Lose weight by eating gluten free.  Really?  Yes, maybe is my answer.

You see, gluten free really can make you lose weight simply by forcing you to eat healthier.  Even if you don’t have a gluten intolerance, all of the bread and pasta out there is not needed in our daily lives at all!  It is simply empty calories for the most part.

The other night I had to make a dish for my son’s Annapolis High School soccer party at his coaches house.   As the replies came through as to what everyone was bringing, I was (unfortunately) not surprised at what I saw – potato salad, pasta salad, mac and cheese, potato cheese casserole, very sweet baked beans, tons of desserts and finally a lovely fruit salad (thank goodness)!

I took a green salad with spring mix, turnip greens, black beans, chickpeas, nuts, seeds, red pepper, corn salsa and an olive oil balsamic dressing.  Can you believe that there was some salad left over!  I finished it when I got home.

My friend and I were talking about gluten free and she said “I don’t know how to do that”.  I looked at my plate and said “this is how”.  I had (mostly) green salad, fruit salad, a tiny bit of potato salad (it was home made and really good), carrot salad and a plain hamburger (protein is a must and there was no chicken, which I prefer).  I saved calories (about 250) and my blood sugar by leaving off the roll and not indulging in the pasta.

As you can see gluten free can also be white free – no bread, no pasta and no sugar.  Now don’t get me wrong, gluten is still #1 on my list for an intolerant food.  I always get a headache after I eat gluten.  So pay attention to your body and go gluten free if you simply want to drop a few calories in your day.  You’ll be surprised at how easy it really is and you may learn that you feel a ton better too!