ALTERNATIVE TO
WHEAT
Wheat has been
a staple part of our diet for thousands of years. It is used in a wide variety
of products, the most popular one being flour. Wheat, due to its high gluten
content, is best suited for making bread and other baked products. Gluten gives
wheat flour its strength and elasticity, making it very suitable for baking.
However, a lot of people are
allergic or intolerant to gluten, which can cause allergies or celiac disease.
A wheat allergy, caused by an adverse reaction to a protein found in wheat, can
cause symptoms such as chronic gastrointestinal disturbances, infections,
asthma, acne, eczema, joint pains, migraines and fatigue. On the other hand,
celiac is an autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system mistakes
gluten as an allergen and causes symptoms such as decreased appetite, chronic
diarrhea or constipation, vomiting, fatigue and irritability.
Therefore, people who suffer
from a wheat allergy or celiac disease must avoid wheat in any form and follow
a gluten-free diet. Fortunately, there are many wheat alternatives out there
that can be easily included in your diet. These are the top 10 alternatives to
wheat and wheat flour:
1. Quinoa
Quinoa, a pseudo-cereal, is a
seed that is prepared and consumed like a grain. As it is entirely gluten-free,
it can be enjoyed by those who are sensitive to gluten or wheat.
Quinoa is a complete protein
source since it contains all of the essential amino acids. Other important
vitamins and minerals that can be found in quinoa include phosphorus, copper,
manganese, folate, iron, magnesium and zinc. Its crunchy texture and nutty
flavor makes it very popular for both children and adults.
Quinoa needs to be boiled
before it can be consumed, and then it can be eaten as a side dish or breakfast
porridge. It can also be added to salads or soup, or ground up to make quinoa
flour.
2. Buckwheat
Buckwheat also has a nutty,
earthy taste. As it is neither a grain nor related to wheat, it's gluten-free
and can be safely consumed by those who suffer from celiac disease and gluten
intolerance.
Buckwheat is high in fiber,
protein, iron, zinc, magnesium, copper and phosphorus. Furthermore, it is a
good source of B vitamins such as B6, pantothenic acid, niacin, folate, thiamin
and choline. Since these seeds are packed full of antioxidants like tannins,
rutin and catechins, they are often called superfoods.
It is so easy to include
buckwheat in your diet plan and it comes in the form of groats, noodles, seeds
and flour. The groats can be used to make hot or cold cereal. In noodle form,
it can be used to make soups and stir-fries. In flour form, it can be used to
make muffins, breads, cookies and other snacks.
3. Millet
With its sweet, nutty flavor,
millet is considered to be one of the most non-allergenic grains around. It is
one of the few grains that are alkalizing to the body, making it easier to
digest.
These gluten-free, grain-like
seeds are full of magnesium, manganese, calcium, tryptophan, phosphorus, fiber
and several B vitamins. They also have antioxidant powers.
You can use cooked millet to
make breakfast porridge, or you can add it to salads and soups. It's
brown-rice-like appearance and texture, makes it a great ingredient to use in
pilafs, casseroles and the majority of Asian dishes. Ground millet can also be
used in bread, muffin and biscuit recipes instead of the refined flour.
4. Amaranth
Cultivated by the Aztecs over
8,000 years ago, it became the staple food of the Aztecs and Mayans.
Amaranth is full of protein and
fiber, making it filling and very beneficial to your digestive system. It is
also a very good source of essential vitamins such as A,C, E, B5, K, B6,
folate, niacin and riboflavin. In addition, it contains magnesium, copper,
zinc, phosphorus, potassium and calcium. to add to this, it is a powerful
antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting agent.
Its light, nutty flavor makes
it great to use when making healthy snacks. Its flour can be used to thicken
soups, stews, sauces and jellies.
5. Oatmeal
Oats are one of the most
popular whole grains in the whole world, and for very good reason. They are
safe for those with a gluten allergy and are a very good alternative to wheat.
Oats are full of fiber and
other nutrients such as magnesium, iron, potassium, folate, selenium and even
plant-based protein. They also contain a small amount of essential fats.
Furthermore, they contain powerful phytonutrients and antioxidants that are
good for your health.
As some oatmeal brands on the
market contain traces of wheat, barley and rye, you should check the label
thoroughly before buying some.
Oatmeal is usually eaten for
breakfast, but it can be enjoyed at any part of the day. You can add maple
syrup, honey, cinnamon, nutmeg, agave nectar or vanilla to it for added flavor
and health benefits.
You can also find oat flour on
the market, which has a similar nutritional value to oats. When using oat
flour, remember that it needs other flours and starches to work in a recipe.
6. Cassava Flour
This gluten-free flour, made
from cassava root, is a great replacement for wheat flour. It is made by
grating and drying the fibrous cassava root.
Cassava flour is rich in
protein and fiber and is full of vitamin B6, C and K, potassium, folate,
manganese, thiamine, copper, magnesium, riboflavin, phosphorus, zinc and
niacin.
It's nice smooth texture and
mild taste makes it great to use in many different recipes. Cassava flour works
as a thickener for sauces, gravy, soups and so on.
7. Coconut Flour
If you are looking for a very
healthy substitute for refined flour to use in baking, coconut flour is a great
choice.
This flour is excellent for
those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. The flour is derived from
grating the flesh of fresh coconuts, which is then dehydrated and defatted. The
result is a fine powder that looks and feels similar to grain or wheat flours.
Coconut flour is rich in fiber,
protein, calcium, manganese, selenium, potassium and phosphorus. It also
has vitamins, including vitamin B6 and C, folate and niacin.
Furthermore, this flour has
anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antifungal properties.
coconut flour can be used in
place of wheat flour in many different recipes - from breads to cookies to
muffins. It can also be used to make homemade grain-free pizza.
8. Almond Flour
Almond flour is one of the best
alternative to wheat flour. This flour, composed of finely ground almonds, can
be used when baking cakes, biscuits, muffins, breads and so on.
Almond flour has the same
benefits as a handful of almonds. This flour is gluten-free, low in
carbohydrates, and high in fiber and protein. It is rich in vitamins and
minerals such as iron, riboflavin, magnesium, potassium, vitamin E and calcium.
Due to its fatty acid content,
it has a short shelf life. Therefore it is recommended that you grind your own
almonds prior to use.
9. Brown Rice Flour
Brown rice flour is great for
anyone who suffers from celiac disease. It is milled from unpolished brown
rice, so it has a high nutritional value - it is a great source of fiber and
healthy carbohydrates. It is also high in iron, vitamin B, protein, manganese,
copper, calcium, potassium and phosphorus.
It can be used in baking cakes
and cookies and works well in bread recipes. You can also use it to thicken
sauces or for coating meats and fish.
10. Corn
Corn, whether eaten as corn
meal or flour, is gluten-free. Both corn meal and corn flour are made using
dried corn kernels.
Cornmeal and corn flour are
great sources of healthy carbohydrates and fiber. They are rich in antioxidants
such as lutein and zeaxanthin that are great for your eyes.
Corn flour can be made into
polentas and porridges, and used as breading. You can also use it to thicken
liquids and sauces. When purchasing corn meal or corn flour, check the
label thoroughly and opt for organic varieties and avoid GMO corn.
There are many different
alternatives to wheat and wheat flour and this includes sorghum, sorghum flour,
soy flour, chickpea flour, hemp flour, chia flour, potato flour and potato
starch flour.
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