WIAW: Grain-Free Recipes & Snacks
I’ve been getting into some weird stuff lately.
Don’t worry, it doesn’t involve whips and chains, or anything sold on the black market. It’s strictly food related. I’ll further clarify: food to be eaten.
It all started two weeks ago when I decided to try out a very loosely-based, grain-free diet and was looking for grain-free recipes to replace my favorite snacks.
I know what you’re thinking: “Whitney, you totally bashed Jay-Z and Beyonce for doing a short-term diet for no real purpose. You’re a huge hypocrite.”
Before you go throwing around labels, let me explain.
I have a lot of stomach problems. A LOT. I won’t bore you with the details, suffice to say that there’s a laundry list of annoying and sometimes painful BS (no pun intended) that I have to deal with. So I’m constantly switching things up to see what works.
Last year, I tried a gluten-free diet for two weeks, but succumbed after seeing no results… and a very tantalizing encounter in San Francisco with a whole wheat sandwich.
This time, I’m trying to scale back on all the grains in my diet to see if that helps. Since I don’t think I have a serious gluten/grain allergy, I’m not completely eliminating grains (Mama’s gotta have her brown-rice sushi rolls), just avoiding them when I can.
Which brings me to the weird stuff I’ve been eating. Eliminating grains is hard!
Not only do I just love having my daily carb-fests, it’s hard to come up with a variety of things to eat when you wipe out a huge category of food from your diet. I also don’t want to just sub out certain foods with their super-processed, grain-free, store-bought versions.
Parting with my Ezekiel Sprouted Grain English Muffin at breakfast was the hardest part. I literally cannot start my day without a chewy, bread-like substance.
But, as if the heavens parted and God said, “Let there be a tasty breakfast for Whitney,” I found the most amazing answer to my problem via The Big Man’s World.
An incredibly tasty, chewy, real food, easy-to-make Grain Free English Muffin!
I modified Arman’s version slightly to account for ingredients I already had on hand, and to add in a little healthy fat/nutrients from egg yolk.
Microwaveable Grain-Free English Muffin
Ingredients:
1 Egg
2 T. PB2
(or Peanut/Almond Flour)
2 T. Butternut Squash, canned or cooked/pureed (can also use Pumpkin)
1/2 tsp. Baking Powder
Dash of Pumpkin Pie Spice
Stevia (optional)
Directions:
Mix everything together. Pour into a mug coated with cooking spray. Microwave for 2 1/2 minutes. Slice in half, pop in the toaster. Eat!
Total Calories: 120
This muffin has seriously been my saving grace in the past two weeks and the perfect vehicle for my outrageous nut butter addiction.
I cannot thank Arman enough!
Another random food on my radar recently: baked sweet potatoes topped with almond butter. I know it sounds strange, but it’s really good.
The potato quenches the carb-hungry monster in my belly and it’s sweetness blends perfectly with, you guessed it, more almond butter. It’s an incredibly filling snack for around 200 calories.
Simply microwave “bake” a sweet potato and slather with your favorite topping. Coconut oil tastes amazing on it too.
Aside from this delicious treat, things have also been a little difficult in the snack category. A bad habit of mine is eating crackers, toast, or whole-wheat tortillas with peanut butter as a snack. All “healthy” options, but they added up to way more grains than my belly wants to process (I speculate).
One solution for that has been stocking up on a lot of different kinds of fruits and veggies to munch on. I don’t like hummus though, so the veggies can get boring, and overloading on fruit is not a great option either.
I needed more protein, and something that could be a quick, grab-and-go snack. While shopping at Home Goods, I found the answer.
A Microwave Egg Boiler.
In 5 minutes I can be popping hard-boiled eggs like Trinidad James pops Molly. Woo.
This thing has been so handy considering I’ve been slacking a bit on meal prep lately. It’s a really great device to keep in your desk drawer at work for those mid-day hangry strikes, and it only costs $3. Not to mention how darn cute it is!
Last but certainly not least is my new found obsession, Cauliflower Rice.
Simply chop a bunch of cauliflower florets in a food processor and steam for about 5 minutes on the stove. You get more of a couscous consistency than actual rice, but it’s awesome none the less.
I added in salt, pepper, and some garlic powder to season and topping a bowl of it with a fried egg. So good.
