Wheat Alternatives for Gluten Free Diet

If digestive disorders like Celiac disease have you eating a gluten free diet or if you just have a desire to expand your whole grain experience, searching for wheat alternatives can be exhausting and yield little results. This list details seven of the top wheat alternatives to help on your quest for a gluten free diet.

Buckwheat is Not Wheat

Despite it's name, buckwheat is not wheat at all. Buckwheat is gluten free and loaded with fiber and protein, and makes a great base for pasta and pancakes. Buckwheat groats are a tasty wheat alternative to boxed cereal.

Corn is Versatile Alternative

On or off the cob, corn is a versatile wheat alternative. Corn is gluten free and anti-oxidant rich and can be eaten frozen, canned, raw, cooked, popped or ground. Whole grain corn meal canned be substituted for all purpose flour in many recipes (muffins, pancakes) and cornmeal porridge, known as polenta , makes a savory side dish.

Millet is Not Only for the Birds

In the united States, millet has been and still is an integral part of commercially made birdseed. Millet is also a good wheat alternative for human consumption. Millets fluffs up like rice when cooked and is packed with fiber and protein.

Quinoa Helps Stabilize Blood Sugar

Quinoa is a nutty flavored, crunchy wheat alternative that is being touted as the wheat alternative that helps to stabilize blood sugar, according to this livestrong article. Quinoa cooks quicker than other gluten free grains and works great in pilaf type recipes.

Gluten Free Rice

All rice is gluten free, but brown, black and wild rice provides more nutrition than standard white rice. Cooked rice can be used in so many recipe applications it's easy to overcome boredom with this favorite wheat alternative.

New Look at Old Sorghum

Traditionally used as animal feed and syrup base in the United States, the old uses for gluten free sorghum are being looked at in new ways. Sorghum is gaining popularity as a gluten free cereal and as a popped snack eaten like popcorn. Sorghum is rich in fiber and iron, and African scientists are working on a genetically engineered super sorghum that will also be packed with vitamins and minerals.

Ethiopian Teff

Iron and calcium rich teff has long been an Ethiopian staple grain, and is now gaining popularity as a sweet, nutty flavored breakfast cereal. This gluten free wheat alternative can also be used as thickener in soups and stews.

Sources:

Buckwheat

Food Network Polenta Recipe

livestrong