apples produce a fruit with a juicy, ripe apple character that, when combined with the bittersweet apples, results in an exceptional blend that contributes to the complex flavor profile of each Angry Orchard cider style.

The apple crop is harvested at the peak of flavor and ripeness.  Because every crop has its own personality, Angry Orchard cider makers taste every batch of juice, blending varieties to achieve the signature Angry Orchard flavor.

“The apples in Angry Orchard are not ordinary apples that you would buy in the grocery store,” Sipes explains.  “Our cider apples are grown specifically for cider-making to ensure only the best quality apples make it into every barrel of Angry Orchard.”

According to research from SymphonyIRI, hard cider sales grew 27 percent in 2011, making cider one of the fastest-growing alcoholic beverage categories in the U.S. Angry Orchard was released earlier this year in New England, Colorado, Maryland and New York.  As a result of the overwhelmingly positive response, it is hitting shelves nationwide this month. Angry Orchard Crisp Apple is already the best-selling cider package in the northeast states where it is available.

There are three varieties of Angry Orchard hard cider:

Apple Ginger – (5.0%ABV), combines the ideal blend of fresh Nigerian ginger and apples for a sweet, yet slightly tart taste, distinct ginger aroma and warm finish; and for those looking for a traditional European cider.

Crisp Apple – (5.0% ABV), balances natural apple sweetness with a subtle dryness for a hard to resist crisp and refreshing, fruit-forward taste.

Traditional Dry – (5.5%ABV), made in the style of English draft ciders, imparts bittersweet and slightly spicy flavors with a bright apple aroma. Its dry body makes mouths pucker and look forward to another sip.

I sampled all three of these ciders much in the way that one would sample wine at a wine tasting.  I poured a small glass of each cider and began my sampling.  I sampled the Traditional Dry first.  It reminded me a lot of some of the other ciders that I have tried and yes, it does make the mouth pucker!  The Crisp Apple was next.  This cider reminded me of the perfect Granny Smith apple!  I loved the flavor and I couldn’t help but go back for another sip.  The Apple Ginger was the most unique of the three samples.  It has a very distinct ginger undertone along with a tart taste.  This cider would be perfect for pairing with a Thai or Chinese meal.  My favorite of the three samples is the Crisp Apple!  There is a really cool recipe page full of creative ideas using the Angry Orchard ciders.

Angry Orchard hard cider is now available in the US in 6-packs with a suggested retail price of $8.99.   The cider is also available on draft in select restaurants throughout the US.  To find the closest retailer or restaurant near you, check out the “Find the Orchard” page on the website.

Have you tried Angry Orchard hard cider?  If so, what did you think?

Are You Prepared?

Last Updated on by the Celiac-Disease.com Staff Leave a Comment

I don’t know if you have been affected by the devastating wild fires in Colorado or the strong storms that swept across 11 states leaving, 2 million customers without power, but it reminded me that it was time to review how to be prepared for an emergency when you are gluten-free.  We were fortunate enough not to lose power, but I can’t say the same for many in our area.  We were hit with 80 mph winds on Friday evening during rush hour.  Hannah warned me that we shouldn’t go out, that we should cancel our dinner with a friend.  I assured her that it was only a thunderstorm and that they are usually very short in the summer.   While I was right about one part, it was much more than a simple thunderstorm.  According to the news, the type of storm that hit us, and several states to the East of us, is called a “Derecho”.

I was unaware as we ventured out that we would soon be hit with strong winds and hurricane-like rains.  Hannah begged me to turn the van around, but I opted instead to pull into the parking lot of a fire station and ride it out.  I wanted to make sure we were not in the line of any falling trees or power lines.  To be completely honest, it was one of the scariest moments, where I was definitely questioning what in the heck I had been thinking when we went out.  Of course I had to put on a brave face for Hannah, which was not easy.

After the storm was over, we went on our way to meet my friend for dinner.  We had planned on going to Mimi’s Café, but upon arriving they had no power.  Plan B was to try Molly Woo’s Asian Bistro, which happened to be right around the corner.  They, too, had no power.  It seems that most establishments in the area were without power, including the shopping mall.  We did finally find one restaurant, Marcella’s, that had power and they were able to seat us right away.  I informed them that they were about to get really busy, as it didn’t appear that anyone else had power and the streets were filled with cars that were going no where fast.