This will certainly not do for replacing my brown-rice sushi rolls, but it’s covering some other categories for now.
So that pretty much sums up my “loosely-based” grain-free lifestyle of late. I’m feeling a tad bit better than usual, so I’m thinking it may be working. Then again, it could be the placebo effect. Only time will tell.
*This post is linked to What I Ate Wednesday, and Real Food Wednesday.
Ashley says:
To dress up you veggies (since you don’t like hummus) try sunshine sauce , it’s yummy on carrots, celery, jicama…..
http://www.theclothesmakethegirl.com/2009/07/21/sunshine-sauce/
Whitney English says:
Thanks for sharing! This looks amazing. I am totally going out and buying Sunbutter asap!
Erin @ The Almond Eater says:
Oh wow no grains would be a challenge for me for sure! A sweet potato topped with AB? I def want to give that a try! Hopefully the no grains helps your stomach–stuff like that pretty much has to be trial and error.
Whitney English says:
Yeah, it’s a huge challenge for me too. I mean who doesn’t love bread?! I’m pretty much obsessed with it. If it helps me though, then it will be worth it!
Chelsea @ lil miss fitness freak says:
You both need to try cashew butter on those sweet taters with some cinnamon! Soooo good :-)
Pam S @ Nuts for Nutrition says:
I’m liking your loose approach! I’ve been trying to cut out processed grains recently too. The sweet potatoes with almond butter and grain-free english muffins sound really good!
I’ve been upping my egg intake to try and get more protein in. my boss taught me a way to microwave an egg for a minute, and if you poke a tiny hole in the yolk before you cook it, for some reason it cooks the egg white, but not the yolk all the way through and can still have some runny yolk!
Whitney English says:
Thanks Pam!
That’s awesome that you can just microwave the egg without the machine. WishI I’d known that prior to purchasing this little egg boiler…although, he is pretty cute ;)
Jana @ Happy Wife Healthy Life says:
Have you been using your new camera? Pictures are looking good! ;) I have a lot of stomach problems too and still can’t pinpoint the culprit. I am interested to hear your thoughts on going grain-free!
Whitney English says:
I have, thanks! I actually have a lesson this Sunday, so hopefully they’ll get even better. Although the ones in this post were actually taken with my iPhone.
I’ll keep you posted on the grain-free progress!
Rachel @ Betty LIVIN says:
There is a myth that eating gluten free helps you lose weight, but it really doesn’t. I cut out gluten when my doctor identified an intolerance and was excited to lose a ton of weight and I didn’t. After 8 months of eating gluten and dairy free I did take off 10 pounds but it was a combination of cutting the two groups and stepping up my workouts.
Whitney English says:
I’ve heard that. I thought it would be a nice added bonus before beach season if it worked, but the main goal is to improve my stomach issues.
Interesting to note that it took the elimination of both grains and dairy to help with your weight loss efforts though! Were you allergic to dairy as well?
She Rocks Fitness says:
Totally going to try this, because I have weirdly been craving pumpkin lately. Thanks for sharing this and I am always a big fan of sweet potatoes and nut butter. You can never go wrong with that combo!
Whitney English says:
No you can’t! Hope you enjoy :)
Kristina @ Damn Ten Pounds says:
I think your loose approach is the right way to go. I understand the need to eliminate potential offenders, but diets get old really quick if you’re too rigid. You’ve sound some good substitutes in the meantime. Hope it’s working!
PS -Toothless is grain free right now (yes, I have THAT dog). He’s been eating sweet potatoes like no ones business.
Whitney English says:
Haha, Toothless and I should probably get together for a meal. You could come too if you’re down for a sweet potato binge fest :)
GiGi Eats Celebrities says:
OO OO here is the link to the other grainless english muffins, WE MUST MAKE THESE TOGETHER cuz I def need to try!! http://www.pinterest.com/pin/100627372897957049/
FLIPPING AMAZING!
I have to say though, I think a certain someone might be a little bummed your not into the whips and chains, LMFAO!
Whitney English says:
Nice! Thanks for sharing. I’m totally trying these out tomorrow morning. You can never have enough grain-free english muffin recipes…that’s what my grandma always says :)
And I never said I wasn’t into whips and chains…I just said, not lately (wink, wink).
