Well it’s been two months since sharing I have Celiac Disease and am therefore living a gluten-free lifestyle, and the outpouring of support via comments and emails continues to this day. My newfound gluten-free community both online and in real life has been absolutely awesome and the exchange of ideas and encouragement is something I never expected to find. I haven’t really talked much more about it since then though, and wanted to give you an update on how things are going!
First a quick explanation because I didn’t really know what eating gluten-free meant until I had to do it myself – a gluten-free diet is a one that excludes the protein gluten, which is found in grains such as wheat, barley, and rye. Think foods like traditional cakes, cookies, pasta, beer, bread, cereal, etc.
Now then, how are things going? Actually, OK! I don’t want to paint too rosy a picture – I mean would I ever choose this? Heck no! – but the truth is this transition hasn’t been the epic battle I thought it might be after getting diagnosed with Celiac Disease in February. As I mentioned in my “coming out” post, my diet already consisted of many gluten-free foods and while I am the self-proclaimed queen of pizza, pasta, and beer, I have found better than suitable replacements for all three thanks to Gusto’s gluten-free pizza, Barilla gluten-free pasta, and Omission gluten-free beer (I almost pushed my friend out of our booth at BLT Burger in Las Vegas after spying it on the menu I was so excited. There’s only so many vodka sodas with lime a girl can handle…literally!)
That being said, you don’t just cut out an entire food group without any hardship, and while I’ve found not eating gluten at home to be fairly drama-free, I do find myself watching people eat gluten-filled foods with more than a twinge of jealousy. It’s not always that I’m craving the foods they’re eating, it’s more that I’m wistful for the days when I could shove whatever I wanted into my pie-hole (mmm, pie – RIP) without having to think twice about it. Plus I will dearly miss summer craft beer festivals, and don’t even mention the Iowa State Fair and my annual foot-long corn dog!
While those days are gone, I think it’s important to focus on the positives including all the gluten-free foods I CAN eat. I mentioned in my last post that I’m currently taking an online Go Sugar Free Course (<– affiliate link.) I signed up because I found myself eating more sugar than usual after going GF, specifically candy, probably in an attempt to fill the hole that was left from nixing gluten-filled foods. The course includes daily emails filled with tasks, tips, etc. and one email last week included a massive grocery shopping list filled with foods that are sugar-free. The list is loooooong and filled with pretty much every fresh food you can think of, as well as beans, meats, cheeses and nuts. The thing that tickled me most though was how enormous the overlap was between sugar-free foods and gluten-free foods.
This list is a wonderful visual representation of foods that people living a gluten-free lifestyle CAN enjoy, MINUS a few of the 100% whole grain foods. It does a much better job than I can of communicating that eating gluten-free does not mean feeling deprived or eating “weird” things. In case you’re curious, you can download the list for free here >>
So that’s where I’m at – thanks for reading this novel! Now back to the reason for the post. Over the past couple of weeks I’ve had no-less than 5 people write to ask what my favorite gluten-free recipes on the blog are. One person asked because a friend was recently diagnosed with Celiac Disease and they wanted to help, another was hosting a dinner party and half the people coming are eating gluten-free, the others were newly diagnosed themselves. Help! they said. You got it! I answered!
Whether you’re new to the gluten-free world or just curious, I’ve rounded up over 50 gluten-free recipes to make for dinner, breakfast, as an appetizer/side dish, and dessert. While many of my non-gluten-free recipes can be easily adapted, these recipes require ZERO modifications. They’re ready to go as is. Please enjoy, my gluten and non-gluten eating friends alike!
Edited to add: make sure you are using gluten free versions of chicken and soy sauce, for instance. I like Pacific and San-J brands, respectively!
Please note that I am not encouraging anyone to eat strictly gluten-free unless it is medically necessary. I am not a doctor, just sharing about my experience with Celiac Disease!
GLUTEN-FREE DINNER RECIPES
Eating gluten-free does not mean feeling deprived in any way shape or form. Try any of these filling, fast, and fresh gluten-free dinner recipes and I think you’ll agree!
Steak Salad with Crispy Shallots, Dried Cherries, Candied Pecans and Goat Cheese
Chicken with Cherry-Wine Pan Sauce
Kale and Wild Rice Bowls with Honey-Balsamic Vinaigrette
Warm Kale Salad with Bacon, Dates, Almonds, Crispy Shallots and Parmesan
Healthier Smothered Sweet Potato Fries (Ore-Ida brand sweet potato fries are GF)
Buffalo Chicken Cobb Salad with Buffalo Deviled Eggs
Chipotle Cheddar Burgers with Avocado Crema
Avocado, Mozzarella and Bruschetta Baked Chicken
Apple-Cheddar Stuffed Chicken with Apple-Dijon Pan Sauce
Lighter Orange Beef and Broccoli
Apple-Almond Quinoa with Maple Sausage
Spinach and Artichoke Dip Chicken
Green Chili Chicken Enchilada Casserole with Quick Pico de Gallo
Homemade Crunchy Taco Hamburger Helper
Thai Peanut Chicken Quinoa Bowls
Crock Pot Chicken Tacos with Mexican Rice
Crispy Pesto Gnocchi with Tomatoes and Goat Cheese (use GF gnocchi)
Hawaiian Pulled Pork Skillet Nacho with Pineapple Guacamole
Lemon Pepper Chicken with Artichoke Salsa
Mediterranean Smothered Chicken
Tomato-Basil and Spinach Risotto
Southwestern Chicken and Rice Skillet
Sun Dried Tomato & Basil Stuffed Chicken Breasts
Sweet Corn & Quinoa with Honey-Lemon Vinaigrette
GLUTEN-FREE BREAKFAST RECIPES
Breakfast is one of the easiest meals of the day to eat gluten-free as morning staples like bacon, eggs, and hash browns typically do not contain gluten. But, if you want to make your mornings a bit more exciting, try any of these gluten-free breakfast recipes.
Tropical Pineapple, Mango and Orange Smoothie
Kale and Bacon Quiche with Hash Brown Crust
Make-Ahead Fruit and Yogurt Breakfast Parfaits
Lemon-Blackberry Breakfast Cookies
GLUTEN-FREE APPETIZER AND SIDE DISH RECIPES
Deciding what side dish or appetizer to bring to a party is hard enough without having to worry that everyone in attendance can eat what you’re making. All of these appetizer and side-dish recipes are tasty AND gluten-free!
Black Bean and Sweet Corn Guacamole Dip
Best-Ever Southwestern Black Bean Dip
Lighter Bacon Cheeseburger Dip
Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon, Shallots, and Garlic
GLUTEN-FREE DESSERT RECIPES
No, you do not need gluten to make a yummy dessert! Try any of these sweet and satisfying recipes worry, and gluten-free.
Crispy Chocolate-Peanut Butter Cups
The Best Fruit Dip. Ever.
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