As you finish that slice of pizza, your stomach tightens. You begin to feel an uncomfortable sensation sweep throughout your gut. A rising wave of nausea makes your head spin as you start to deal with violent cramps.
More than 20-million Americans, around 7-percent of the U.S. population, suffer from some form of gluten intolerance. For these unfortunate individuals, their condition means that any wheat products are off the menu.
Wheat, barley, and rye are examples of grains that contain gluten proteins. For those people with gluten sensitivity disorders like celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity, the majority of grains are a nutritional nightmare.
It’s essential for people living with this digestive disorder to avoid gluten. The inflammation created by the protein alters the structure of the intestinal wall. This inflammatory response leads to a condition known as “leaky gut,” where toxins pass through the wall of the intestines into the blood.
While gluten foods are off the menu, there’s still plenty of carb sources for you to enjoy. Here are 14-foods that contain no gluten.
1. Quinoa
This grain crop has edible seeds. The Inca Empire considered quinoa as the “mother of all grains,” and thought of the seed as sacred. This South American staple is now available throughout the world in health food stores where it’s thought of as a “superfood.”
There are three different types of quinoa: red, white, and black. Each cup of the grain contains 8-grams of plant-based protein, 5-grams of fiber, and the superfood comes packed with an assortment of minerals such as zinc, magnesium, folate, and zinc. Quinoa contains more than 10-percent of the daily recommended allowance for vitamins B6, B2, and B1.
Each cup of quinoa holds 222-calories, with 4-grams of fat, with a healthy serving of Omega-3 fatty acids, essential for heart and brain health. The grain is typically grown using organic farming methods and is a non-GMO food.
Quinoa gains its superfood status from the plant polyphenol antioxidant compounds quercetin and kaempferol. These micronutrients have antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, and antidepressant effects.