How many minutes of my life do I spend checking the ingredients on the back of a label at the grocery store? The quick answer is A LOT! As someone with Celiac disease, I think about this all the time. Even with the common knowledge I have around the disease, I still sometimes struggle to find healthy, gluten-free snacks, meals, and treats. In today’s day and age, gluten-free foods have become a lot more accessible and available, though it’s still hard to maintain a healthy diet while trying to stay 100% gluten-free. This is when the importance of meal prepping comes in. With a set of prepared meals readily available in your fridge, you will realize how effortless eating healthy can be. When I was first diagnosed with Celiac, my mom started meal prepping simple bowls, and my diet quickly improved. It’s an easy process that gives a high reward.
Watch Meal Prepping with Bruce | Fuel. Fast. THRIVE. (youtube.com) for inspiration!
Finding consistency in meal prepping can be difficult, and this is when most people turn to the alternative of healthy snacks. Finding healthy snacks is one thing, but finding healthy snacks that are gluten-free is a lot more challenging. I receive a lot of helpful tips and recipes for gluten-free snacks via social media accounts. One of the best accounts that someone with Celiac can follow is @collegeceliackc on Instagram. Casey Cromwell, a self-proclaimed gluten-free Celiac foodie, shares the latest fully gluten-free snacks, foods, restaurants, treats, and more. She is a great resource and has helped me immensely in living with Celiac disease.
With Celiac comes being prone to malnutrition and not being able to absorb nutrients as well as someone without Celiac. And this is why it is so vital to make sure your diet is fulfilling the basic nutritional needs. Some healthy and easy meals and snacks for someone with Celiac disease include quinoa, lentils, walnuts, eggs, meat, and seafood, and of course the basic fruits and vegetables. People with Celiac disease often lack sufficient fiber in their diet because many gluten-free processed foods are low in fiber. So, in order to counter this, a diet full of fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts and seeds will do the trick. With a combination of these foods, someone with Celiac can thrive with the sufficient presence of fiber, nutrients, and protein.
For more information, read Gluten-Free Foods | Celiac Disease Foundation.
Let’s be honest, it’s easier said than done. I still find myself turning to the gluten-free Oreos or Cheetos in the pantry when I am craving something sweet or salty. I’m still working on finding the right balance that will fit my needs–being 100% gluten free, while also getting the nutrients I need. I hope this post will help someone with Celiac, or even someone just wanting to eliminate gluten from their diet and find their way to healthier eating!
For more information on gluten free meals and snacks, give the @collegeceliackc page on Instagram a look! instagram.com/collegeceliackc
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