This Paleo Falafel Recipe is not your typical falafel recipe. Typically falafel is made with chickpeas but to keep this recipe paleo I used purple cabbage instead. How this Recipe came to be… I’m not one to share stories before my recipe posts (I like …
This Prebiotic Apple Ginger Chia Seed Pudding makes for the perfect gut nourishing breakfast. It’s flavorful and easy to make. Not to mention this Prebiotic Apple Ginger Chia Seed Pudding recipe is perfect for meal-prep (click here for more gluten-free meal-prep friendly recipes). Because it’s …
Prebiotics are the (often in the form of inulin) found in food that nourishes the probiotics (good bacteria) in your gut. Think of probiotics, the good bacteria, as the superheroes at the forefront of your bodies immune defense and prebiotics kind of as their sidekicks.
Without probiotics, your probiotics have nothing to eat and won’t be able to do their job. They’ll go from helpful citizens to either dead or deadly villains real quick. Either way, if your microbiome (of which your probiotics play a role in) goes out of balance, you’ll be uncomfortable, to say the least.
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Prebiotic Carrot Cake Energy Bites
First, this recipe tastes incredible. I can’t explain to you have excited I was to have embodied carrot cake in a nourishing small adorable energy bite. Not only that, but it’s quick and easy to make and lasts up to a week in the fridge. All features that make these Prebiotic Carrot Cake Energy Bites perfect for meal-prep!
Let’s Talk About the Ingredients in these Prebiotic Carrot Cake Energy Bites
Carrots
The carrots in this recipe are part of what makes it prebiotic. They also help add that carrot cake flavor we all know and love so well. Pro-Tip: peel your carrots for even better taste outcomes!
Coconut Flakes
Coconut flakes are also prebiotic in nature. They too will help nourish the good bacteria in your gut. They also help add texture and flavor. If you don’t have coconut flakes you could try to substitute them out for almond flour but it may result in a texture change.
Dates + Raisins
Dates are prebiotic too and Raisins likely are as well (at this point, you might be asking what isn’t). The dates add a caramel sweet-like flavor to this recipe while the raisins help increase that “carrot” cake flavor we all know and love.
Walnuts
Walnuts are perhaps most well-known or their healthy fat content but findings suggest that they may also be prebiotic. Walnuts contain ALA omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids are thought to support brain health (among a wide variety of other things). The walnuts in this recipe also really help drive the carrot cake flavor home. If you don’t have walnuts I do think any other kind of nut could work but it will definitely change the flavor profile.
Recipe Notes
You might be tempted to skip soaking the dates but I encourage you to let them soak for the full 10-minutes. Letting the dates are a crucial part to making sure that the ingredients stick together and can be rolled into bites!
If you find that you’re struggling with rolling the dough into energy bites try adding in more coconut/walnuts to the mixture. I also recommend letting the dough chill in the fridge for a bit to firm up too.
When you have celiac disease, you have an autoimmune disease. This means your immune system isn’t operating appropriately. In the case of celiac disease, your immune system is being overactive and attacking things that don’t really pose a threat, thus causing damage. This overactivity, in …
Is Distilled Alcohol Safe for a Gluten-Free Lifestyle Many gluten-free people wonder if Distilled Alcohol is safe for a gluten-free lifestyle. The answer? It’s complicated. But in general, the answer is yes, distilled alcohol is generally safe for a gluten-free lifestyle with some exclusions. I …
When you have to live gluten-free it can feel pretty restrictive in how you can socialize. That doesn’t mean however, you can’t go out to socialize. With the proper precautions you can go to bars and restaurants with others safely. Which is why I wrote up this guide to gluten-free drinking at bars to help you navigate drinking with friends while gluten-free.
What SHould I avoid at Bars when Gluten-Free?
If you have celiac you must watch out for cross-contact. If you have non-celiac gluten sensitivity, there are still somethings to watch out for, whether cross-contact impacts you or not.
What to Avoid at Bars if You're Gluten-Free
Be cautious of anything on tap: ideally tap lines are sanitized between use but you won’t know for sure if they are. This can be a point of cc, so ideally you’re ordering drinks not from the tap.
Avoid beer: the most obvious drink to avoid is beer, which is mostly made from gluten containing grains.
