By Sameera Ali

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Six months ago, while getting an adjustment at my chiropractors office, I  was complaining about how much pain I’m in all the time and that no matter how little I eat, I always seem to be bloated and lethargic plus losing weight is such a battle for me. After hearing me out, my chiropractor suggested I try going gluten-free for a week and see how that works! Well six months in and 15 pounds down, Ive never felt better!

Benefits of being gluten free are numerous and immeasurable but it does come with its own set of challenges, mainly getting used to new and different flavours and letting go of wheat, and since Ramadan is here, a new challenge for me is to find filling and nutritious gluten free foods I can use for Suhoor and Iftar. The fasts will be long and time for replenishing lost energy and nutrition will be very little. You can literally call it the proverbial “race against time”!

Suhoor Tips

Here are my tips for Suhoor.

I plan to continue with Protein Smoothies/Shakes as my first meal of the day as I find them to be most filling and satisfying. Here some of my go-to Protein Shake recipes guaranteed to keep you full for 4-5 hours straight!

Banana and Date Protein Shake

Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp almond butter
  • 1 scoop of your favourite Vanilla flavoured protein powder
  • 1 tbsp coconut oil
  • 1 tbsp hemp seeds
  • 1/2 banana
  • 1 cup unsweetened almond milk/plain milk
  • 2 dates
  • 1/2 cup ice

Directions

Blend everything together and enjoy!

Mixed Berry Protein Shake

Ingredients

  • 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
  • 1/2 banana
  • 1/2 cup frozen berries
  • 1 scoop of your favorite Vanilla flavoured Protein Powder
  • 1 tbsp hemp seeds
  • 1 tbsp almond butter
  • 1/2 cup ice

Directions

Mix everything together and enjoy!

For days I won’t have time to make a shake I plan to make ahead these delicious and easy to make protein bites!

Make Ahead Mocha Protein Bites

Ingredients

1/2 cup of almond butter

2 tbsp honey

2 tbsp hemp seeds

2 tbsp shredded coconut

3/4 cup of vanilla protein powder

1 teaspoon melted coconut oil

2 tablespoon crushed raw almonds

1 tsp cocoa powder [optional]

1 tsp instant coffee powder [optional]

Directions

Mix almond butter, protein powder, honey and coconut oil until smooth.  Then add remainder of ingredients. Roll into 1 inch balls and place in an airtight container in the fridge for storage.

These can be made with many different ingredients and proportions to create custom protein balls to satisfy your personal preference!

So far all my efforts at baking a gluten free bread have failed but just the other day I saw a new gluten-free blend in the store and I plan to bake some loaves of bread and freeze them to use as needed if the bread turns out good! Please share your tried and tested gluten free bread recipes if you have any in the comments section!

For Iftar Ideas, check out my blog at positiveidentity.blogspot.ca as I log in my tried and tested recipes throughout the month of Ramadan so everyone can benefit from them. Bon Apetit et Ramadan Kareem!

 

About the Author:

Sameera Ali is a full-time freelance content writer /SEO expert and a mom of four wonderful kids who keep her busy and thankful always.