Authors: Carrie S. Forbes
Per Serving: Calories: 352 | Fat: 25 g | Protein: 29 g | Sodium: 1,130.5 mg | Fiber: 0.5 g | Carbohydrates: 3 g | Sugar: 1.5 g | GI: Very low
Take a break from oatmeal and try this fruity quinoa instead!
INGREDIENTS | SERVES 4
1 cup quinoa
2 cups water
1
⁄
2
cup dried mixed berries
1 pear, thinly sliced and peeled if desired
1
⁄
2
cup dark brown sugar
1
⁄
2
teaspoon ground ginger
1
⁄
4
teaspoon cinnamon
1
⁄
8
teaspoon cloves
1
⁄
8
teaspoon nutmeg
Pronounced “keen-wah,” quinoa is grown as a grain, although it’s actually a seed. It’s become very popular in recent years, being touted as a health food. The grain itself has been used for thousands of years in South America. It’s a perfect addition to the gluten-free diet because of its high nutritional content.
Place all the ingredients into a 4-quart slow cooker. Stir. Cook for 2
1
⁄
2
hours on high, or around 4 hours on low, or until the quinoa has absorbed most of the liquid and is light and fluffy.
Per Serving: Calories: 297 | Fat: 3 g | Protein: 6.5 g | Sodium: 14 mg | Fiber: 5 g | Carbohydrates: 64 g | Sugar: 32.5 g | GI: Low
A regional dish from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, this simple baked oatmeal is sweet and hearty. Serve it cut in squares and drizzled with maple syrup for breakfast, or for a unique dessert, serve it warm with ice cream.
INGREDIENTS | SERVES 6
3 cups gluten-free rolled oats
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs, gently whisked
1
⁄
4
cup butter, melted
3
⁄
4
cup brown sugar
1
1
⁄
2
cups milk
As is, this simple oatmeal cake tastes like warm salty butter and brown sugar, yet you can make endless flavor variations with this dish. By adding any combination of raisins, chocolate chips, sliced almonds, pecans, chopped walnuts, diced apples, dried cherries, dried cranberries, several tablespoons of cocoa, vanilla, cinnamon, or freshly grated nutmeg, you can create your unique favorite adaptation.
Per Serving: Calories: 387 | Fat: 14 g | Protein: 9.5 g | Sodium: 616 mg | Fiber: 4 g | Carbohydrates: 58 g | Sugar: 30.5 g | GI: Low
This breakfast will keep the kids fueled for hours! It has the perfect combination of slow-release starch and get ’em going fruit. The nuts will stave off hunger, too!
INGREDIENTS | SERVES 4
1 fresh peach, chopped
1
⁄
2
cup raisins
1 tart apple, cored and chopped
1
⁄
2
cup water
3 tablespoons honey
1
⁄
2
teaspoon salt
2 cups Irish or Scottish oatmeal
1
1
⁄
2
cups nonfat milk
1
1
⁄
2
cups low-fat yogurt
1 cup toasted walnuts
Avoid instant oatmeal for breakfast, for cookies, and for making snacks. The oats in instant oatmeal are cut very thinly, and particle size is important. The larger the particles, the lower the food is on the GI.
Per Serving: Calories: 600 | Fat: 36 g | Protein: 32 g | Sodium: 203 mg | Fiber: 3 g | Carbohydrates: 61 g | Sugar: 10 g | GI: Moderate
This fast and easy breakfast is packed full of calcium, fiber, and antioxidants.
INGREDIENTS | SERVES 1
1 cup nonfat yogurt
1
⁄
4
cup blueberries
1
⁄
4
cup sliced strawberries
4 tablespoons sliced almonds
Try using Greek yogurt, preferably nonfat or low-fat, for a thicker, richer, and slightly tart parfait. Greek yogurt tastes great with sweet berries. For a simple snack, try adding a teaspoon of honey to plain Greek yogurt. What a treat!
