5 Best Gluten Free Diets for Weight Loss and Healthy Living

By Richard R Michaels

Many people are here that have live on gluten free food because their body cannot absorb this type of food. So if you are one of those people or you want to go for a gluten free diet plan, here are 5 best diets that you can include in your diet plan to live a healthy and fit life.

5 Best Gluten Free Diets for Weight Loss and Healthy Living

Gluten Free Cereal with essential nutrients:

This type of cereal can be great for your weight loss plan but it may not be equally good for your health because most of this cereal come with no nutrient value. That's why it is very important that you should consume only those cereals that are not only gluten free but have additional vitamins and minerals as well. You can easily find these types of cereals that are not only gluten free but have added nutrients without increasing their calorie count.

Eggs with sweet potato:

This is not only one of the best diets but it has all the nutrient value as well. So you can eat lightly fried eggs with less oil and some sweet potatoes with it. In addition to this you can season it with salt and paprika to add more flavor to the dish.

Amazing Gluten Free One Egg Quiche Recipe

Bagel:

Bread is one of the most ignored gluten free food that you can enjoy anytime of the day. You can easily get whole grain bread or bagel in market and it tastes equally great. The best thing about whole grain flour bagels are that a big loaf contains less than 280 calorie, 3 grams of fiber and impressively 7 grams of protein.

Oats:

Possibly this is the most popular of these foods that people have been using a very long time to control their weight and to fight with celiac disease. The best thing about naturally processed oats are that theya are completely sodium free and it contain enough fiber and protein that make sure you not only lose weight in a natural manner but you also stay healthy. Other than this, its fiber also makes sure your digestive system work perfectly.

Soups:

One should include a variety of soups in your diet plan. You can include mushroom soup, chicken soup, Thai curry, and roasted vegetable soup and you can achieve your gluten free diet plan without compromising with your taste buds. The best thing about these soups are that they are not very high in calories.

Gluten-Free Chicken Soup for Body and Soul

In addition to these 5 ideal gluten free foods make sure those processed foods do not contain any added preservatives that are high in calories or other harmful substances for body.

Gluten-Free Dessert Recipes interview

By Jennifer S Rigby

One of the biggest challenges about going gluten-free is giving up those scrumptious wheat filled desserts. Let's face it, rice flour, tapioca starch, potato starch, sorghum, millet, almond, etc., just cannot compete with the binding of wheat flour. I thought all was lost when I had to give up those mouth-watering desserts. Fortunately, a lot of my misconceptions have been dissolved, as I have learned how to tweak, experiment, and enjoy gluten-free dessert recipes.

Gluten-Free Dessert Recipes interview

When I was younger, I could eat anything. Now that the glory days are over, the waistline isn't as trim, and my body has changed a lot from having children. I realized that my cooking needed to be all natural in order to be healthier. So, not only have I given up all of the preservative laden desserts, but also the gluten ones as well.

My thinking about desserts had to do a 180 degree flip. The first realization I had was that I did not always need to have flour in my desserts for them to taste good. I started to experiment and came up with a great chocolate covered almond recipe. Now, I had to be careful with this one, since there could be a lot of hidden preservatives. I converted to dark chocolate to solve this problem and all natural vanilla. The ingredients for this recipe are almonds, dark chocolate chips, all natural peanut butter, all natural butter spread (to keep it dairy-free, butter can be used if you are not dairy sensitive), and all natural vanilla (vanilla can be tricky, since it can have hidden gluten in it).

Turn the pan onto medium low and combine all of the ingredients, except the almonds. Once they are melted and combined, turn off the heat and add the almonds. After the almonds are smothered in chocolate, pour onto a cookie sheet covered in wax paper. Place the cookie sheet in the fridge and harden the chocolate. These are a mouth-watering delight that I have added to my gluten-free dessert recipe collection.

Now that I have a dessert that does not contain flour, I cannot give up on my attempt to have flour desserts. For years, my sons could never have a banana cream pie, since they were allergic to dairy. The banana cream pie that I grew up on was basically whole milk with a few other ingredients. I did not want to kill my sons off, but I wanted to allow them the opportunity to taste this type of pie. So I set to work to try and make it dairy free. That was an awful challenge. I remember attempting on with rice milk. Oh, it was awful! Then I went gluten-free along with two of my daughters.

