Gluten-Free Grains to Add to Your Recipe Roster

Navigating a gluten-free diet is easier said than done, whether you’re doing it to lead a healthier lifestyle or have an underlying condition you need to address. For one, being on this type of diet means staying away from common grains like barley, rye, and wheat. Fortunately, however, there are some great grains out there that actually complement your diet!

Below, we take a closer look at some gluten-free grains that will make a fantastic addition to any of your recipes.

Buckwheat

Don’t let its name fool you, as buckwheat contains no wheat at all, making it a great gluten-free option. As explained by  Stylecraze , buckwheat is a seed that's considered to be a grain, thanks to its cereal-like properties. Buckwheat is packed with an array of nutrients, such as B vitamins, magnesium, manganese, and zinc, to name a few. Moreover, this nutrient powerhouse is an ideal ingredient for your favourite breakfast recipes like pancakes and granola, thanks to its nutty flavour.

Quinoa

More than just another food trend in the wellness world, quinoa is actually a superfood that’s worth all the buzz. As a complete source of protein, it contains all of the essential amino acids, which help your body build the muscle it needs. But the advantages of eating quinoa go beyond the physical, as we’ve previously shared on our ‘Brain Aging’ post. Indeed, its protein content can even help boost your brainpower! That being said, you should consider incorporating quinoa as the main ingredient in your meals to really reap this grain’s benefit. For instance, you can kick start the day with a bowl of quinoa in milk or try cooking a savoury quinoa paella for lunch or dinner.

Brown Rice

According to a report on  LiveScience , this gluten-free grain has a myriad of health benefits, such as having a low glycemic index, lowering cholesterol, and is filled with various nutrients. But if you’re concerned that the preparation of brown rice might be too complicated, there’s no need to fret, as it’s actually quick and easy. Indeed, the guides on  WeKnowRice  prove that preparing this grain is a lot simpler than you think. With only a few presses on your rice cooker, this grain should be good to eat in no time. On top of this, brown rice is easy to throw into any recipe — whether you toss them into a salad bowl or serve it alongside your meat of choice.

Oats

Oats have been a long-time staple in pantries all across the world, but before you start adding this grain onto your recipe, be sure to check the label. Despite being naturally gluten-free, medical journalist Jane Anderson points out that some farmers and food processors cross-contaminate oats with gluten. To keep gluten at bay, check if the company’s products hold gluten-free certification. Nonetheless, Reader’s Digest notes that oats have plenty of benefits, like maintaining healthy blood sugar and lowering both cholesterol and blood pressure. Whether it’s preparing oat-crusted chicken, perfecting your overnight oats, or even baking oatmeal cookies, you’ll definitely have fun cooking with this grain.

To keep yourself updated on the latest health and wellness news, have a look through our other posts on Amaranth Foods.

Post solely for the use of amaranthfoods.ca by Joan Perkins