If you have been diagnosed with celiac disease, or discover you are healthier when following a gluten-free diet, you might start to feel better without gluten, but you may also feel a bit fatigued.
Why? You may have a hard time identifying healthy gluten-free carbs that can give you bursts of energy or support recovery after rigorous exercise.
This doesn’t mean you have to remain tired while eating only foods without gluten. It’s just a matter of identifying some healthy gluten-free foods to incorporate into your daily diet.
Transitioning to a gluten-free diet filled with energy-rich foods will help you in many ways…
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First, once you eliminate gluten from your diet, your intestine will begin to recover and will absorb nutrients in a much more normal way.
Additionally, you will notice that the digestive discomfort that might have normally taken your energy, and even interrupted exercise, has disappeared too.
So, let’s look at those top ten foods without gluten that will deliver good bursts of energy:
- Beans: The classic food source for a long, slow burn is beans of all kinds. These are high in nutrients and protein, but it is their fiber that provides a great deal of energy. You can use them cooked whole in a huge range of recipes, but many gluten-free eaters are also grinding them into flours and experimenting with them as substitutes in bread and cracker recipes too.
- Brown rice: A great source of carbohydrates, brown rice is also full of fiber and nutrients too. You can find brown rice in many different ways, including as a bulk food, rice flour, or even as a brown rice couscous.
- Apples: High in fiber and natural carbohydrates, apples have pectin and antioxidants that supply the body with many benefits.
- Strawberries: Known as a high vitality food, strawberries are great for hydration and will even help the teeth to become white and sparkling.
- Leafy greens: Because of their immense quantities of fiber, the leafy greens are a great gluten substitute. You can use kale, collard, and chard leaves as “wraps” too, and get a lot of energy from them without any of the negative side effects.
- Melon: High in vitamin C, the many types of melon provide tons of energy and even a good amount of fiber to help with blood sugar regulation.
- Corn: Dried or fresh, corn is loaded with starchy energy that can serve as a great gluten-free substitute for wheat and grains.
- Winter squash: The hard-skinned squash are nutrient-dense and high in fiber, meaning that they are great for energy.
- Nuts: These little powerhouses are packed with nutrients, protein, fiber, and carbohydrates. Just a handful of raw nuts can give you a real blast of energy.
- Flax seeds: These are unique in that they create a gelatinous material when exposed to moisture and can be used whole or ground to a meal as a great flour or wheat substitute.
Once you incorporate these foods into your diet, you will start to feel that energy return!
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