This last Christmas, I was determined to make a gluten-free dessert recipe that was worth indulging in. I went out on a limb and experimented with a banana cream pie. It actually worked! I used coconut milk, eggs, evaporated cane juice crystals, a gluten-free flour blend, all natural vanilla, and a natural buttery spread. I was nervous as I tasted it. It did not have the flavor of the recipe I grew up with, but it had a different flavor that was scrumptious and worth coming back too. I did not have to throw this pie out, nor did I stop myself at one piece.

Going gluten-free is not the end of enjoying desserts. It does require an open-mind and an ability to experiment. A quality gluten-free dessert recipe does not need to contain exotic ingredients, or very expensive ones. These recipes just require some knowledge along with trial and error. Yes, cinnamon rolls may be a thing of the past, but not all indulgences have to be put on the shelf. Just do some research and find some great and trusted gluten-free dessert recipes.

Best Gluten-Free Dessert Recipes:

Let Them Eat Chocolate Cake! Gluten Free Dairy Free Dessert Recipe
Apple Cranberry Pocket Pies Recipe
Sun Dried Tomato Focaccia Bread Recipe - Gluten-Free
Gluten-Free Peach Coffee Cake with Cinnamon Streusel Topping
Free Raspberry Coconut-Almond Bars

Delicious Bella Pizza Recipe: Gluten-Free, Vegetarian

By Justin Ravnell

There are a multitude of reasons for a family to go grain-free and sugar-free. Perhaps your son has celiac disease, so his immune system can not tolerate gluten. Maybe your husband is at high risk for heart disease or diabetes. Maybe you are simply one of the thousands of people who are beginning to understand the health benefits of a grain-free diet.

Delicious Bella Pizza Recipe:  Gluten-Free, Vegetarian

Great! You've taken the first step and gotten the grain and refined sugar out of your life. But what now? Well, you can start with this delicious Bella Pizza. By switching out the dough for a mushroom cap, you will:

• reduce carbohydrates by nearly 30 grams
• increase fiber
• increase protein by about 3 grams
• cut out the gluten (which is inflammatory for everyone- not just those with gluten allergies)
• increase iron
• add niacin, a brain-health mineral

Not to mention, it's a lot easier to wash a mushroom cap than to knead dough! You can whip up this dish for a quick family dinner, or serve onbaby bella caps for a delicious appetizer. Any way you dish it, Margarita Bella Pizza is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

Margarita Bella Pizza Recipe

This delicious pesto, tomato, mozzarella pizza on a mushroom cap is quick, easy, and delicious!

4 Portabella Caps, rinsed and patted dry

6oz Fresh mozzarella, sliced into four rounds

1 Large organic tomato

4 tbsp Basil Pesto (see recipe below, or use prepared pesto)

2 tbsp Olive Oil for brushing

Preheat the oven to 400ºF.

1. Brush both sides of mushroom caps with olive oil.
2. Place oiled mushrooms on a glass baking dish, stem-side-up.
3. Spread one tablespoon of Basil Pesto on the ribbed, dark "top" of each cap.
4. Slide the tomato into ¼ inch thick slices. Place one slice on top of the pesto. (If your tomato is smaller, you may want to use two slices per pizza.)
5. Top each pizza with a slice of fresh mozzarella.
6. Place pan in the oven for 10 - 15 minutes or until cheese is just melted and mushroom is cooked through.
7. Serve immediately.

To make the Basil Pesto:

Toss all the ingredients in the food processor for a quick pesto!

Place 1/3 cup packed fresh basil, 1/3 cup raw pine nuts, 3 cloves garlic (peeled), 3 tablespoons olive oil, 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese in a food processor. Blend for about thirty seconds until everything is minced together with even consistency. Salt to taste.

This pesto recipe makes about 1/3 cup.

You can change it up by replacing the pesto with traditional pizza sauce, then topping with your favorite toppings. The kids love to help on this one. They can make their own personalized Bella Pizzas using everything from pineapple and Canadian Bacon, to BBQ chicken and cheddar. Delizioso!

Amazing Gluten Free One Egg Quiche Recipe

By Maura E Dillon

Years ago in college my friend who had an off-campus apartment served me this quiche one day for dinner. It was so delicious I started making it myself. People love it and I am always asked for the recipe whenever I bring it to someone or serve it to my guests. Back in college it was an economical choice for dinner; originally it was made with cheddar cheese and frozen broccoli, now I take gourmet ingredients and mix it up to create wonderful variations if the earlier recipe. Of course you can always take a small amount of last nights leftover vegetable or meat and keep it simple.

