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Rice: Is It Gluten Free?

If you’ve been living the gluten-free lifestyle for some time, it’s not a surprise to hear that rice is, indeed, gluten free. In fact, rice is the most widely-eaten cereal grain on the planet with more than 3 billion people – that’s half the world’s population – relying on the grain each day.

Inexpensive, nutritious, and versatile: The reasons for adding more rice to your plate are plentiful. It’s often a go-to ingredient for many pre-packaged gluten-free products. Also, rice flour is a staple in many gluten-free kitchens.

While unprocessed rice is gluten free, including white, brown, jasmine, and many, many more (there are more than 40,000 varieties), there are some things to consider when shopping or eating out.

Be sure to carefully check the label on rice that is sold prepackaged with spices or sauces. There’ a chance that the ingredients in the spices or sauces may not be gluten free. One common product to watch out for is rice pilaf, traditionally made with orzo, a pasta, which is definitely not gluten free.

Another, perhaps less obvious, concern is cross-contamination. Unless the rice your purchase is certified or labeled gluten free there’s a chance it may have been contaminated with barley or wheat during processing. One thing to definitely avoid is purchasing rice from a bulk bin in the supermarket. It’s all too easy for shoppers to use the same scoop for gluten-filled grains and gluten-free rice. When eating out, be sure to ask waitstaff about how the kitchen prepares the rice and make sure nothing’s been added that would contaminate your meal with gluten.

Gluten-free rice recipes

Whether it’s basmati, aborrio, wild, brown, short grain or long grain rice, there is a perfect side dish for every meal. If you’re getting hungry, check out these gluten-free recipes that use rice in a variety of delicious ways.

Stonyfield Organic Introduces New Probiotic, Gluten-Free Yogurt

Gluten free and looking for a probiotic fix? Stonyfield Organic now has you covered.

On Jan. 15, the organic yogurt maker announced the launch of Daily Probiotics, a probiotic yogurt drink designed to support both immune and digestive health. Available in two flavors, Blueberry Pomegranate and Strawberry Acai, the new Daily Probiotics include real fruit and organic low-fat milk.

According to Stonyfield, the move follows increasing interest in preventive daily healthcare, which is fueling demand for convenient products made with probiotics. The global probiotics market is predicted to reach nearly 80 billion dollars by 2025.

“Beyond the standard cultures that are required, you may be surprised to learn that many yogurts actually do not contain the probiotic cultures that help support your immune system health,” said Maya Feller, RD. “Studies have shown that eating yogurt rich in probiotics can help foster the beneficial gut bacteria that support an improved immune system by possibly increasing white blood cell counts, so it’s important to look for yogurts that include these specific strains.”

Daily Probiotics shots are USDA Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified and gluten-free. Daily Probiotics shots are available in the yogurt aisle of retailers nationwide in a 3.1oz. 6-pack format for a suggested retail price of $4.49. For more information visit stonyfield.com.

Is the Keto Diet Gluten Free?

Within the past five years or so, the gluten free and ketogenic, or “keto,” diets have made the jump from medical necessities to mainstream menus as many, many people all over the world have reduced or eliminated grains.

Both diets have been trendy for some time now. Whether that’s a good thing is up for debate, but both have been around much longer than many might realize. The keto diet was first discovered in the 1920s by a doctor who found that the diet was an effective treatment for children with epilepsy. In the 1940s, it was proved that eliminating gluten from the diets of those with celiac also eliminated symptoms associated with the disease.

At first glance, the diets appear similar. Going gluten free requires ditching all forms of gluten and the keto diet calls for a dramatic reduction of carbohydrates while increasing the amount of dietary fat one eats.

Essentially, the keto diet is not strictly gluten free. Generally, those following the diet limit carb intake to 50g per day. Those carbs could come from grains, however, many following the diet opt for fresh fruits and vegetables to reach that limit. Whether or not someone should go keto while living the gluten-free lifestyle is a decision that should be made carefully.

When followed properly, the keto diet drastically limits the number of carbs a person eats each day. The keto diet calls for making fat 75% of a diet, protein 20% and carbs 5%. Following the diet sends the body into a state of ketosis, which forces it to burn fats instead of carbohydrates for fuel. Several studies show that the diet does help people lose weight, keep it off, and lower risk factors for disease.