As it turns out, there are still hundreds of thousands of people without power here in Ohio and across some of the Eastern states.  While some residents in larger cities may be able to depend on restaurants that have power to feed them, those in smaller towns without power may be getting to a point where they could be in trouble.

The events of the past week bring up some very important things to remember, especially if you have to follow a special diet.  I wrote an article two years ago about about emergency kits, but will outline some of the most important items below:

There are checklists available here to outline the most important items to have on hand. Included in the link above are basic lists and then suggested additions. A three day supply is suggested for food and water. Make sure to take into account that water is per person. If you have pets, do not forget to plan ahead for them.

Here are some basic gluten-free food items that can be included in an emergency kit:

  • Lara Bars, Pure Bars, Zing Bars or other fruit/nut bar
  • Canned meat – tuna and salmon are good choices
  • Canned beans – good source of protein/carbs
  • Nuts
  • Non-perishable, pasteurized milk (Horizon Organic makes individual boxes)
  • Vitamins
  • Gluten-free crackers
  • Gluten-free cereal
  • Peanut Butter (other nut butters are good, too, but some need to be kept in the refrigerator)
  • Dried fruit
  • Go Picnic meals

If you have any tips that you would like to add, or questions that we can help with, please use the comments form below.

Gluten-Free Memorial Day

Last Updated on by the Celiac-Disease.com Staff 2 Comments

As we gather around to remember those that have given up so much for us to have the freedoms that we have, there is often food involved. Memorial Day weekend is the kickoff of the summer grilling season and many times that includes food and drinks that contain gluten.   Fortunately for those in the gluten-free community, there are plenty of gluten-free choices out there these days to satisfy everyone.

Of course the buns are the first thing that come to mind when thinking of food that could possibly contain gluten at a cookout.  There are some great gluten-free hamburger and hot dog bun choices that can be found in mainstream grocery stores across the US:

After you have taken care of the buns, make sure that any marinades that may have been used for chicken, shrimp, etc are gluten-free.  Some marinades may contain soy sauce, which is sometimes brewed with wheat, so please double check before ruining your holiday weekend.  If you are attending a cookout away from home, consider the surface that your food is being cooked on.  Will there be anything else on the grill that contains gluten?  Is it possible to cook yours first or in a dedicated location?  I realize that sometimes these options aren’t possible, but I find that most hosts are more than willing to help make sure your food is safe.

There are many gluten-free hot dogs and brats on the market.  Some of the most popular brands are:

Of course some people don’t consider a hot dog complete without all kinds of toppings.  Sauerkraut, cheese, ketchup, mustard, onions, relish, etc should all be gluten-free, but remember to check the source if you are dining away from home.

Side items like vegetable trays, fruit bowls, green salads, potato salad and baked beans are often safe.  Just be cautious of any dips or additions that may have been made to the baked beans or potato salad.

Now onto the fun stuff.  Drinks and desserts.  First drinks.  Wine is gluten-free, as are many other alcoholic beverages, including hard ciders, Mike’s Lite Hard Lemonades (only certain flavors)  and a variety of gluten-free beers that are relatively new to the market. Some of those beers are:

  • Redbridge
  • New Grist
  • Bard’s Tale
  • Estrella Damm Daura
  • New Planet
  • Green’s
  • Omission
  • Dogfish Head Tweason’ Ale
  • Glutenator

Last, but certainly not least, dessert!  Many ice creams, sherbets, sorbets, popsicles, and Italian ices are gluten-free, but again, you need to check the source.  Fruit is naturally gluten-free and is a wonderfully refreshing dessert on a hot day.  If you are looking for a fun, easy dessert for the Memorial Day weekend, try this out:

Brownies & Berries Dessert Pizza

Not only are berries easy to find now in stores, but the red, white & blue colors on the top of the pizza really tie in with the Memorial holiday theme.

How do you plan to spend your Memorial Day weekend?  Parade? Cookout?