Walk into any grocery store or look at any restaurant menu these days and you’ll probably encounter the words “gluten-free”.
Gluten-free obviously refers to food that doesn’t contain gluten, but what does the diet really involve and who is gluten-free food intended for?
In this guide, we tell you everything you need to know about the gluten-free diet. We even throw in some recommendations for meal delivery companies that offer gluten-free food.
Gluten is a substance found in cereal grains, namely wheat, barley, and rye. A gluten-free diet is a diet that excludes consumption of these cereal grains and their derivatives. The gluten-free diet is the only known treatment for people with celiac disease. It is also popular with several other groups, as we explain below.
The gluten-free diet is built mostly, but not exclusively, for people who suffer from celiac. Overall, there are broadly four reasons to go on a gluten-free diet:
The gluten-free diet is easier than it sounds. As long as you follow the basic rules of avoiding certain grains, you can put anything on your plate. The one thing to constantly be alert to is processed food with added gluten.
Here’s what you can eat on a gluten-free diet and when to check the label:
The golden rule of the gluten-free diet is to avoid the three grains that contain gluten: wheat, rye, and barley (or crossbreeds containing at least one of these grains). This sounds easy enough, but it actually requires time and effort. Always read the labels in the grocery store and look for the “gluten-free” symbol when eating out. If in doubt, ask.
For your own peace of mind, it’s good to know which sub-categories of wheat to avoid. Here are some of the most common ones to look out for: bulgur, durum, farina, farro, kamut, graham, spelt, triticale (a hybrid of wheat and rye).
Organizing a gluten-free diet might sound stressful, but the truth is you can eat most of the foods you’ve always enjoyed. The great thing about the gluten-free diet is it can be combined with other diets like low-carb diets, low-fat diets, or a vegan, vegetarian, or pescatarian diet.
This is how the average day might look with a gluten-free diet:
Sun Basket offers a range of healthy meal plans, including a dedicated gluten-free diet plan. Sun Basket’s gluten-free meal plan includes clean proteins such as wild-caught seafood and antibiotic-free and hormone-free meats and organic eggs. The great thing about Sun Basket is that each recipe comes with one of its own signature sauces.
Each meal in Sun Basket’s gluten-free meal plan is carefully curated to contain just the right amounts of carbs, fats, and proteins. Each meal contains at least 20 grams protein and 5 grans fiber per serving. In addition, all Sun Basket’s recipes are rich in omega 3 and all those good types of fats that come from olives, nuts, seeds, and avocados.
Sun Basket’s gluten-free meals are suitable for people with mild gluten sensitivity. Because they are prepared in a facility that handles wheats and other foods that contain gluten, Sun Basket shouldn’t be used by anyone with celiac or severe gluten sensitivity.