gluten free crackers

Gluten-Free snack crackers made from chickpea, green and red lentil, yellow pea and pinto and navy bean flours are both healthy and tasty, according to a report published in Food Research International.

Researchers at a Canadian food processing development center saw “untapped potential in consumer appeal and health benefits” when these ingredients, called pulses, are used, according to Food Navigator.

The researchers said pulses contain: complex carbohydrates -including dietary fiber, high protein, B-vitamins, folates, iron, antioxidants and polyphenols.

As a result of the study, the chickpea cracker formulation will be tested in a commercial-scale processing trial.

The researchers did note that the market for gluten-free crackers is getting saturated, but argued there is still room for products that are nutrient rich.

I would agree. Anytime there is growth in the number of healthy gluten-free options, it’s good for everyone who is gluten free.

Before I post, I want to share the good news…our next issue is on press! It’s a really good one and all of our energies have been focused on print media for the past couple of weeks.

I’ve been preoccupied for a bit longer and can’t believe how much time has elapsed since my last post. I find that stress doesn’t do much for creativity.

I don’t recall a period of my life where I’ve been under so much pressure. When I look at the cost of college and I look at what happened to my college savings, when people all around me are getting laid off, when my advertising pages are off their usual numbers, when, as an “elected official” in my town, I am swept up in nasty small town politics…the stomach acid just flows. You know what I am craving? Saltines.

Saltines are those bland, sodium laden crackers that are just perfect for an acid gut and I can’t eat them. I’ve tried toast. I’ve tried plain cereals. I’ve tried a variety of rice crackers. Nothing is taking their place right now.

I always felt bad for my celiac son when the 24 hour flu bug hit the house. Everyone else eased back in to eating after a killer attack of the vomitrociousness with ginger ale and saltines. Of course, he’s been on a gluten-free diet for so long that he doesn’t know what he’s missing. He thinks plain toast is what you eat after you’ve been ill.

So in lieu of Saltines, I have been planning a reunion with my high school friends. I read in the paper this weekend about the benefits of life long friends and figured these ladies who knew me when I was a total lurch with buck teeth would quell the acid in my stomach far better than any food. But, if anyone has the perfect gluten-free answer to Saltines…by all means, let me know.