Keeping up with what’s healthy can feel overwhelming at times.
Eggs are bad for you, eggs are good for you; fats are bad for you, some fats are good for you. The reality is that certain things have always been bad for us, but truth sometimes gets lost in the pile of “get thin quick” diet fads. There are also some foods that, while not necessarily “bad” for you, cause health issues for certain people. Low carb diets have occasionally worn the label of “fad diet” throughout the years. In reality, foods loaded with simple, processed carbohydrates have always been bad for your health. They offer little in the way of nutrition while also carrying a high-calorie content. What’s more, processed carbohydrates are highly addictive, keeping you coming back for more.Eating Gluten Free
If one of your health goals is eliminating processed carbohydrates from your diet, choosing to go gluten-free may help. This is because many of the most carb-heavy foods are packed with gluten, particularly processed and simple carbohydrates. Two offenders that leap to mind are bread and pasta. However, gluten-free does not always mean low-carb, so read labels carefully. For example, you can find many gluten-free bread and pasta options that are still loaded with carbs. Of course, if you’re also cutting processed foods from your diet, you won’t have many labels to read.
If you choose gluten-free foods due to an intolerance of or sensitivity to the protein, you need to look beyond foods known for their high carb content. You find gluten in all of the following:
- Packaged meals and soups
- Protein shakes and bars
- Sauces, marinades, and dressings
- Processed meats, such as bacon
Eliminating Processed Carbohydrates
Gluten-Free Food Substitutes
The following foods are both gluten-free and either low-carb or rich in complex carbs.
- Amaranth is an ancient grain loaded with minerals and amino acids. Use it as a substitute for rice, add it to soups, make it into a porridge, you can even pop it and eat it like popcorn.
- Gluten-free pasta offers the ease and taste of a pasta-based meal without gluten. It still contains significant carbs, though, so read labels carefully, follow suggested serving sizes, and avoid making this a daily diet staple.
- Millet is another popular rice substitute. You may also combine it with rice or quinoa to make a gluten-free porridge.
- Popcorn makes a great snack substitute, so long as you don’t load it with butter and salt or cover it in caramel.
- Quinoa is a bit pricey but many people looking to follow a low-carb or gluten-free diet use it as a substitute for rice.
- Rice is rich in complex carbohydrates, particularly if you choose one of the more colorful varieties.
- Sweet corn has a carb load similar to white potatoes but is packed with fiber.
- Sweet potatoes have a lower glycemic index than white potatoes do, though both options are gluten-free. Both also have fewer carbs than starches such as rice and pasta.
At Clancy Medical Group we believe in a holistic approach to medicine. A simple change in diet instead of medication has been beneficial to some patients. Make an appointment today and explore what the natural possibilities are for your health. Clancy Medical Group (760) 305-1900