Gluten Free Grains and Seeds

As gluten free people we hear so much about avoiding wheat and other types of grains that we Outpost Natural Foods employees in Milwaukee Wisconsin otherwise refer to as "BROW", referring to barley, rye, oats and wheat that gluten free dieters may not think there are any gluten free grains they can eat, however there are a number of them we can explore. In fact gluten free grains and seeds are out there for gluten free folks to enjoy.

A grain as I learned recently, is a miniscule fruit that is fused with a seed and a seed with the embryo of a plant inside is actually a small egg. The entirety of the grain is loaded with essential nutrition. The bran contains vital B vitamins to combat stress, the endosperm is chocked full of quality carbohydrates providing energy quickly to whomever eats it, and the germ is the life source of the plant.

Some of the grains and that you can eat without restraint on a gluten free diet include:

Corn

Teff

Oats

Rice

Buckwheat

Millet

Sesame seeds

Sunflower seeds

Flax seeds

Learning to eat and prepare these foods will require patience and a positive attitude for those that need to adopt a gluten free lifestyle, while they learn a new way of abstaining from the standard American diet and lifestyle. The adjustment may be overwhelming at times, however if you persevere through it, you'll wind up in a place where you have some knowledge about preparing these foods, and it will all start to make more sense and seem less obscure and untouchable.

Using these foods listed above can be enlightening. I remember the first time I made sunflower burgers and corncakes. When I finished the entire meal, I felt such a sense of accomplishment for the new knowledge I was able to obtain and follow through with. Stay true to what your body needs. This lifestyle will all come together, you'll stay healthy and feel good as a result.

Source:
April 2011 issue of Gluten Free Living