Holly @ EatGreatBEGreat says:
This English muffins sounds to good to be true! Although, I don’t have a specific gluten free allergy, I have been trying to limit my grains too, so this will be perfect. Pinned and planned to try asap!
Whitney English says:
That’s what I thought too when I first read about it on Arman’s blog. But then I tried it and I was shocked and amazed :) Hope you enjoy!
Ashley @ Brocblog says:
These ideas are coming at me at the perfect time! Im about to start a 30 day paleo challenge and Im going to miss bread so much.
Whitney English says:
Oh wow! Good luck! Can’t wait to see what you’ll be grubbing on during that.
Andrea @ pencils and pancakes says:
Wow I want to try that muffin!!! And the sweet tater looks amazing. I love that combo.
Whitney English says:
Thanks Andrea!
Jody - Fit at 56 says:
Great shares!!! I think I would die if I could not eat grains & my love of bread!!! ;)
Whitney English says:
Yeah, it’s not very fun. I miss my tortillas!
Serena Marie RD says:
I eat grain free most of the time… and I really don’t even notice! I snack mostly on vegetables, green smoothies, and leftovers. I am not a fan of chickpea hummus, but I love edamame hummus! Plus its much higher in protein.
My favorite snacks include low fat cheese, cottage cheese with fruit, coconut milk smoothies or with some undutched cocoa & stevia, homemade cereal (made with nuts, not grains), and veggies, veggies, veggies!
Sweet potatoes with almond butter are divineee. Try mashing in some vanilla extract and cinnamon too :) Def going to give that English muffin recipe a try! Thanks!
Whitney English says:
Homemade cereal? I’m intrigued. Do you have any recipes to share?!
Giselle@myhealthyhappyhome says:
I went grain-free, dairy-free and legume-free a little over a year ago and have never felt better! Sweet potatoes and almond butter is one of my favorites! I like to dice and roast mine with apples and cinnamon, then top with nut butter for a post workout snack. Amazing!
Whitney English says:
Yum! That sounds amazing!
Jess @ Keeping It Real Food says:
I love sweet potatoes as a snack—with goat cheese is my favorite way, but I also have them with tahini or peanut butter sometimes. Also good with a poached egg on top. Just added them to the shopping list.
I stopped eating tree nuts a few years ago after an allergist clarified that they were the main reason I was having trouble breathing. Definitely don’t miss that!
Whitney English says:
Oooo love the goat cheese idea! Def trying that next :)
Arman @ thebigmansworld says:
Glad you liked the recipe- I often use a whole egg too which makes it even more tasty! Great minds!
Whitney English says:
You’re the man ;)
Louise says:
I’d never have thought to top a sweet potato with a nut butter! I might be brave and give this a try ;)
I’ve cut back on dairy in the past, as I get some stomach troubles too. It didn’t help any though, so it’s back in my diet!
Whitney English says:
Be brave!!! You won’t regret it :)
Did you ever discover the cause since it wasn’t dairy?
GiselleR says:
Both of these look pretty awesome…I’m gonna try the English muffin with sweet potato instead of squash or pumpkin for breakfast this morning!
Also, have you seen any improvements since you started avoiding grains? I’ve been thinking of doing something similar cuz my stomach hasn’t been happy for a while :(
Whitney English says:
Ohh let me know how the sweet potato turns out!
I haven’t seen much of an improvement yet but I’m wondering if that’s because of my “loose approach.” I have some other dietary changes I might try next. I’ll keep you posted!
Madison @ Eating For Balance says:
For the past year or so almost all the recipes on my blog are grain-free! Homemade breads are so fun! Especially english muffins :)
I can definitely relate to the stomach problems and I hope you are feeling a lot better with the grain-free lifestyle!
Whitney English says:
Thanks Madison! I can’t wait to check out some of your grain-free bread :)
Kristy @ Southern In Law says:
Ooooh I so need to try your english muffin recipe! It looks so so good.
I had to change my diet dramatically, but only because I was really really sick. I didn’t know that I was a coeliac and I also had a number of food allergies and intolerances I wasn’t aware of so I had to basically use trial and error to figure out what I could/couldn’t eat. Now I just know what my body can handle and what it can’t and I feel a million times better!