Per Serving: Calories: 303 | Fat: 12 g | Protein: 19 g | Protein: 8 g | Sodium: 60 mg | Carbohydrates: 32 g | Sugar: 3 g | GI: Moderate
Blueberries contain one of the highest antioxidant levels found in fruit. This smoothie is refreshing as it fights free-radical oxidation in your body.
INGREDIENTS | SERVES 1
1 cup frozen blueberries
1
⁄
2
avocado
1 cup vanilla-flavored almond milk
1
⁄
8
teaspoon ground nutmeg
4–6 ice cubes
Combine all the ingredients in a blender and purée until smooth.
Per Serving: Calories: 329 | Fat: 17 g | Protein: 13 g | Sodium: 141 mg | Fiber: 11 g | Carbohydrate: 39 g | Sugar: 5 g | GI: Low
This chocolate-and-coconut smoothie is a real treat when you are craving something sweet.
INGREDIENTS | SERVES 2
1 cup coconut milk
1
⁄
2
cup cacao nibs
3 tablespoons raw honey
1
⁄
2
teaspoon cinnamon
1
⁄
4
teaspoon nutmeg
4–6 ice cubes
Combine all the ingredients in a blender and purée until smooth.
Per Serving: Calories: 395 | Fat: 28 g | Protein: 2.5 g | Sodium: 16 mg | Fiber: 0 g | Carbohydrates: 39.5 g | Sugar: 7.5 g | GI: Moderate
The mixture of raspberries and peaches is the basis of classic peach Melba—a wonderful dessert. This smoothie is rich and always sure to please.
INGREDIENTS | SERVES 2
2 fresh peaches, peeled, pitted, and quartered
1 cup fresh raspberries
1
1
⁄
2
cups plain low-fat yogurt
2 tablespoons sugar or honey
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
6 ice cubes
2 raw, pasteurized eggs
An easy, quick breakfast, smoothies are a tasty and nutrient-rich morning pick-me-up. They also make a healthful and satisfying lunch for active and busy lifestyles. For extra protein, add a scoop of plain protein powder to the recipe.
Place all the ingredients in the blender and purée until well blended.
Per Serving: Calories: 315 | Fat: 9 g | Protein: 88 g | Sodium: 45 mg | Fiber: 4 g | Carbohydrates: 34 g | Sugar: 4 g | GI: Low
Rosemary Basil Crackers or Crispy Pizza Crust
Almond Flour Savory Crescent Rolls
These easy oatmeal bars filled with fresh fruit can also be served as a less-sugary dessert.
INGREDIENTS | SERVES 9
3
⁄
4
cup brown rice flour
3
⁄
4
cup arrowroot starch
1 teaspoon baking powder
1
⁄
4
teaspoon salt
1
1
⁄
2
cups gluten-free rolled oats
1
⁄
3
cup brown sugar, packed
3
⁄
4
cup Spectrum Organic Shortening or butter
2–3 small apples, any variety, seeds removed, coarsely chopped or grated
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1
⁄
2
teaspoon ground nutmeg
1
⁄
4
cup sugar
1 tablespoon honey
If you’re not a fan of apples, use peaches, pears, blueberries, or other berries in place of the apples. You could also substitute 1 cup of pumpkin purée, butternut squash purée, or even cooked and mashed sweet potatoes as well.
Per Serving: Calories: 356 | Fat: 16 g | Protein: 3 g | Sodium: 125 mg | Fiber: 3 g | Carbohydrates: 50 g | Sugar: 20 g | GI: Low
These fluffy, light biscuits are perfect when topped with jam and a slice of cheese. Or dip them in your favorite soup!
INGREDIENTS | SERVES 9
1 cup brown rice flour, plus more for rolling out the dough
1
⁄
2
cup arrowroot starch
4 teaspoons xanthan gum
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1
⁄
2
teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon sugar
1
⁄
2
cup cold butter or Spectrum Organic Shortening, cut into chunks
2 large eggs
1
⁄
3
cup buttermilk
Milk (optional)
Coarse salt (optional)
To make these biscuits savory, add
1
⁄
2
teaspoon of garlic powder or Italian seasoning (or even both) to the dry ingredients. Or try a tablespoon of chopped fresh chives.