FitSugar

Food Review: Clean Cravings Gluten-Free Crusts

FitSugar — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 10:00:00 -0700

I experimented with a gluten-free diet in college for a variety of reasons. My strongest memory from that period of my life was missing pizza. Crust was a digestive curse. Now if Clean Cravings and its line of crusts had been around, things could have been much different. The brand has created a line of crusts made without wheat, gluten, dairy, casein, yeast, soy, corn, sugar, peanuts, or nightshade vegetables. For folks with food allergies, this is a blessing.

To see how Clean Craving mini crusts taste and their caloric content, read more.

	1 5-inch crust	1 5-inch crust (rosemary)
Calories	160	160
Total Fat (g)	1.5	1.5
Saturated Fat (g)	0	0
Cholesterol (mg)	3	2
Sodium (mg)	280	290
Carbs (g)	34	34
Fiber (g)	3	3
Protein (g)	2	2
Calcium (mg)	2 %	0 %
Iron (mg)	6 %	4 %

These crusts have a satisfyingly moist and chewy texture, and they're full of nutty flavor with subtle sweetness. Use them to make pizza, top them and serve as appetizers, make sandwiches, cut and toast them and serve with dip, or eat them on their own. As far as gluten-free foods go, I've tried my fair share, and these really do taste good. So far, my favorite way to eat them is to smear on a layer of pesto, sprinkle some mozzarella cheese, and add a slice of tomato. Pop it in the toaster and this savory snack tastes warm and chewy with a hint of crispiness. You can buy a three-pack of five-inch minis for $5.99, or a single 12-inch crust for $7.99 - definitely not cheap, but to avoid stomach cramps and still eat tasty foods, I'd say they're worth it.

Label Able: Certified Gluten-Free

FitSugar — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 14:30:00 -0700

If you're one of the 3 million people suffering from an allergy to gluten then here's some good news. More and more products are donning this trademarked symbol that lets you know they are certified gluten free by the Gluten Free Certification Organization (GFCO). This group inspects products to ensure that they contain less than 10 parts per million (ppm) of gluten, which is an amount low enough not to cause a reaction in someone with this allergy. If a product passes the test, like this Stonyfield Farms yogurt then the manufacturer is allowed to add this symbol to their label.

Gluten is the plant protein found in wheat, rye, barley, and some oats. People allergic to gluten suffer from severe stomach problems, and in order to avoid symptoms the only option is to avoid it. That's why it's imperative they know which foods are safe. If you're interested in seeing the complete list of products labeled with this symbol, check out the GFCO website.

Food Review: Almond Nut-Thins

FitSugar — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 13:00:00 -0700

I have a friend who can't eat foods that contain gluten, and the other night I was having a little dinner party. I wanted to make sure she could eat the cheese and crackers, too, so I decided to pick up some gluten-free Almond Nut-Thins. I've definitely eaten some not-so-great gluten-free foods in my day, so how did these taste? To find out read more.

Serving Size	16 crackers
Calories	130
Total Fat	2.5g
Saturated Fat	0g
Cholesterol	0mg
Sodium	115mg
Carbs	23g
Fiber	less than 1g
Sugar	0g
Protein	3g

I've got to say that these crackers didn't look too appetizing when I peeked in the box, but when I tried them, they had a nice buttery flavor. The texture was very light, crunchy, and crispy, and they tasted great on their own or with hummus or cheese. Plus, check out the calories - only 130 for 16 crackers! Not to mention that each serving is cholesterol free, low in sodium, and contains 3g of protein (from the almonds). I'd definitely buy these again for myself and not just for my gluten-free friends.

If You Love Sesame Seeds, You'll Love BumbleBars

FitSugar — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 11:00:00 -0700

When it comes to food, I definitely judge a snack bar by its package. The bright golden colored wrapper on the BumbleBar is what attracted me to it (I also like cute names). Many energy bars can include lots of crappy ingredients, but when I flipped this bar over and read the nutritional info, I was pleasantly surprised.

After I checked out the website, I discovered that BumbleBars were designed by a woman (wahoo!) named Liz Ward. She lived in the woods and hiked 8 miles every day. She thought it was a crazy oxymoron that hikers were outside in this beautiful environment, but they were eating foods that harmed the planet (she's against non-organic and dairy based foods). So she developed organic, vegan and gluten-free Bumblebars.

I tried the Original flavor. If you want to take a peek at the picture and the nutritional info, and hear what I thought then read more

Serving Size	1 bar
Calories	230
Total Fat	16g
Saturated Fat	2g
Cholesterol	0mg
Sodium	75mg
Carbs	17g
Fiber	5g
Sugar	9g
Protein	6g
Ingredients	Organic sesame seeds, Organic brown rice syrup, organic flaxseed, organic evaporated cane juice, organic peanuts, organic vanilla, organic cinnamon, sea salt, natural vitamin E for freshness.

This bar is all about sesame seeds and flaxseeds. Initially, when you take a bite, it has a delightful vanilla and cinnamon flavor, but that soon wears away and you're left with the earthy flavor of those two seeds. Sesame seeds are not my favorite so I wasn't a huge fan of the seedy aftertaste, but I do like the fact that this bar is made with all organic ingredients. What's more? One bar has tons of protein and fiber. I'm telling you, if you LOVE sesame seeds, this is the bar for you.

Tummy Troubles? Could Be Gluten

FitSugar — Fri, 01 Dec 2006 11:15:00 -0800

Gluten is in everything. From bread, to pasta, to cookies, to crackers, and even soy sauce - it's hard to get away from it.

Gluten is the protein in wheat, rye, oats, and barley. Some people are born with a genetic disorder called Celiac disease (CD), and eating anything with gluten in it can cause major bodily problems.

