At the beginning of my lectin-free journey, I had cravings for foods I was used to eating: bread, tortillas, rice, pasta, and chips were all staples in my diet. With a lectin-free lifestyle, one has to avoid all grains (that includes corn, quinoa, and rice!). 

 

The beautiful thing about living in today’s day and age there are an assortment of compliant (“alternative”) products available that will help you to easily transition to a lectin-free lifestyle. There are so many products to explore and new products emerging everyday. 

The awesome thing to look forward to when you are completely lectin-free, you will actually lose the cravings for the carbs and starches you ate in the past. You will eventually find that a lectin-free plant-based diet will satisfy you, especially supplying your body with needed vitamins and minerals.

I personally chose products that are aligned with my own beliefs; listed products are not only compliant, but they also taste good and in fact, taste like the food you are replacing. Meaning, it doesn’t taste like “diet food”. These are amazing products that, in my opinion, actually tasted better than the real deal!

So let’s get started and I’ll introduce you to my favorite lectin-free carb replacement products on the market:

1. BREAD

California Country Gal offers one of my favorite products. She has an assortment of lectin-free/grain-free products, but her classic loaf of bread is divine. What’s even better? You can order it on Amazon.

I respect California Country Gal so much because her bread tastes like real homemade bread and it is so easy to make. I love being able to eat “bread” when I have that itch and not feel like I am missing out in any way. California Country Gal is fantastic and she has many other products to try that are compliant as well.

2. PASTA, PASTA, PASTA

Another notable company I am loving is Cappello’s. In the freezer section of your local Whole Foods, your local specialty market, or even Amazon (in bulk) you will find these divine boxes of pasta. Don’t let this frozen pasta fool you! Quick pitch: it’s frozen, cooks in boiling water in 90 seconds and tastes like homemade pasta. Yes, it tastes like real pasta, not the gluey gluten-free, rice or bean-made pasta. This pasta not only tastes like pasta, but it also tastes like great pasta.

Quick note: The Fettuccine is fantastic and so are the Lasagna noodles. However, do not purchase the gnocchi because it is made with potato (which is traditionally how gnocchi is made). Why do we avoid the gnocchi? A potato is in the nightshade family as a reminder (full of lectins and a “no-no”).

3. TORTILLAS

Like I said before, lots of these products taste better than the average stuff on the shelves! Enter in Siete Family Food’s Tortillas found in many markets as well as Amazon. Their tortillas are so delicious, tasting like real flour tortillas. I find they only need a slight warming on either side to make the perfect tortilla. You can also cut the tortillas up and bake them as chips. 

What to buy: the Almond Flour the Cassava Coconut tortillas. Both delicious, with slightly different flavors, so try both and see what you like best! 

Quick note: they do make chips and other tortillas that are non-compliant. For example, the chips are made from ground chia seeds which is non-compliant. Just be wary of any packaged good; always check labels to ensure all ingredients will benefit and not harm your body.

4. CHIPS

Of course, you can make your own chips at home (try Cumin-Spiced Plantain Chips), but when you want something quickly there are some compliant cassava chips on the market that taste like salty potato chips without the lectins. Artisan Tropic is an excellent lectin-free and nightshade-free option. It satisfies that salty chip craving. Make some guacamole or pastured sour cream dip on the side and there you have it: your fix.

Quick note: With other chips on the market, always check products are made with avocado, coconut oil, or other lectin-free oils. 

5. RICE

Ohhhh rice. I didn’t know how easy you would be to replace! Now that we have cauliflower, broccoli, and sweet potato rice versions it’s like you never existed! Honestly, why not replace this one today… these vegetable “rices” are even in your local store’s freezer section or even on Amazon. I’ll take fiber instead of sugary starch any day of the week! What I love the most? You can store these packets in the freezer (AND!) you can bake them frozen and have a meal 30-40 minutes later.

I loved giving you the low down and have even more to come on my favorite products in the marketplace. It really makes this diet not only livable (and doable), but it’s actually enjoyable and satisfying. Happy grazing without the guilt!

 

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