Whether you’re newly gluten-free or have been for a long time, food fear during the holidays is always a concern. The thing about food allergies is that you never have a day off- there is no “cheat day.” I can’t just go on vacation and eat whatever I’d like, or go on a family holiday and make a plate without anxiety.
Over the years since I found out I couldn't eat gluten I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve been told, “well can't you just taste a little bit?” Although my reaction to gluten doesn’t result in an anaphylactic response, my symptoms are severe enough for me not to be tempted. Yes, even if I’m standing in a bakery in Paris, I will not budge. Because of this, I’ve spent a lot of time trying new products and foods so that I wouldn’t feel like I was missing out. With my initial diagnosis, came a lot of sadness and confusion. I have always been an advocate for intuitive eating, and nourishing your body and mind- yet I initially felt as if I was living in an extremely restricted space that I had no option of escaping. Now, almost 4 years later I have learned how to navigate eating GF & I feel so much freedom. I no longer walk through the grocery store and cry, but walk through with confidence.
I’ve tried enough gluten-free products, that I’m often the friend people message when they know someone who is newly gluten-free. Nothing makes me happier than sharing my gluten-free journey and showing others that it really isn’t as scary as it seems.
Shoutout to my friend Nora, who was my biggest support and teacher when I found out about my allergy. I strive to be as wonderful to others as Nora was to me when I was a wee little college student.
For a quick refresher, remember that a gluten-free diet means that you do not consume wheat, barley, or rye. Look for those three buzzwords on your food labels! Also, look at the package if it has a certified gluten-free symbol. Eventually, label reading becomes second nature.
Now- the holidays are approaching (maybe I should have written this in November), and whether you are gluten-free, or are serving others that are gluten-free, the stress sets in.
Have no fear, my recommendations below will (hopefully) make your food preparations both delicious and safe for everyone!
These recommendations are solely my own opinion, and I am not getting paid for any promotion. I will also note that these items are gluten-free, and I am not giving my recommendations for other allergens.
Starters
Feel Good Foods GF Mac & Cheese Bites are absolutely heaven. They are one of my top favorite treats and I always feel ‘normal,’ when eating them. They are best prepared in your air fryer and served right away. The macaroni is cheesy and the crust is crispy and perfectly crumbly.
Ians Onion Rings are delicious and easy to make; I usually serve them with sriracha mayo!
Who doesn’t love a good charcuterie board or spinach dip? Below I have linked some of my favorite products that go with anything you’d normally eat cheese or dips with!
Schar's Italian Crostini, these are a little thicker than traditional crackers, but always in my pantry!
Lance GF Crackers, are my go-to crackers when I’m serving guests because most people can’t tell a difference.
Snyder's Pretzels are incredible. Every person I’ve met who has tasted these pretzels actually says they prefer them to regular pretzels (shout out to my inlaws who exclusively eat GF pretzels). My go-to snack recently has been pretzels and hummus; it's both filling and nutritious.
Utz Ripple Potato Chips don’t need an explanation as to why they are amazing.
Other standard Gluten Free starters generally include olives, steamed shrimp, salted nuts, any vegetable as is, any fruit as is, and lastly- lots of chips! As always, you’ll want to check the labels.
Entrees
The thing about eating GF is that almost anything can be made gluten-free, especially if you are making it at home. Entrees I often make, which could easily be made GF are air-fried/baked chicken, salmon, ribs, Italian sausages, steak, pasta with alternative noodles, soup, rice casseroles, and more!
Here are some recommendations that I often use as alternatives if a recipe calls for it!
These breadcrumbs are usually the ones I grab, although I find myself crushing them up a bit smaller. I have used these on chicken and fish; they work best when you coat your food with an egg wash beforehand. Golden Farms Crispy Onions can be used on a casserole or even in a salad. It is common for many recipes to call for cream of mushroom or cream of chicken soup, and while I’ve easily found ways to get around using them- sometimes I stock up on the organic pacific foods brand.
When it comes to making a pasta dish, my recommendation is to only get the noodles made with brown rice and/or quinoa. Never buy noodles made with corn because they taste rubbery and just generally aren’t good. Tinkyada pasta has always been my favorite, and even works great in a cold pasta salad. However, I recently tried the Jovial egg noodles and they are now my first choice when I’m making simple pasta over a casserole.
No meal is ever complete without a little roll or garlic bread on the side. My favorite store-bought garlic bread is Gillians, and while I can make garlic bread at home, nothing beats the gourmet taste of Gillians. Against the Grain Rolls are also a staple in my house; they are heavy but taste good with saucy foods.
Desserts/ Sweet Treats
If you know me- you know how much I love dessert. When I found out about my allergy, I was most heartbroken at how many desserts I would miss out on. However, certain things taste even better gluten-free. Take brownies for example- they are fudgy and dense, which is just how I like them. My favorite brownie mix is the King Arthur brand, which can be found in many King King King Arthur brands and can be found in a lot of stores.
Also, if you have a Wegmans by you I highly recommend their crème brulee and macaroons. Both are labeled as GF however are made with a risk of cross-contamination, as they are made in a shared kitchen. Much of what is written in the post can be found at Wegmans!
My favorite ice cream is from Cold Stone, except I do not have that easily accessible. Instead, I always have a portion of Ben and Jerry's Fish Food; thank you Ben and Jerry's for altering your formulas to have 8 gluten-friendly flavors! Last but not least, my favorite dessert is the Krusteaz Cinnamon Cake. To make this extra special, I will add a layer of apple pie filling before adding the crumble on top. This dessert will knock your socks off and become a family favorite.
While all of these recommendations are according to my opinion and taste, they are ones that I generally get good feedback about. The holidays can be tough for many people, and sometimes the last thing you want to worry about is what you will eat. I hope that this list helps take some stress off- let me know what you think!
Kommentare