A Gluten Free Memorial Day–Celiac Awareness Month

Happy Memorial Day! In addition to the holiday, May is also special because it is Celiac Awareness Month and highlights gluten-free foods. What is gluten exactly? Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, rye and non-gluten free oats. Common foods that contain gluten include many cereals, breads and pastas. Celiac Disease is an autoimmune disorder where gluten consumption leads to damage of the small intestine. This can lead to problems with absorbing food and vital nutrients our bodies need. There are many foods that are naturally GF (gluten free) including fruits, vegetables, dairy and nuts. Now that you know a little about gluten and Celiac disease, see below for ideas on a successful GF Memorial Day picnic or grill-out!

Gluten-Free Items for Grilling

• Chicken, pork, beef, turkey
• Hy-Vee Reduced Fat Shredded Cheddar Cheese
• Heinz Reduced Sugar Tomato Ketchup
• Hy-Vee Corn on the Cob
• Hy-Vee Select Roasted Red Pepper Hummus
• Beanitos Bean Chips
• Healthmarket Organic Blue Corn Tortilla Chips
• Hy-Vee Homestyle Mild Guacamole
• Margaritaville Mild Salsa

Gluten-Free Snack Items

• La Croix waters
• Glutino pretzels
• Mixed nuts
• Beanitos
• Crunchmaster GF crackers

Gluten-Free Breakfast Ideas

• Orange juice
• Scrambled eggs with cheddar cheese
• Banana
• Gluten-free cereal
• Coffee

Gluten-Free Lunch Ideas

• Hamburger
• Gluten-free hamburger bun
• Baked potato
• Baby carrots
• Fresh apple slices
• Milk

Gluten-Free Dinner Ideas

• Pork chop
• Rice or quinoa
• Green beans
• Fruit cup with fresh fruit
• Milk

Gluten-Free Recipes

A-Touch-of-Dijon Chicken Kabobs

All you need:
8 Hy-Vee bamboo skewers
2 tbsp Hy-Vee Select white wine vinegar
3 tbsp Hy-Vee Select garlic-flavored olive oil
1 tsp Hy-Vee Dijon mustard
Hy-Vee salt and Hy-Vee pepper, to taste
1/2 pound Hy-Vee Cool Chicken boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into thin strips
1 pint cherry tomatoes
1 small onion, cut into chunks
1 green pepper, seeded and cut into chunks
1 (8oz) container whole fresh mushrooms

All you do:
1. Soak skewers in water for 30 minutes.
2. To make vinaigrette, whisk together vinegar, olive oil, mustard, salt and pepper.
3. Thread skewers with chicken, cherry tomatoes, onion, green pepper and mushrooms.
4. Brush kabobs with vinaigrette. Grill, uncovered, for 15 to 20 minutes or until chicken is cooked through and vegetables are tender.
5. Enjoy!

4-Bean Salad

All you need:

1 (14.5 oz) can Hy-Vee cut green beans, drained

1 (14.5 oz) can cut yellow wax beans, drained

1 (15 oz) can Hy-Vee dark red kidney beans, drained

1 (15 oz) can Hy-Vee garbanzo beans, drained

1 cup sliced red onion

1/4 cup chopped green bell pepper

1 cup Hy-Vee apple cider vinegar

1 cup Hy-Vee sugar

1/2 cup Hy-Vee vegetable oil

1 tsp Hy-Vee salt

1/2 tsp Hy-Vee black pepper

All you do:

1. In a large bowl, combine beans, red onion and bell pepper.

2. In a separate bowl, whisk together vinegar, sugar, oil, salt and black pepper. Pour over beans.

3. Toss four-bean salad well and chill for at least 4 hours. Store salad in refrigerator. 

4. Enjoy!

*It's important to always double check labels to avoid any gluten containing preservatives or added ingredients. 

-West Lakes Hy-Vee Dietitian Team