3 Alternatives to Wheat flour

If you found your way here, you either already follow a gluten free diet, have been advised to go gluten-free or are exploring the benefits of reducing gluten, either way Welcome 😊 

Whilst ancient wheat consumed in small quantities may be perfectly suitable for most people today’s overconsumption of hybridized wheat has led many to suffer from painful digestive disorders. The food industry is heavily focussed on Wheat as its main grain, but the world offers us many more nutritious grains and grain alternatives which are gentler on the body. 

Here are 3 wheat and grain alternatives that I use for my family.

1. Cassava Flour

Cassava is a key source of carbohydrate nutrition for people living in Africa, it is a plant that produces a starchy root crop called yuca or yuca root, so it is not actually a grain.

Cassava has a texture that is easy to use, a taste that is not overpowering and is versatile for use in recipes for bread, pancakes, dumplings, flatbreads etc.

Cassava is high in Vitamin C which is an antioxidant and essential for immunity and is a good source of energy.

Cassava is not new for North Americans, the more popular starch, Tapioca is extracted from the Cassava plant and used extensively in many recipes including the Breadables flours.

2. Buckwheat

Despite its name, Buckwheat does not contain any wheat or gluten. It is a nutrient-packed, ‘seed’ that is commonly consumed in Asia.

Buckwheat is available as Flour, Groats which are raw, unprocessed seeds known as Kasha which is toasted buckwheat groats or the more popular Soba noodles (Soba is the Japanese name for Buckwheat).

Buckwheat may help lower cholesterol, improve hypertension, and improve constipation (when included with other dietary changes). Buckwheat is especially beneficial for vegans and vegetarians as it provides Lysine and Arginine- 2 essential amino acids that the body cannot make on its own and are usually obtained from animal products.

Buckwheat is also a good source of the minerals Manganese and Magnesium and has an earthy, nutty flavour. It is considered a nutritious and healthy ‘comfort food’ grain.

When you consume the Breadables Gluten-Free Wholemeal Flour your body enjoys the benefits of Buckwheat!

3.  Almond Flour

This is a delicious, versatile, and nutrient dense low carbohydrate alternative to wheat flour and a pantry staple in our house 😊

Almond flour (made from blanched, peeled almonds) or Almond Meal (made from raw, unpeeled almonds) are both easy to use and are utilized in sweet and savory recipes.

Almond flour is a good source of protein, carbohydrates and fat and an excellent source of Vitamin E which we need for our skin, heart, and the production of certain hormones.

Almond flour can be used for baking, as a coating for foods like chicken strips, halwas, breads, biscuits and more.

References: 

The Encyclopedia of healing foods- Michael Murray

Dr. Josh Axe-www.draxe.com