The thing about CD is that you won't necessarily have symptoms starting at birth. It can be triggered by emotional events, like going away to college, or physical changes like pregnancy or puberty.

Well, whatever sets it off, there is no cure. In order to avoid knife stabbing stomach cramps and other tummy troubles (use your imagination on this one), a person with CD has to steer clear of anything containing those offensive glutinous grains.

If you think you might have CD, talk to your doctor about getting screened for the condition.

Fit's Tips: If you or someone you know is looking for great info on CD, I learned so much from this book. The author's down-to-earth attitude and sense of humor make an otherwise traumatic disease, much easier to live with.

Have You Ever Tried a Gluten Free Diet?

FitSugar — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 04:30:00 -0700

Somewhere between leaving home after high school and graduating college, I toyed with the idea of giving up gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley and rye. So many people I knew were living gluten free lives and claimed to feel so much better for giving it up. In fact, gluten free living seems to be on the rise.

Doctors estimate that one percent of the US population has Celiac disease, an extreme intolerance to gluten, but according to food marketers upwards of 15 to 25 percent of food consumers (that's you and me) want gluten free foods. Many see eating gluten free as a new fad diet. You all remember that Oprah Winfrey 21 day cleanse included giving up gluten.

I am curious about you . . .

Source

Quinoa Pasta

FitSugar — Fri, 09 Mar 2007 03:30:00 -0800

If you're like me, you're always looking for something new to make for dinner that is tasty and healthy, you should give quinoa pasta a try.

It's made with a blend of quinoa and corn flours, so it's wheat and gluten free, making this pasta much easier on your tummy. Each serving contains 2.5g of fiber and 5g of protein, which is about the same in regular semolina pasta. However, if you're watching your carbs, quinoa pasta has a little less.

You can get linguine spaghetti, elbows, spirals, or my favorite shape, garden pagodas. These are great for kids because they are colored red and green with dried red bell pepper and spinach (but they taste the same).

Quinoa pasta is quick and easy to cook. Just boil some water and throw the dried pasta in. It doesn't take as long to cook as regular semolina pasta, so just watch it because if you overcook it, it gets really soggy and squishy, like when you leave cereal in milk too long.

Fit's Tips: Add sautéed veggies like mushrooms, red peppers, and zucchini and your favorite tomato sauce and you're good to go. Buy it at your local health food store or online for $2.59.

Jenny McCarthy Is Gluten- and Dairy-Free and in Shape

FitSugar — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 05:50:00 -0700

In Shape magazine, that is - on the cover of the May issue. Actress, author, autism activist, and mother Jenny McCarthy said she ballooned to 211 pounds after the birth of her son, who's now 6 years old. Weight Watchers helped her slim down since it taught her about portion control and to be conscious of what she eats.

Then three years ago she switched to a diet that's gluten- and dairy-free, to match her son Evan's diet. Not only did it help her shed even more weight, but it's greatly improved her son's autism symptoms. A typical day consists of an egg white omelet for breakfast, then for lunch and dinner she enjoys fresh fruit and veggies (she purées them to make her own soups) with fish. For snacks she loves “those little packets of nuts from Starbucks.” Jenny also stays strong and flexible by practicing yoga, and is even trying to teach it to her honey, Jim Carrey. Check out the May issue of Shape for her 15-minute yoga sculpting workout.

Source

Pick the Gluten-Free Food

FitSugar — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 08:00:59 -0700

There are those who avoid gluten because it causes breakouts or makes them tired. Then there are folks with celiac disease. If they eat gluten, they can permanently damage the lining of their intestines, causing serious health issues. What foods are safe and which should be avoided? Test your gluten smarts with this quiz.

Question 1 of 5

Which of these foods is free of gluten?

Food Review: Chia Goodness

FitSugar — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 12:30:52 -0700

Chia seeds are in fact used to grow Chia pets, but these little brown seeds are also an excellent source of omega-3s. If you're worried about getting enough of this valuable nutrient, then check out this new cereal called Chia Goodness.

This gluten-free cereal contains more calcium than a glass of milk, more omega-3s than flaxseeds, and is a great source of fiber. It sounds healthy, but if you're curious to know how it tastes then read more.

The directions on the package say to stir two tablespoons with 1/3 cup of hot or cold liquid such as milk, soymilk, or water. Then you wait three to five minutes for the liquid to absorb. I mixed the Apple Almond Cinnamon with hot water, and this is what it looked like after eight minutes.

I have to say, it smelled really good, like homemade apple pie. The consistency however is really bizarre. When chia seeds get wet, they become gelatinous, so they feel slimy and wet. The texture reminded me exactly of the gooey seeds inside cherry tomatoes. This Chia Goodness may be healthy, but in my opinion, it's a little too weird to eat on its own (not to mention it doesn't exactly look too appetizing). It tasted much better when sprinkled on my yogurt. Check out the nutritional info below of all three varieties.

	Original	Cranberry Ginger	Apple Almond Cinnamon
Calories	140	140	140
Total Fat	8 g	7 g	6 g
Saturated Fat	1 g	1 g	.5 g
Cholesterol	0 mg	0 mg	0 mg
Sodium	125 mg	120 mg	125 mg
Carbs	14 g	16 g	16 g
Fiber	5 g	4 g	4 g
Sugars	0 g	3 g	4 g
Protein	6 g	4 g	4 g
Omega-3	4 g	3 g	3 g
Omega-6	2.5 g	2 g	1.5 g
Ingredients	Chia, buckwheat, hulled hemp seeds, celtic sea salt.	Chia, buckwheat, hulled hemp seeds, pumpkin seeds, currants, cranberries, organic cane sugar, ginger, celtic sea salt.	Chia, buckwheat, hulled hemp seeds, dehydrated apples, almonds, raisins, organic cane sugar, cinnamon, celtic sea salt.