Amazing Gluten Free One Egg Quiche Recipe

It is easy to keep it vegetarian; as long as you eat eggs and cheese, or try my favorite combination, Fontina cheese, cooked cubed chicken breast and sun dried tomatoes. I also have made it gluten free using an easy gluten free baking mix I always have on hand for the crust. Give it a try either using your favorite pie crust recipe or the pie crust recipe below, either way I think you will be amazed at the results!

Filling:
1 extra-large egg
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon gluten free baking mix
1/2 cup milk (any kind)
1/2 cup green onions, chives or red onion chopped
2 cups shredded cheese (any variety)
8-10 ounces of any vegetable, meat, or seafood you like. Vegetables should be slightly wilted to get rid of moisture, and meats and seafood thoroughly cooked.

Mix all the ingredients together in a large bowl and pour onto the prepared pie shell.
Bake @ 350 degrees for 40 minutes until set.

Examples of combinations I have used:
Asparagus & Cheddar Cheese
Zucchini & Monterey Jack Cheese
Crab, Spinach & Gruyere Cheese
Chicken or Turkey, Broccoli & Cheddar Cheese
Ham & Swiss Cheese
Diced Smoked Salmon & Havarti with Dill Cheese

Crust:
1 1/4 cups gluten free all-purpose baking mix
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
2 teaspoons sugar
6 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cubed
3 tablespoons Crisco Shortening
1/4 cup ice water
11/2 teaspoon white distilled vinegar

Place first 5 ingredients in the bowl of a food processor and pulse with a steel blade a few times to make pea size pieces of dough. Mix the water and vinegar, and slowly add to the mix drop by drop through the feed tube as you pulse the mix. Stop when the dough comes together into a ball.

Dump the dough into a pie plate and work it up all the sides in an even layer. Cool in the fridge for 30 minutes. Bake @350 degrees for 10 minutes. Cool and its ready to be filled. ENJOY!!!

Gluten Free Recipes For Kids

By Jennifer S Rigby

Having kids is not an easy job. Daily tasks can sometimes seem so overwhelming. Having five kids of my own, I can completely relate with the day to day frustrations. Fortunately, I do not have any teenagers, yet. With five kids, meal time can be quite chaotic. But how much harder is it, when you must have gluten free recipes for kids as well?

Gluten Free Recipes For Kids

Let's face it. American kids live off of pizza, hamburgers, macaroni and cheese, chicken nuggets, hot dogs, and the list of junk goes on and on. All of this garbage food is making obesity in children a norm. Not only that, but it is all full of gluten. With children that are on a gluten-free diet, it makes it very challenging to cook for them. Despite these challenges, there are actually a lot of options out there that are great gluten-free recipes for kids.

Let's begin with fruit as a snack. Fruit is naturally sweet and vitamin packed, unlike all of the foods listed above. What about a smoothie? Smoothies are extremely tasty, with the natural fruit sugar, and are very filling. Making that smoothie dairy-free, gluten-free, and all natural ensures that all food allergies are addressed and health is taken into consideration. Smoothies are very easy to make and will leave kids asking for more. When I make smoothies, it seems there is never enough to go around.

What ingredients make a great smoothie? The ingredients all depend on your kids' personal preference. We love to combine peaches, strawberries, blackberries, and freshly squeezed orange juice. Some days, I am too lazy to juice oranges and will just exchange coconut milk for the juice. Other days, I do not want to add blackberries. And just recently, I decided to use coconut milk, a very small portion of a banana, and strawberries together. You can't go wrong with smoothies. All you need is some fruit, a blender, and an ability to experiment!

For lunch, a chicken nugget recipe does not need to be thrown out the window. Just use common sense and make them all natural. They are easy to make and taste great. All you need is cubed chicken, eggs, a gluten-free flour blend, paprika, and pepper. Dip the chicken in the eggs and the flour. Place them on a pan and sprinkle paprika and pepper. They take a very short time to bake. Once they are done, the kids are scrambling to the table to get as many as possible.

For dinner, spaghetti is one of the many gluten-free recipes for kids. When making spaghetti, simply buy gluten-free pasta. I have a favorite brand that I use all of the time, which has a good flavor and texture. Then, I make my own homemade spaghetti sauce. All I use is tomato puree, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Throw that in with some hamburger, and dinner is served.