It’s important to do some research before adopting the keto diet, though. And since the diet causes a drastic physiological change it’s critical to consult a doctor before adopting the diet, especially if you remain gluten free.

“Keto flu” often appears soon after the diet is started. Symptoms include nausea, fatigue, brain fog, and hunger. These symptoms are temporary and should disappear once the body starts burning fat instead of carbohydrates. Minor side effects may also include bad breath, leg cramps, and an elevated heart rate.

For some people, the keto diet is not appropriate. Patients who have the following conditions in their medical history should discuss the keto diet with their doctor before starting: pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, impaired liver function, gastric bypass, kidney failure and more. Those who are pregnant or breastfeeding should also consult with a doctor.

All that said, the diet’s restriction on all grains makes it an easy transition for those already eating gluten free. So, if you have celiac disease the keto diet may be a smart option for weight loss. But it’s critical to do some research before taking the plunge.

Where to Get Your Gluten-Free Fix on National Glazed Donut Day

With National Glazed Donut Day on January 12, many of our gluten-sensitive friends may be feeling left out.

Fortunately, there is a new way to get in on the fun in an authentic way!

Just outside of Boston, Freedom Bakery is producing a gluten-free donut that is a REAL donut (as opposed to a gluten-free cake with a hole punched through it).

Created by a trio of families – all of whom were dealing with Celiac and all of whom had more than three decades of experience in food service (particularly baking) – and a registered dietician who was eager to expand options for her clients and friends dealing with this challenging dietary restriction, Freedom has already begun to distribute their donuts (which also come in apple cider and Devil’s food varieties) nationwide and to give other donut shops a run for their coffee money!

In addition to being free from gluten, Freedom’s donuts are also free from dairy, soy, peanuts, and tree nuts, and cholesterol, and are even kosher, in order to appeal to the widest possible audience. Even if your diet is not so restricted, however, you too will surely love the freedom of Freedom Bakery.

Gluten-Free Living recently spoke with Molly Winsten, Freedom Bakery’s director of operations, about its unique approach to gluten-free donuts.

Q. What prompted you to enter the world of gluten-free foods?

A. Freedom Bakery came about as a result of many years of refining our recipe for an authentic great tasting GF donut. There are many gluten-free bakery items available in the freezer section of specialty stores, but there are very few great-tasting products sold in the bakery. We are proud to introduce our real GF mini doughnuts that have the taste and texture of a freshly made doughnut. Freedom Bakery GF products are sold on the shelf and not in the freezer!

Our products are not just good for gluten free – they are good PERIOD. Our goal was to create a donut that tasted so good you would never know it is gluten, dairy, nut, and soy free.

Q. What do you see as the main differences between GF foods and their gluten-ed counterparts?

A. Many gluten-free foods are trying to mimic products that already exist, and therefore they end being “good for gluten free” at best. They are trying to recreate something that already has a successful formula, and therefore the recreated product ends up being “ok for gluten free”. Our goal was never to do that – we just wanted to create a great product that happened to be GF, versus mimic something that already exists.

Q. What is the biggest misconception about GF foods? How do you hope to change the view of GF foods among the general public?

A. There is a misconception that gluten free bakery products will never taste as good as items that are made with gluten. There are however many ingredients that are gluten free naturally. We intend to show that our products made without gluten can be just as good, if not better, than their gluten-ed counterparts.

Q. What is your favorite GF recipe?

A. We have worked very hard here at Freedom Bakery to come up with a winning formula for our donuts. We want our products to be enjoyed by everyone, not just those with dietary restrictions. Our Old Fashioned Minis and Devil’s Food Minis are the base flavors and will be offering seasonal flavors in the future. We will also be producing a line of full-sized donuts for food service that are individually wrapped and labeled.

Q. What makes Freedom Donuts different?

Gluten-Free Living Taste Test: Ian’s Fish Sticks, Cappello’s Pizza, and More!

Every two weeks or so, we sample new – and new-to-you – gluten-free snacks, meals, and sometimes drinks on Gluten-Free Living‘s live taste test. On Jan. 9, our panel of tasters shared their first impressions on offerings from Ian’s Gluten-Free Fish Sticks, Cappello’s Grain Free Pasta, Just the Cheese and more! See below for the video and more info on all of the products featured.

