May is Celiac Awareness Month. Celiac disease is a condition that damages the lining of the small intestine when a person eats gluten. Gluten can be found in wheat, barley, rye, or some oats, preventing the intestine from absorbing necessary nutrients. Today many people are going gluten free, not just those who suffer from an intolerance.
Here are a few things to be mindful of if you’re considering a gluten free diet:
1. Check the Whole Label
A gluten free label does not necessarily equate to healthy or nutritious.
2. Check the Sugar Content
Sometimes products will make up for a lack of gluten by adding excess sugar.
3. Avoiding Gluten Completely is Tough
It means more than just giving up traditional breads, cereals, pasta, pizza, and beer. Gluten also lurks in many other products. Make sure to familiarize yourself with sources of gluten.
If you want to give up gluten the healthy way, here are some great tips:
- Avoid anything processed; gluten free or not.
- Eat whole foods that are naturally gluten free such as fruits and vegetables, eggs, meat, fish, nuts and seeds.
- Beware if the package has a health claim on it. Fancy labelling is often a lovely disguise for hidden ingredients.
- Load up on fermented foods for gut health such as sauerkraut, kimchi, and kefir.
- Consider getting tested to see if gluten intolerance really is an issue for you. This can really motivate you towards a gluten free lifestyle.
Pancakes are one of my favourite breakfast/snack foods. I usually make an oat-based pancake but these are a nice hearty gluten free alternative. Give them a try!
Gluten Free Cinnamon Almond Flax Pancakes
- 1 cup almond flour
- 2 Tbsp flaxseed meal
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 2 large eggs
- 2 Tbsp milk
- 2 tsp vanilla
- 1 Tbsp coconut oil
- Maple syrup for topping
Makes about 8 medium pancakes
What to Do:
- Whisk almond flour, flaxseed meal, baking soda, cinnamon and salt in a medium bowl until well blended.
- In a separate bowl whisk together egg, milk and vanilla then add wet to dry and mix to incorporate.
- Spoon 2 Tbsp of batter onto an oiled skillet. Cook over medium heat until bubbles begin to form.
- Flip and cook for another minute or two on the other side. Repeat with remaining batter.
- Serve with mixed berries and top with maple syrup and Greek yogurt desired.
**Cooked pancakes can be frozen individually and then popped into toaster for an easy satisfying snack.
Our Power Up Mission is simply to educate our customers on the importance of using quality food as fuel. For all your Power Up news make sure you check out Vince’s Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Also make sure to follow @VincesMarket and #powerupwithvinces, sign up for our Power Up Newsletter and keep an eye out for nutrition tips and tricks from me, our in-house nutrition expert!
To our health & wellbeing,
Danielle
