Maintaining a Healthy Weight with Protein Shakes: Gluten-free,Allergen-free

Whether you're looking to put on a few pounds (like me) or you're getting rid of a few, protein shakes can be beneficial in both circumstances. Being allergic to gluten and a few of the top 8 allergens definitely makes finding a good protein powder challenging though. Usually they're made from soy, whey (dairy) or have a combination of other allergens present in the ingredients. I'm so glad to have found a safe alternative: Jarrow Formulas Brown Rice Protein Powder.

Most rice is usually considered non-allergenic, and when you combine this with the allergen statement from the Jarrow Formulas webpage, you get a wicked awesome product that suits a lot of food allergic folk. Here's the statement:

No wheat, no gluten, no soybeans, no dairy, no egg, no fish/shellfish, no peanuts/tree nuts.

In addition, the website states that this product is fine for vegetarians and vegans alike. I plan to look into other Jarrow Formulas products in the near future since I now know they have an extensive food allergen labeling system going on.

TIPS:

• Gaining Weight with Protein shakes: Sometimes being allergic to many foods can make it hard to increase your BMI to a normal level. Try mixing the chocolate, vanilla, or mixed berry flavors of the powder with some good quality coconut milk (I use SO Delicious Sugar Free Vanilla) and add these shakes into your regular diet. Don't use them as meal replacements, but rather to supplement and add extra calories and healthy protein. This is the route I'm taking right now.


• Losing Weight: Instead of adding sugary or fatty snacks to your mid-afternoon, try whipping up a protein shake instead. It will fill you up and make you feel full longer. When you binge on sugar laden foods, you get an instantaneous boost, but it doesn't last. You'll end up crashing, then eating more to keep your energy levels up. Adding a protein shake instead will help break the cycle.

(Disclaimer: As I always like to note, I am not a medical professional and this should not be regarded as medical advice. Talk with your health professional to determine the best diet/health regimine for you).

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Drew Brees for So Delicious

Drew Brees has been a great advocate for living fully and healthily with food allergies. It's crazy inspiring to see a Pro NFL Quarterback who won the Superbowl rock it out while living with a gluten-free diet and multiple food allergies to boot. (I've written about Drew in the past here). Drew recently worked with So Delicious Dairy-free in a video detailing the importance of getting yourself tested for food allergies, and enjoying a fuller life as a result. I can personally vouch that So Delicious Coconut milk products are all phenomenal. There are a some So Delicious Coconut yogurt products that contain small amounts of legumes (locust bean gum, carob gum) so if you are legume-free like me, you'll want to avoid those ones. The Coconut milk products are always a staple in my pantry and are a favorite of everyone in the family. Check out Drew Brees and his wife discuss living healthy lives food allergy free with So Delicious below:

Those of us with food allergies, celiac disease, or other food disorders are just as capable of greatness as anyone else, despite dietary restrictions or health issues. Thanks for the inspiration Drew!

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