Ian’s Gluten-Free Fish Sticks

These fish sticks are cut from whole fillets of certified sustainable Alaska pollock, then lightly breaded with crunchy corn breading. Also, there’s no wheat, milk, casein, eggs, nuts, or soy.

Retail: $9.79

Pepperidge Farm Announces its First Ever Gluten-Free Cookie

Later this month, those living the gluten-free lifestyle will be able to enjoy the latest offering from Pepperidge Farm.

On Wednesday, USA Today reported that the company, founded in 1937, is releasing its first-ever gluten-free product. Pepperidge Farm’s gluten-free Farmhouse Thin & Crispy Milk Chocolate Chip and Butter Crisp cookies will be available in Target, Albertsons, Publix and select grocery stores across the United States.

Look for the cookies in the same aisle where Pepperidge Farm products are sold. The suggested retail price is $3.89, USA Today reports.

Last year, the Girl Scouts of America also jumped into the gluten-free market, releasing its first gluten-free cookie. Read more about that here.

7 Crowd-Pleasing Gluten-Free Game Day Recipes

Whether you’re a football fanatic or not, delightful dips, hot wings and cold drinks will make any game day memorable. In fact, the Big Game, set for Sunday, Feb. 13, is the second biggest day for food consumption in the United States. What’s the first? That would be Thanksgiving. No matter who you’re rooting for, these crowd-pleasing recipes will keep any group of fans satisfied – gluten-free or not.

If junk food is more your style, check out our Top 10 Gluten-Free Junk Foods for some indulgent options.

7. Gluten-Free Spicy Cauliflower Wings

If you have yet to try cauliflower wings, this recipe is a must. These “wings” are covered with a gluten-free flour batter to give a delicious crunch with that perfect kick of spice. While others are enjoying deep-fried chicken wings (in fact, more than 1.3 billion wings are expected to be eaten during the championship), you can get the same crunch and flavor without the guilt. Get the recipe.

Cookbook Corner: 5 Refreshing Recipes from <em>The Defined Dish</em>

Cookbook Corner: 5 Refreshing Recipes from The Defined Dish

The Defined Dish is the first cookbook from lifelong Texan and mother of two young girls Alex Snodgrass, who discovered the Whole30 program, which encourages people to eat whole, natural foods for 30 days, during a bout of postpartum anxiety. She says the change to Whole30 revolutionized her diet and life. This selection of recipes features wholesome, flavorful and gluten-free meals perfect for the whole family.

All recipes reprinted with permission from The Defined Dish: Healthy and Wholesome Weeknight Recipes © 2019 by Alex Snodgrass. Photography ©2019 by Kristen Kilpatrick. Reproduced by permission of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.

5. Gluten-Free Creamy Tomato Basil Soup

“Growing up, something my dad always made for us on busy weeknights was a bowl of tomato soup with a grilled cheese sandwich. It wasn’t anything fancy—the soup was right out of a can—but we absolutely loved it. It’s still one of those delicious comfort meals that I crave after a long day, which is why I came up with this version of a creamy tomato soup for the family, which is just as satisfying as Dad’s, almost as simple and healthier. Grilled cheese optional!”

Cookbook Corner: <em>The Autoimmune Protocol Cookbook</em>

Cookbook Corner: The Autoimmune Protocol Cookbook

This cookbook by Michelle Hoover, NTP, revisits comfort foods we all love but adds a healing twist. The recipes are autoimmune protocol compliant, free of gluten, grains, eggs, dairy, nightshades, legumes, seeds and refined sugars. The Autoimmune Protocol Comfort Food Cookbook has more than 100 scrumptious dishes that fulfill your cravings while being kind to your body.

Reprinted with permission from The Autoimmune Protocol Comfort Food Cookbook by Michelle Hoover, Fair Winds Press, 2019.

Blueberry Waffles

There’s nothing quite like waffles on the weekend, right? You don’t need to buy a box of frozen waffles or go to a diner. All you need is a waffle maker and the ingredients following to make this classic comforting AIP-compliant breakfast.

4 Sweet, Savory and Easy Gluten-Free Breakfast Recipes

Start your morning off on the right foot with these savory and sweet breakfast recipes. Warm-up this winter with gluten-free recipes for a heaping stack of Blueberry Waffles or tasty Southwest Egg Cups. Looking for something light and easy? We’ve got you covered with recipes for Overnight Oats Three Ways and Pineapple Apricot Granola.