When my children were little, they were on strict gluten-free, dairy-free diet. It was a lot of work. But, in the end, it was worth it.
Now, they’re healthy and independent young adults. They eat whatever they want, even though I wish they wouldn’t. However, I’m still grateful they can do this.
My youngest was so gluten sensitive that he’d start wheezing if I brought him to the grocery store, and we had to pass the bakery section. Even going to church was challenging. Sometimes, parents sitting in front of us would feed their children crackers at Mass. During the “Sign of Peace,” when we shake hands, I’d have to pull him away to prevent gluten exposure. So I totally get how important it is to avoid gluten.
Gluten Free Dairy Free Dinner Ideas
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I also know it’s difficult to continually come up with gluten-free, dairy-free dinner ideas. But it’s infinitely easier now, than it was years ago. Gluten-free flours and substitutes are readily available in supermarkets, and online as well. When my children were little, this wasn’t the case. So every two weeks my husband and I would put them in the car, and make a trip to the nearest Whole Foods market.
It took an entire afternoon to stock up on gluten-free staples. We also spent a lot of money. There was little competition, so speciality foods were very expensive.
Now, there’s no need to drive long distances. I can easily pick up what I need at the grocery store. Or, I can order whatever I need online. (Below, you can see two popular brands of sorghum flour, a gluten-free staple that I’m never without.)
Gluten Free Sorghum Flour
Pure Sorghum Flour
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Ironically, my children are no longer gluten free. But I am, due to chronic nerve inflammation, which I control with diet interventions and various natural remedies. Avoiding wheat and dairy products seems to help. Even without these foods, though, I’m still able to put good meals on the table.
Gluten Free Dairy Free Recipes for Dinner
Years ago, when we ventured into the land of special diets, a few good books were available. Now, there’s been an explosion of books about gluten-free dairy free cooking. You can find recipes online. You can also find a good selection of cookbooks that focus on special diets.
I’ve learned that you can get as creative as you want. A few months ago, I was even able to find an incredible beef stroganoff recipe made without cream. It was every bit as delectible as the original recipe. My husband loved it, even though he doesn’t have dietary restrictions.
Sometimes, since I’m working full time, I also go simple. One of my favorite meals is simply cutting up a chicken breast and coating it with natural sorghum flour. I fry these homemade chicken nuggets in a pan and add them to a salad. It’s so simple, but it’s so good.
Gluten Free Dairy Free Dinner Recipes
Through the years, I’ve come up with a number of recipes that I use a lot. My family would probably complain that I use them too much. I’m definitely guilty of making chicken soup too often. It’s so easy to put a chicken breast, onions, carrots and organic chicken broth and spices in my natural clay slow cooker and know that two hours later the chicken will be nice and tender.
So I’ve started to branch out a bit. Sometimes I get my recipes from Real Plans. (This is where I found that delicious beef stronganoff recipe without cream.) Real Plans can be especially valuable for people just starting out on a special diet. That’s because it makes shopping and cooking easier.
Gluten Free Dairy Free Shopping List
Once a week, you receive a shopping list. This is designed to save time and money. You buy only what you need. The idea is to also spare you from last-minute trips to the grocery store, becasue you forgot a certain item. With this list, you have everything you need to make a week’s worth of delicious meals. You can use Real Plans for dinner only. Or, you can use it for all of your meals and snacks.
Many of my readers have chronic health problems, like me. A special has helped so much. So, if they’re stuck, and aren’t familiar with gluten-free, dairy-free cooking, I urge them to sign up for Real Plans, just for a month. This way they have help, and access to live chats, as they learn to overhaul their kitchen. If you’d like more information about this budget meal planning service, click on the image below. (And don’t get discouraged. Changing your diet seems overwhelming. But you quickly adjust to a new way of cooking.)
Gluten Free Dairy Free Desserts
I’m blessed. My young adult daughter lives at home, and she likes to cook. Occasionally, she’ll make me the most delicious gluten-free, dairy-free dessert. I can’t eat much sugar, because of my nerve inflammation. But I can enjoy the occasional treat made with pure organic cane sugar. I try to avoid genetically modified foods. Regular sugar, made from sugar beets, may contain GMOs.
The good news is that you can still enjoy many of your favorite desserts. You just have to get creative. For instance, my daughter once made the most delicious chocolate pudding with mashed avocado, organic cocoa powder and organic sugar. It looked and tasted just like the real thing.
Staying on a gluten-free, dairy-free diet was an adjustment. But I never feel deprived. That’s because it’s possible to make almost anything with substitutes. Just like the old saying, “When one door closes another one opens.”
Gluten Free Meals Delivered to Your Home
Sometimes, though, you may not feel like cooking. The biggest complaint I have about my special diet is that there’s no break. I generally don’t get takeout food. Restaurant options are limited, so we don’t go out to dinner very often.
So, for an occasional treat, you may want to try Sun Basket organic home delivered meals. You can request gluten-free, dairy-free and even paleo options.
Sun Basket generously sent me a box of food to review for free. It contained three delicious restaurant-style meals for two. One of them was just enough for two. But the others could have easily served three or four, especially if I added a salad or some gluten-free bread. Sun Basket is one of the few meal delivery services that uses organic, non-GMO ingredients, which is why I feel comfortable recommending it to my readers. Click on the image below for more information.
