Gluten-Free Flours

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Many people are starting to find out that they are sensitive to wheat-based products. Wheat contains gluten, which is a protein molecule also found in barley and rye. The protein molecules that are often harmful include gliadin (in wheat), hordein (in barley), and secalin (in rye). There are people who are sensitive to gluten (reaction due to an unknown cause with unknown long-term consequences), allergic to gluten (gluten consumption resulting in an immune response), intolerant to gluten (long-term consequences if gluten is not excluded from the diet), and people with celiac disease (damage to the intestines, nervous system, liver, musculoskeletal system, hormonal system, and circulatory system). When someone with Celiac disease eats gluten-containing products, the small intestinal lining becomes inflamed, flattening the villi (finger-like projections playing a role in nutrient absorption). This reduces the ability to absorb nutrients by reducing the surface area of the small-intestine.
 
Symptoms of gluten intolerance:
  • Skin disorders
  • Gas
  • Diarrhea
  • Constipation
  • Cramps
  • ADD
  • Chronic fatigue
  • Brain fog
 
If you are experience any of these symptoms, it may be wise to eliminate gluten from your diet. This is why I have provided a list of tolerable foods for those with gluten sensitivities. I find that the best prices for most of these items is on Amazon.

This Paleo and Keto friendly flour is also known as almond meal. You can make your own by grinding blanched almonds in a food processor. You can use almond flour as a wheat flour substitute in most good baking recipes.

Almond Flour Blanched (2lb) by Anthony’s, Batch Tested Gluten-Free

Amaranth is rich in fiber and protein, as well as other important micronutrients–manganese, magnesium, phosphorus and iron. Use a coffee grinder to make a flour out of amaranth.

Arrowhead Mills Organic Amaranth, 16 oz. Bag

Arrowroot contains good amounts of potassium, iron and B vitamins. Arrowroot has been known to improve cognition, promote cardiovascular health, reduce risk of birth defects, and more! Arrowroot powder can replace cornstarch as a thickener.

Organic Arrowroot Powder (Flour) – 1 Pound Resealable Bag (16oz) – 100% Raw From Vietnam – by Feel Good Organics

Includes black bean, Mung bean, as well as other legumes like lentils. These are typically used for pasta noodles. I find the best products are sold at whole foods.

Although it contains the word “wheat,” buckwheat is a gluten-free flour containing rutin, magnesium, copper, fiber and proteins.

Anthony’s Organic Buckwheat Flour (3lb), Grown in USA, Gluten Free, Vegan

Like other legumes, chickpeas are high in fiber and protein, and also contain several key vitamins and minerals. Chickpea flour can be used to substitute all-purpose flour. There is also a great chickpea pasta at Whole Foods.

Anthony’s Organic Chickpea Flour/Garbanzo Bean Flour (2lb), Gluten Free, Non-GMO

Coconut flour is considered a low-carb, gluten-free flour. Without going into too much detail, coconut flour aids metabolism, helps lower bad cholesterol, and helps maintain blood sugar levels. This flour is Keto and Paleo friendly.

Anthony’s Organic Coconut Flour (4lb), Batch Tested Gluten-Free, Non-GMO & Vegan

Arrowhead Mills Organic Gluten Free Coconut Flour, 16 oz. Bag

Millet is a gluten free ancient grain–or seed–that cooks rather quickly and has a pleasantly mild, partially sweet flavor.

Organic Hulled Millet (3lb) by Anthony’s – Gluten Free, Raw and USA Grown

Arrowhead Mills Organic Whole Millet, 28 oz. Bag

Potato Flour is ground from whole peeled and trimmed potatoes. Potato Flour attracts and holds water, producing moist yeast bread with an excellent shelf life. Use potato flour as a thickener for smoother sauces, gravies and soups, and in gluten free cooking.

Anthony’s Organic Potato Starch – Unmodified (2 Pounds), Gluten-Free & Non-GMO, Resistant Starch

This flour (also known as jowar flour) is stone ground from whole grain sorghum. This makes a popular alternative to wheat flour and an excellent ingredient for gluten-free baking.

Organic Jowar Flour – Sorghum Flour Superfine – ★ USDA Certified Organic – ★ European Union Certified Organic – ★ Pesticides Free – ★ Adulteration Free – ★ Sodium Free – 2 Lbs – 24 Mantra Organic

This is an inexpensive, high-carb thickening agent used in various foods and recipes.

Organic Tapioca Flour/Starch (2.5lbs) by Anthony’s, Gluten-Free & Non-GMO

Arrowhead Mills Organic Gluten Free Tapioca Flour, 18 oz. Bag (Pack of 6)

Urad dal flour is made from dried, ground whole urad dal (black eyed peas). These lentils are first cleaned, then roasted and ground into flour after removing the seed-coat. Common in many Indian and Chinese dishes.
Organic Urad Dal Split – 2 Lbs – 24 Mantra Organic

Similar to potato flour, but yams are used instead. Great for making noodles, gluten free bread, cookies and pie crusts.

For myself, I’ve noticed that my body does not absorb, assimilate, and eliminate grains very well. If you think this may be the case for you, be sure to eliminate all grains for two weeks. If you notice an improvement in your health and well-being, you may be intolerant to grains and especially gluten. Once you introduce grains again, start one at a time and rotate them every four days to minimize any possible adverse reactions. Below, you will find a list of intolerable foods for those trying to avoid gluten.
 
Intolerable Foods
  • Barley
  • Brown flour
  • Coucous
  • Graham Flour
  • Kamut
  • Pastas (unless corn or rice)
  • Rye
  • Semolina
  • Spelt
  • Teff
  • Wheat
  • Udon