Tennille Alleyne
When the Daily mail recently reportted an excerpt from a cook book authored by Hollywood actress, Gwyneth Paltrow, entitled, "It's all good: Delicious, easy rcipes that will make you look good and feel great", the 40 year old star revealed that she keeps here family of four on a strict carb-free, gluten free diet.
Her revelations quickly became a topical issue, causing many persons to raise eyebrows and cast aspersions on Paltrow's seemingly harsh dietary choices. After the smoke cleared on this hot topic, one wonders if Paltrow is merely a body conscious mother who seeks to coerce her family into dietary boot camp or whether she is simply making smarter choices for a healthier lifestyle?
Gluten is basically a protein complex found most commonly in wheat, barley and rye and is medically accepted as a treatment for persons who suffer from celiac disease. Gluten is the ingredient that actually gives bread and its 'spongy', 'chewy' texture. Persons who suffer from celiac disease normally see the lining of their intestine become inflamed and damaged after eating gluten. This often leads to weight loss and malnutrition. They may also experience abdominal pains and diarrhoea. Many persons avoiding gluten will also avoid processed foods since they are also rife with gluten. But for persons who do not suffer from gluten sensitivity, what are the benefits of a gluten-free diet to them? Is this just the latest fashionable trend?
Persons choosing the gluten-free lifestyle will normally eat organically produced foods with lots of veggies, salads, beans, sweet potato and grains such as quinoa and millet. I actually decided to embark on a less strict gluten-free diet. As suggested, I incorporated more vegetables, using the millet grain as my carb substitute and using almond milk as a dairy substitute. I quickly learned that the gluten-free diet must be a creative one. So it's wise for the person thinking about starting a gluten-free diet to get their hands on a variety of recipes.
This also holds true for using millet flour as the 'flour' substitute in your diet. Many persons I know have touted their change in lifestyle to the elimination of gluten and have seen vast changes physically, especially where weight loss is concerned.
Benefits of the Gluten-Free Diet to the Average Individual
�2 Promotes weight loss
�2 Reduces the risk of heart disease and certain cancers
�2 Helps the body ward off viruses and germs
�2 Promotes the consumption of foods full of antioxidants, essential vitamins and minerals
�2 Promotes an overall positive feeling physically and mentally
Here's a fun, healthy gluten-free recipe to try!
Quinoa Salad with Lime, Garlic and Ginger
Prep. time: 30 minutes
Makes: 2-3 servings
Ingredients
�2 1 cup quinoa (dry measure)
�2 1 tsp cumin
�2 1 tsp turmeric
�2 1 onion, chopped
�2 1 tsp olive oil (or water or veggie broth)
�2 1-2 cloves garlic, minced
�2 1-2 tbsp fresh ginger, minced
�2 1 cup green beans, chopped
�2 2 tomatoes, chopped
�2 1 red pepper, chopped
�2 1 cup spinach, chopped
�2 1 avocado, chopped
�2 1 lime, quartered
�2 1 tbsp sacha inchi or flaxseed oil (optional)
�2 Salt, to taste
Directions
1. Put the quinoa and spices in a dry pot, and turn on to medium-high heat. Let this cook for a few minutes, until the spices and quinoa toast lightly.
2. Add 2 cups of water and a pinch of salt to the pot, cover and bring to a boil. Then turn down to low and simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until the quinoa has absorbed all the water and is light and fluffy.
3. While the quinoa cooks, chop the vegetables and add them (in the order listed) to a pan or pot on medium-high and saut� with oil, water or veggie broth. Add a sprinkle of salt to help them soften and merge their flavours. Add the avocado just at the very end to warm - or just chop and lay it on top if you prefer.
4. Once the quinoa is cooked, squeeze half of the lime into it, and toss with the sacha inchi or flaxseed oil if you're using it. The oil will help carry the flavour of the spices, and has lots of omega-3 fatty acids. You can also use olive oil if you prefer, although it doesn't have the same omega-3 level.
5. Top the seasoned quinoa with some vegetables, and squeeze the rest of the lime juice on top. You can also toss everything together if you like, to make it more salad-like.