Whitney English says:
That’s so great that you figured it out! I know what a pain the whole trial and error process is. Hoping I get to the bottom of my issues soon too.
Shivani says:
Sweet potatoes and Almond Butter? Two of my favorite things! Seems like a fun combination, I will definitely try it :D Thanks for sharing, it’s not weird at all! xox
Whitney English says:
Mine too! Which is why one day I finally just mashed them together, haha! Enjoy :)
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table says:
So funny story… as I was writing my WIAW post I realized I’d unintentionally eaten gluten green. Not grain free, but still… ;) My cauliflower crust is grain-free!
I love sweet potato with nut butters. I’ve never microwaved one. I always bake them in foil. Takes longer, but I make a ton at the beginning of the week.
Whitney English says:
I should make mine in bulk too so I don’t have to rely on the microwave so much :/ If they ever find out that microwaves do cause cancer, I’m up a creek!
anne says:
I love this post! Love the cauli rice idea, and the english muffin I’m definitely trying. I’m the same, I need something carby in the morning! I’ve been doing the protein pancakes lately, and sometimes quinoa or brown rice porridge with almond milk. My favorite grain-free snacks include hard goat cheese & frozen grapes,veggies & zucchini hummus (sub in zucch for garbanzo) and I always keep edaname or organic sugar snap peas in my fridge so I can snack on it if I need a little boost.
Sam Brown says:
Baked sweet potato with almond butter actually sounds amazing! So many things to try! I’ve been playing around with reducing the grains in my diet just to see what effect it would have and it didn’t realise just how many things have grains in them!
Thanks for all of your suggestions!
Sam xx
http://www.smart-twenties.com – how to make the most of your twenties
Whitney English says:
You’re welcome! It seems like everything tasty has grains, huh! Thank goodness for some of these alternatives, namely sweet potatoes!
Brittany @ Barr & Table says:
That english muffin looks so tasty! I’ll definitely have to give it a try. And of course anything with nut butter ;)
Isabella says:
Ever since I was born I’ve had intestinal issues (not Celiac). Like you, I won’t go into details. I’ve gone to doctors who told me just to eat more veggies, drink more water and take pills. None of this helped. I forced myself to drink psyllium husk fiber, which helped, but I hated that stuff.
After reading the Wheat Belly Book by Dr. William Davis, I decided to go low-carb, paleo, sort of. I don’t eat any grains, beans, starchy vegetable, or tapioca. I limit my fruit and sugar. I still eat dairy products as long as they’re raw. This has actually helped me with my lactose intolerance! Also my acne is gone, dark circles have disappear (as long as I get my eight hours of sleep), I’m not tired by noon (tons of energy), and I’m not constantly eating all the time. I’ve lost weight and it’s easier to maintain than before.
No, I haven’t got to doctor to make sure this new diet is ok for me. I don’t need to pay a someone to tell something I already know: stop doing whatever is hurting you.
When I’m at any social function that serves food, I refuse most of the food because it will make sick for a least two weeks.
Whitney English says:
Wow, that’s amazing! I really want to read that book.
I wish I could say I felt the same change when I tried staying away from grains. How long did it take you to notice a difference after you changed your diet?
Adrienne says:
Muffins look sooo good! Can they be made in the oven? I don’t use a microwave. Thanks!
Whitney English says:
I haven’t tried but I’m sure you could! Maybe try 350 for 15 minutes and see how it goes?
Holly says:
I’ve recently been taking a coconut flour pancake recipe but instead of making pancakes, I’ve just microwaved the mixture as a mug cake. It’s 2 T coconut flour, 2-3 packets of stevia (I use Truvia), 1/4 tsp baking powder, a pinch of salt, a dash of cinnamon, 1 egg white, 1/4 tsp vanilla, and 1/4 cup almond milk. First mix the dry ingredients and add the wet, and it’s fluffy cake-like, fiber-y delicious snack/breakfast/anything for about 85 calories.
Holly says:
Oh and microwave about 3.5 minutes
Whitney English says:
Wow that sounds awesome! I’m definitely going to try it! Thank you for sharing :)
Emily says:
Thank you for your edited version of the English muffin. I used it tonight twice! My dad really loved it. :)
Whitney English says:
That’s great! So glad you guys enjoyed it.