Bloated on Gluten? The Healthy Alternatives to Bread You Haven’t Tried

If you’re struggling with bloating and nothing seems to be doing the trick, gluten may be the problem. Before you let your jaw drop too far to the ground and think, “I can never go without bread!” rest assured that there are several healthy alternatives to bread.

You won’t even miss it very much, especially when you see how much better you feel when you’re gluten-free.

Why Gluten May Be the Culprit Behind Your Bloated Belly

Going gluten-free seems like the trendy thing to do lately where diet is concerned, but there’s a good reason for it. You don’t have to suffer from celiac disease to be affected by gluten, and you could have a sensitivity or intolerance without even realizing it.

An estimated 18 million people in the United States suffer from gluten sensitivity, but since there’s no good test you can have to find out if you’re one of them, the best thing to try is an elimination diet.

Wheat (because of the gluten that comes with it), is one of the most highly allergenic foods in the United States, most likely due to overexposure over years of eating those “healthy” wheat products and gluten-containing processed foods (seriously, gluten’s in so many of those!).

It’s also been linked to bloat-causing irritable bowel syndrome as well as autism, and schizophrenia, and other diseases. Other side effects that stem from gluten sensitivity include fatigue, foggy mind, and headaches. Allergies and IBS can both cause bloating.

Keep in mind, gluten isn’t restricted to wheat bread. The protein is also found in rye and barley. To find out more about non-celiac gluten sensitivity, visit Celiac.org.

Healthy Bread Alternatives You’ll Love

When you’re trying to replace bread in your diet, there are two things you’ll have to take into consideration: taste and function.

Romaine Lettuce

Make a wrap with romaine lettuce. It doesn’t have a very strong flavor, so it won’t overpower what’s inside. Stuff it with alkaline grains, more vegetables, or a meat mixture like the one from the Raw Taco Mexican Salad, along with the avocado and other veggies.

Collards

Have you ever had raw collards? A lot of people think they’re only meant to be eaten after they’ve been cooked for a while, but they’re so good raw!

Our recipe for the Raw Taco Gorilla Wraps is a favorite. Collards have a stronger (slightly bitter) flavor than romaine and they’re sturdier, so they may travel better if you’re thinking of lunches to take with you to work.

If you’re putting something like quinoa inside, the heat and moisture will make them even easier to wrap up.

Nori Sheets

Yep, seaweed! Nori’s not just for sushi, and it makes a fantastic wrap option that’s loaded with minerals and won’t make you feel heavy and bloated (which is more than you can say for the average wheat tortilla!).

Cucumbers

If you thinly cut cucumbers lengthwise (using a mandolin helps tremendously, but it’s possible with a knife), you can wrap them around sprouts, julienned vegetables, scallions, and even nut mixtures.

For the nut mixture, we recommend macadamia or pine nuts pulsed with a little sesame oil and sea salt in a food processor.

Spread a sauce (try almond butter, a little ginger, a little maple syrup, and tamari for something simple), onto the cucumber slices before assembling the other veggies and rolling them up.

These may not travel well, so save this recipe for snacks and meals at home or take the components with you separately and then assemble the meal later.

Portobello Mushrooms

These are some of the heartier of the bread replacement options, and they’re so filling. Roast the caps in the oven for a few minutes until they’re lightly browned, then use them as hamburger buns.

Load them up with veggies—tomatoes, lettuce, onions, avocado, whatever you’d like—and enjoy.

Another use for portobello mushrooms is the personal pizza. Roast them in the oven on 375 for a few minutes just as you would for the “burgers” above. Then take them out of the oven, put your sauce and other toppings on, and put them back in the oven for a few more minutes.

Sliced Veggies for Hummus

Hummus is often paired up with crackers or bread, but you can always replace those with sliced cucumbers, peppers, tomatoes, celery…the list goes on.

You may be able to ask for some raw vegetables on the side if you’re dining out with family or friends and they want to share a hummus appetizer.

Cauliflower Pizza Crust

If you’re not a mushroom fan, you can make a pizza crust from cauliflower and an herb mixture. The process is a little more involved, but if you have the time, you can make yourself a delicious gluten-free version of a popular comfort food. Here’s what you need:

• 3 “eggs” whether you use Ener-G egg replacer or mix 3 Tbsp flaxseeds or chia seeds with 9 Tbsp hot water (Let the seeds sit in the water until it forms a gel-like consistency. This should only take a few minutes.)
• A small head of cauliflower
• ¾ cup almond flour (coconut flour will also work)
• ½ tsp dried oregano
• ½ tsp dried basil
• ½ tsp minced garlic
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. First, preheat the oven to 400 degrees and mix up your “eggs.”
2. Cut the florets off of a small head of cauliflower, steam them until they begin to soften, let them cool, and then dry them off to get rid of any excess moisture.
3. Place the cauliflower and all other ingredients in a food processor or blender. Pulse it until the mixture starts to look smooth (it may not be perfect, but it’s okay if it’s a little chunky).
4. Spread the mixture out on a greased baking sheet. Try not to make it too thin or it will be difficult to manage once everything’s cooked and ready to eat. Aim for about ½ to ¾-inch thick.
5. Bake until the “crust” starts to brown, then add toppings and bake for a few more minutes.

You won’t be able to scoop this up and eat it like a regular slice of pizza (you’ll need a fork), but it will be just as tasty!

Wait It Out

There are so many healthy alternatives to bread out there, and each one brings its own interesting twist to a dish.

Some are as simple as using leaves as wraps, while others take a little more prep work and even some oven time.

Going gluten-free for one or two days may not be long enough to notice results, but you may notice a remarkable difference if you can wait it out for a few weeks. As with any detox plan, sometimes it takes a little while to see what a new way of eating is really doing for your body.

You may feel better in a day or two, but stick it out even if you don’t notice any immediate benefits.

In Love and Health,

Kimberly