I just found out I have Celiac Disease and must become gluten-free. Do you have any suggestions on gluten-free snacks? Is it unhealthy to be having more intakes of corn and rice based products? – Dena O.
Snacks based on fruit, nuts, seeds, milk, eggs or meats are no-brainers. Examples include good old-fashioned celery with natural peanut butter, cheese and apples, or hard-cooked egg and grapes. If you want something sweet or savory from a box or bag (think crackers or chips) then it’s trickier to avoid gluten, but many suitable products now line the shelves. You just have to look carefully at the ingredients list if the package doesn’t indicate “gluten-free” or GF.
Some favorite GF snacks of mine include yogurt, edamame (soybeans), sweet potato chips, trail mix, guacamole or salsa with corn tortilla chips, snap peas and carrots with hummus, and GF bars such as Larabar or KIND. I’d recommend you explore options for home and on-the-go that you can stock up on so you won’t be without suitable snacks when you need them.
Corn and rice are fine when replacing wheat as a main carbohydrate source in the diet. Many populations live off these (or potatoes) as their staple food. Your concern should be for how processed your selections are, as products based on these can be wholesome or refined. Popcorn is fine, whereas cheese flavored corn puffs are not. Brown rice cakes or GF wild rice soup are fine, but crisped rice treats are not.
Other readers: Interested in a gluten-free diet for weight loss? CLICK HERE to read our article on the facts.
– Debbie J., MS, RD
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