Gluten is a protein found in some grains including wheat (and varieties of wheat), barley, triticale, and rye. Those with an autoimmune condition known as celiac disease get very sick when they come into any contact with gluten. This connection has long been established. But more recently, a new condition is known as “nonceliac gluten sensitivity” has been recognized by the medical community. People with this condition find that they do a lot better on a gluten-free diet.
While it does not hurt someone to stop consuming gluten who may not have a sensitivity to it, it will hurt someone to continue to consume it if they don’t tolerate it well. This is especially the case if the gluten-free diet focuses on including whole foods such as quinoa, oats, brown rice, potatoes and beans for carbohydrate versus using a ton of gluten-free processed substitutes.
This was the case for Kelli Shallal, Registered Dietitian and owner of WTE? Meal Plans. “My recipes are gluten-free because my husband does not do well with gluten. It was easy for me to eat gluten free alongside him because I never though refined white flour was the healthiest cooking choice anyway. It was a natural process to focus more on cooking with gluten-free flours such as almond flour and coconut flour which provide more nutrients than refined white flours do. ”
Kelli decided to provide gluten-free meal plans that focused on whole foods rather than gluten-free substitutes. WTE? gluten-free plans allow the entire family to be able to enjoy the meals on the meal plans, regardless of whether the individual needs to be gluten-free or not. On occasion, our meal plans may call for gluten-free bread or wrap substitute. You can always sub a gluten-free product on the shopping list for a whole grain version of your choice. With the exception of these few occasions, we believe that you won’t’ even realize WTE? plans are gluten-free, it’s really about whole foods that provide steady energy and the most nutrients.
Bottom Line:
WTE? Meal Plans are gluten-free because Kelli cooks gluten-free for her blog Hungry Hobby and her husband, so the recipes on the meal plans are gluten-free. Going gluten-free is not harmful to those who can tolerate it, but consuming gluten is detrimental to those who can’t tolerate it. By keeping gluten out of WTE? meal plans, we make sure everyone in your family can enjoy them!
Thanks for sharing this information. I was looking for some gluten-free recipes.