I have a harder time making dessert. I have some gluten-free dessert recipes that are good, but I struggle with getting the texture of the dessert just right (it can be a little dry). I have figured out how to make a good gluten-free, dairy-free, banana cream pie filling and pie crust. The texture is good and the flavor leaves you craving more. What kid wouldn't go for a great dessert recipe? All of the ingredients that are needed are coconut milk, eggs, evaporated cane juice crystals, a gluten-free flour blend, vanilla, and a natural buttery spread. It is easy to make this pie filling.

So, don't give up on finding great gluten-free recipes for kids. It is actually easier than it seems at first. It is a blessing to give up gluten. Just think no more greasy pizza, nitrate filled hot dogs with buns, cheeseburgers, chicken nuggets, and macaroni and cheese. Throw out the preservatives and cook all natural foods that your kids will come back to over and over again. When they are parents, they will be thankful that you took the time to take care of them and fed them all natural gluten-free foods.

Let Them Eat Chocolate Cake! Gluten Free Dairy Free Dessert Recipe

By Jessica M Dean

It seems like more and more people are becoming sensitive and allergic to so many things! It feels like an allergy epidemic but maybe it's just me blowing things out of proportion. Anyway, my biggest concern about this epidemic is how can I make a chocolate cake that tastes like chocolate cake and not like a carob-quinoa-sprout-raw cacao-brownish thingy??? This was really scary and quite a conundrum for me.

Let Them Eat Chocolate Cake! Gluten Free Dairy Free Dessert Recipe

It's easy to break out the rice flour, tapioca starch, canola oil, corn oil, etc. but the end result of those ingredients are, to me, very dry and tasteless. Those ingredients, both nutritionally and taste-wise do not have high standards at all. So I went into the kitchen and started tampering with my current gluten free chocolate cake recipe to see if I could make it dairy free as well. One of my inspirations for starting my own recipe blog is Elana Amsterdam of Elana's Pantry. I use her site as a reference point from time to time for my own creations. So I visited her website once again for a little inspiration and remembered that she uses grapeseed oil as a substitute for butter in her recipes. I had thought about using coconut oil but I wanted to create a chocolate cake that tastes like old fashioned homemade chocolate cake. So I tinkered with my recipe and came up with a gluten free dairy free chocolate cake recipe that, if I may humbly say, is pretty fricking great! Here it is...

Gluten Free Dairy Free Dessert Recipe: Chocolate Cake

1/2 cup blanched almond flour

1/4 cup coconut flour

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. sea salt

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 oz. coarsely chopped unsweetened chocolate

3/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup grapeseed oil

1/2 cup almond milk, unsweetened

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 tsp. white vinegar

2 eggs

Note: This recipe will make an 8X8 inch square cake. Double the recipe for a 9X13 cake pan or two 9in. cake rounds. For cupcakes, use a 12-cupcake tin and line with cupcake liners. This recipe will yield 12 cupcakes.

Prepare your pan(s). Pour a little grapeseed oil into your baking pan(s) and, using a basting brush, wipe the entire pan and sides with oil. Line pan(s) with parchment and pour a little more oil over the parchment and brush the oil all over the parchment. Set aside.

Preheat oven to 350*.

In a bowl combine flours, cocoa powder, baking soda and sea salt. Set aside.

In a double boiler on medium heat put in the grapeseed oil, sugar and chocolate and let them melt for about 5-7 minutes. Whisk to combine ingredients and then take top pan of double boiler off stove and let cool for about 3-5 minutes. You will combine all the rest of the ingredients in this pan.

When chocolate mixture has cooled to warm add eggs, vanilla and vinegar and mix well with your whisk. Next add the flour mixture and unsweetened almond milk alternately in 2 batches. Whisk well to incorporate all ingredients.

Pour into your prepared baking pan(s) and bake for 30 minutes or until inserted toothpick comes out clean.

For cupcakes, fill each cupcake liner to half with the batter. Bake cupcakes for 15 minutes.

Cool your cake(s) completely and frost.

Here's a simple gluten free dairy free chocolate frosting for your cake (cupcakes):

1/2 cup grapeseed oil

1 cup organic powdered sugar

1/2-3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 tbsp. vanilla extract

a pinch of sea salt

Put all ingredients into a mixer bowl and beat with a hand beater or stand mixer until all ingredients are well blended and creamed together. Put buttercream in refrigerator for 1 hour or until ready to use. Before using, mix again, mixing until sheen forms on buttercream, about 20-30 seconds and then frost cupcakes or cake.

I hope you enjoy this delightful delectable.