The Local Nutrition Blog

Gluten-free comfort

localnutrition — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 21:41:05 +0000

I am nutrition conscious, so it embarrasses me a bit to admit how much I truly enjoy Kraft box macaroni and cheese.

Perhaps it has something to do with the way it reminds me of being a kid. Something tells me that if the first time I encountered that fluorescent orange sauce had been when i was an adult, I would have been less than impressed.

Regardless of the reason for my fascination, I’m pleased to have found a gluten free substitue. There are several, but my favorite has to be Annie’s Gluten-free rice pasta and cheddar.

Nutritious? No. Satisfying? Yes.

The bad, the worse, and the inedible

localnutrition — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 12:54:56 +0000

The gluten-free product market has come a long way. Unfortunately, it seems no one has gotten the hang of an acceptable hamburger or hot dog bun.

I can quite figure this out. They’ve done wonders with sandwich bread, pizza dough, and pastas…but no buns. I’ve lived amidst the mecca of natural/organic food stuffs that makes up a majority of Boulder real estate. However, I have yet to come across a successful gluten-free bun attempt.

I’ve tried Whole Foods’ bakehouse burger buns. These are extremely dense, have great flavor, and would be great for biscuits and gravy…but not for burgers.

The hot dog and burger buns by Ener-g Foods are another bust: Dry and spongy.

If any one has come across an acceptable gluten-free bun substitute, please let me know, I do miss my BBQs.

Gluten-free Green Chile

localnutrition — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 13:16:12 +0000

Green Chile is one of those items that you’d never really think of as containing flour. That’s what makes gluten-free living so much fun, its a new surprise every day (soy sauce…soup…seriously?)

I’ve had a tough time locating a good gluten-free green chile, but I did it: 505 Southwesternmakes an array of gluten free goodies, my favorite being the mild green chile.

Priding themselves on all natural, preservative free ingredients, you would expect to find this company’s roots amidst the extensive natural/organic Boulder real estate scene. The company actually cropped up in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Their green chile is thick and flavorful, while still boasting a low-sodium and carb content, and high vitamin profile.

So much more to say

localnutrition — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 20:51:48 +0000

Looking back, I really should elaborate more on this fabulous gluten-free pizza.

Beau Jo’s has an entire page of their menu dedicated to gluten-free dining. They serve each pizza in its own contaminate-free pizza pan.

My favorite is Chip’s Pie: Chicken, olives, artichokes, roma tomatoes, and feta…ooh lala.

Beau Jo’s Pizza

localnutrition — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 16:21:48 +0000

Gluten-free pizza…GOOD gluten-free pizza. I’m not talking about the kind you buy frozen at the store, or the make-it-yourself variety, that are never really the same.

I’m talking, real sit in a restaurant and order a pizza, just like everyone else, gluten-free pizza. I’m talking about Beau Jo’s Colorado Style Pizza.

I’m am sorry to report that this is only available to those fortunate souls living in Colorado. While living in Boulder, Beau Jo’s became my absolute favorite piece of Boulder real estate. Luckily, I was only a short 5 minute trip away so I could easily walk over and gorge myself on a regular basis.

Pure bliss.

Mary’s gone awry

localnutrition — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 21:36:55 +0000

I just received a free sample of Mary’s Gone Crackers Sticks and Twigs from work. I’m rather unimpressed. They are extremely tough (tougher than the tooth-damaging seed crackers, which are worth the work). Between their small size and gravel-like texture, the seemingly interesting flavor options (chipotle tomato, curry, sea salt) don’t really come through.

Sorry Mary.

It’s like…bread.

localnutrition — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 16:06:39 +0000

That is what my mom said when I first had her try my latest discovery: Udi’s Gluten-free sandwich bread. As most of you gluten-free friends probably know, Gluten-free bread is typically just awful.

Dry, brittle, dense as a brick is what Udi’s bread is not. It’s like…bread. It comes in white, and multigrain, and remains shelf-stable for several days. I can’t describe the happiness it has bestowed upon my life when I can take a hike up to the Boulder Flatirons, gaze out over the peaks of the Boulder real estate, and enjoy a good ol turkey sandwich. You don’t even need a gallon of water, or a tub of mayo to choke it down. It’s like…bread.

Nut-Thins…not so much.

localnutrition — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 04:31:49 +0000

After a product rave, I should add a product rant. A gluten-free cracker that I have come across that I have been less than impressed with is Blue Diamond’s Nut-Thins.

While they come in a variety of interesting flavors, such as smokehouse, cheddar cheese, and ranch, I am a bit of a health nut, and these crackers leave something to be desired.

If you are typically into more processed snacks, such as Cheetos and Doritos, these might be right up your alley.

They do have about 3 grams of protein per 16 cracker serving, but have less than 1 gram of fiber, and lack a hearty satisfaction.

To me they taste processed and artificial. But that is just my two cents.

Finding Gluten-free

localnutrition — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 00:20:51 +0000

I should add that nearly all of the products discussed here are available at most health food stores such as vitamin cottage, Trader Joe’s and my favorite, Whole Foods. I’m happy to report that the Boulder Whole Foods location, much like Boulder real estate market as a whole, is expanding. I very much look forward to their increased offerings.

Be weary that Whole Foods’ prices can sometimes run a bit higher that Vitamin Cottage or other naturally-geared stores. But they are almost always cheaper than your general grocers, such as King Soopers, Kroger, Safeway etc.

In a pinch, most gluten-free goodies are available online as well, and bargains are sometimes found going that route.

Mary’s Addendum

localnutrition — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 15:49:47 +0000

After commenting about Mary’s Gone Crackers, I realized I should also post a word of caution.

These are HEARTY crackers. If you are in any way dentally compromised, I would advise steering clear. I actually broke a tooth last summer eating these very crackers. I don’t actually blame the crackers themselves, I do believe the tooth was weak in the first place, but it was the cracker that broke the horses back.

They contain whole grain brown rice, whole grain quinoa, flax, sesame seeds, and a smattering of other goodies. With 3 grams of fiber per 13 cracker serving size, they are worth the masticatory battle. You probably even burn a few calories chewing them up.

Enjoy, with caution.

Off to the dentist today to get the filling on that broken tooth looked at….seriously.