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I have said in previous posts that we are really blessed to not have any medical reasons to avoid wheat at our house. But, we are also trying to avoid creating any medical issues when it comes to wheat. I have been reading quite a bit lately about the negative effects of over-consumption of wheat, and I have been inspired to cut back. Not cut out, just not overdoing it.
I have found that wheat can be fairly easy to avoid at breakfast time, as we tend to keep it simple with yogurt, oatmeal (gluten-free oatmeal is available here) or homemade granola with fruit most days. Dinner is still pretty easy if we are eating a meat main dish or soup. It is lunch that seems to be the tricky meal for me. So, I thought I would share with you some of the wheat-less, easy lunches we have been enjoying.
1. Vietnamese Fried Rice – or any quick version of fried rice, this recipe just happens to be insanely delicious :).
2. Lettuce Wraps – These are really versatile, and we honestly do not miss the bread one bit. Fill them with refried beans, tuna salad, chicken, veggies, cheese, leftover fried rice . . . And here is the weird one, but I’m telling you it is worth a try – PB & J! Or PB & honey if you prefer. Ooooo – and add sliced bananas!
3. Soup and smoothies – I make soup quite a bit during the cooler months, and the leftovers make a fantastic, quick lunch. Just make sure you plan ahead and double your recipe so you actually have leftovers at lunch time :).
4. Ants on a Log – Classic. Just plain fun.
5. Baked Potatoes – These can be really versatile as well. Try topping them with chili, pizza sauce and cheese, taco fixin’s, veggies and ranch dressing, broccoli and cheese . . .
6. Eggs – Scrambled, Over Easy, Omelets – all quick, easy and nutritious.
7. Beans and Rice – Or why not just beans? A bowl of pinto or black beans topped with cheese, lettuce, salsa and guacamole is so yummy. Or just top with shredded cheese and chopped tomato to really save time.
8. Lentils and Spinach – This recipe really is tasty. Much more so than its boring name would lead you to believe. I usually make a huge pot with lentils and brown rice. Top with fresh chopped tomatoes and cucumbers.
9. Cottage Mac and Cheese – This is my box-less version of a kid favorite. Make with brown rice pasta.
I would love to hear from you now! Help me add to my repertoire – what are your wheat-free favorites?
To see one of my gluten-free menu plans using simple foods we all recognize, click here!
Join me at Kitchen Tip Tuesdays for more ideas!
This post is also linked to Real Food Wednesday and Works For Me Wednesday
Love this post Jenna! I agree with the over consumption of wheat in the average diet today. We had gone gluten-free for about two months and as soon as we added it back we did not feel well. During that two months, it was difficult to find wheat-free alternatives especially for lunch if there were no leftovers. We have eaten most of the dishes you’ve mentioned (soups, smoothies, eggs) but we also delved into the gluten free flour world and had the following:
Tuna salad with brown rice penne – It’s just tuna fish mixed with a apple cider vinegar mayo, celery, dijon mustard, hard boiled egg and salt and pepper to taste. We would mix it in with brown rice penne or if we had gluten free bread make sandwiches.
Quesadillas with organic chicken and cheese and black beans on gluten free tortillas. You could also leave the chicken out and it’s still great.
Peanut butter and Jelly on coconut bread
Peanut butter and jelly on rice cakes with raw veggies on the side. I know rice cakes are not whole foods so, this might not seem appetizing. But they were organic and some days I was desperate! 🙂
Spanish rice
Green beans and brown rice
Gluten free banana pancakes
Almond flour biscuits with fruit and raw veggies or yogurt
Almond flour pancakes
Blueberry muffins using sorghum and brown rice flour
Quinoa stuffing
Homemade chicken nuggets breaded with almond flour and cooked in coconut oil or grapeseed oil with fruit and raw veggies on the side.
I don’t know if any of those options seem interesting to you but, hope it was helpful. 🙂 And let me know if you would like any recipes. 🙂
Those are great ideas, thanks for sharing them! Since we do not have to be gluten-free, I don’t really want to buy and start baking with alternative flours. These were just my ideas using things I already had in my pantry. I would love to have your recipe for Spanish rice!
LOL! Yes, I don’t blame you for not wanting to go into the gluten-free flour world. It can be a pain! 🙂 But you have covered all of the options we did without using gluten-free flours so, I only added the gluten free just in case. 🙂 I will send you the Spanish rice recipe. Keep up the great and very helpful posts!
Thank you :)!
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