Avoid gluten removed or gluten reduced beer: despite gluten being removed/reduced, we don’t have any way of testing to confirm this. To learn more check out Celiac Simplified’s blog post.
Avoid anything you’re unsure about: or anything the bartender is unsure about. My motto is “if you don’t know, say no”.
What to Tell the Bartender when You're Gluten-Free
When gluten-free drinking at bars, ideally, you want to talk to your bartender about your needs and ideally, you want to be thinking clearly when you have this conversation (I.E. not a few drinks in).
Usually, I say something like, “I have a gluten allergy is there anything you know that is safe to drink?”.
If you’re ordering a mixed drink, make sure to limit cross contact by asking them to wash the shaker or ask for your drink to be stirred not shaken.
Alcohols that are Usually Safe For Gluten-Free People
As always do you own research to determine the appropriateness of products for you, with that said there are some generally safe gluten-free and alcohols you can consume:
Hard Cider (most carry gluten-free claims but watch out for some that still contain trace amounts (like Hornsby and Harpoon)).
Tequila(100% from agave – watch out for tequila labled “mixto”)
In the above list I specify alcohols made with gluten-free ingredients, but it is safe for you to consumed distilled alcohols made from gluten-containing grains as long as no gluten-containing ingredients are added back in after distillation (learn more on distilled alcohol safety here).
I specifically listed alcohols brewed with gluten-free ingredients because many (including myself) have a preference for them.
Daiquiri – (light rum, lime juice, simple sugar syrup) be more aware of frozen daiquiris, just make sure the ingredients are up to your standards
Mojitos – (featuring white rum, it’s usually safe)
Margaritas – (made from tequila (make sure it meets your standards), it’s usually safe but as always ask the bartender to check the mix they’re using (if they use one) to make sure it’s safe)
Mexican Mule – (tequila (make sure it’s safe), ginger beer, lime juice, and Cointreau (alcohol made from orange peels))
And any safe gluten-free alcohol mixed with club soda or juice (or both). Just be mindful of what’s going into your drinks and of course, let your bartender know about your needs.
Last Call...
Those are my tips for gluten-free drinking at bars. My LAST tip is to go out with good friends/family who will advocate for you. I have friend’s who sometimes do better than me at making sure what I am ordering is safe. Sometimes it’s nice to have additional advocates by your side!
These Peanut Butter S’mores Fudge Bars are the perfect dessert for anyone. Seriously, whether you are vegan, gluten-free, avoiding nightshades, or even trying to follow a low- FODMAP diet, these Peanut Butter S’mores Fudge Bars will not disappoint. Low-FODMAP diet? Say what? As a dietetic …
Gluten-Free Lifestyle Support – Why it’s important and ways to find it Whether you have non-celiac gluten sensitivity or you have been diagnosed with celiac disease (or another condition that requires living gluten-free), support is instrumental in staying sane. Why gluten-free Lifestyle support is important …
When you’re avoiding nightshades suddenly it feels like an entire cuisine is off-limits. When chilli powder, paprika, and other nightshade spices seem to be in everything it can be tough to find safe sauces for your pasta (or anything). Not to mention when brands just put “spices” on their ingredients list, it can be frustrating. Not to fear, here are my Top Nightshade Free Pasta Sauces from my kitchen to yours!
I have this recipe on my list of Top Nightshade Free Pasta Sauces because it’s gives a mac and cheese feel while also honoring the delicious flavor of butternut squash. Really, it’s easy to make, requires minimal ingredients, and honestly, it is my go to nightshade free pasta sauce.
A nightshade free faux tomato sauce developed by Nightshade Intolerant Michelle Hoover. It’s able to be used as pizza and pasta sauce. It’s absolutely delicious and is well worth a try!
You totally don’t have to make this using a vitamix, any blender should suffice (I used my ninja). Avocado dressing though? Who wouldn’t want their pasta covered in filling and delicious healthy fats?
Also, no, avocado aren’t considered to be nightshades.
Thought the whole cauliflower everything craze was over? You thought wrong and thank goodness for that because this cauliflower alfredo sauce is delicious. Note that to make this recipe nightshade free you need to omit the crushed red pepper flakes.