Being gluten free can mean a lot of different things. For me, it means being mindful of the foods I’m consuming and ensuring that they don’t contain wheat, rye, barley, and a wide range of other grain products. It means cutting out a lot of foods that are just part of the American diet, or that happen to be favorites of mine, like cake, pizza, donuts, and other baked goods. But, there are a lot of great alternatives to these foods that are gluten free. For example, some veggies, fruits, certain frozen goodies, and alternate flours like almond and coconut flour make great replacements. There are also some really delicious gluten free products on the market these days that you can find in most supermarkets like espresso biscotti and bagels. Along with making some dietary changes, there are health benefits to being gluten free too. It can help reduce inflammation in the body, often leading to better digestion and overall health. It can also help with weight loss, as wheat products tend to be high on the glycemic index and can cause spikes in blood sugar. Beyond that, being gluten free can help improve some skin conditions, goiters, and other autoimmune diseases. In all, it’s worth considering a gluten free diet for the many potential health benefits.

Try this as your next healthier meal option to serve up for you and your loved ones:

Ingredients

– 2 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil – 1 onion, diced – 4 cloves of garlic, minced – 2 cans of diced tomatoes (14.5 ounces each) – 1/2 teaspoon of sugar – 1 teaspoon of dried oregano – 1/2 teaspoon of sea salt – 2 tablespoons of fresh basil, minced – 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes – 8 ounces of gluten-free rotini pasta – 1 cup of vegetable broth – 3/4 cup of frozen peas – 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

1. In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. 2. Add the onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. 3. Add the garlic and cook for another minute. 4. Add the tomatoes, sugar, oregano, salt, basil, and red pepper flakes. 5. Stir in the pasta and the broth, and bring the mixture to a boil. 6. Reduce the heat to low and simmer until the pasta is al dente, about 10 minutes. 7. Add the peas and simmer for 2 minutes or until the peas are heated through. 8. Stir in the Parmesan cheese and serve.