6 Great Gluten Free Supplements...And Counting!

First of all, what is gluten free? A gluten free diet dictates of avoiding the protein portion of grains, which is called gluten. This gluten free condition is often known as celiac disease, which ranges in levels of gluten free sensitivity. In this case, a patient can be recommended to have a gluten free diet since gluten can damage the lining of the small intestine.

Some side effects of gluten within a gluten free lifestyle include bloating, weight loss, diarrhea, cramping, or vitamin deficiencies. This dictates the need for a gluten free supplement for any individuals that are sensitive to or cannot tolerate gluten within the diet!

Luckily, there are numerous choices in premium gluten free supplements, so to begin...

here are the 6 best gluten free supplements to choose from:

Try hemp as a protein source.

Hemp protein is a premium gluten free supplement choice, and many options are 100% organic hemp protein. This is ideal for any gluten free vegetarian or nonvegetarian looking for a gluten free protein supplement. It can often be difficult to find gluten free choices within a protein supplement, so hemp protein should be at the top of your list. In fact, many hemp proteins are only made from the one ingredient, which is hemp. This guarantees that they are 100% gluten free to prevent any adverse reactions to wheat in the diet. Also what is great is Hemp proteins are now made to taste so much better than before! No more choking it down.  Try Prairie Naturals Organic Raw Hemp Protein, is not only tolerable, but actually tasty and comes in multiple flavours!

Look for a fiber source within a gluten free supplement.

There a number of complete gluten free supplements that are also vegetarian friendly. These supplements often contain fiber and essential fatty acids that are gluten free, and they are also full of antioxidants to neutralize free radical damage in the diet. Even if you have a gluten free lifestyle, it is so necessary to have enough soluble fiber within the diet. This is often something that can be missed in a gluten free diet if you are avoiding whole grains that contain gluten. These products also contain high levels of protein full of amino acids to promote healthy muscle growth. Overall, these gluten free supplements containing fiber will offer a complete source of iron, calcium, magnesium, and protein for those with a gluten free diet.

The absolute best (and my personal favourite) gluten free fiber supplement is North Coast Naturals Ultimate Daily Cleanse. It has fiber, probiotics and pretty much everything for a healthy digestive system. Absolutely love it!

Try organic brown rice protein as a supplement.

This is another healthful choice that is also vegetarian friendly. The great news is that brown rice is a complete protein that is also gluten free. In many cultures, brown rice has been used as a complete form of protein for centuries, and it can provide the same benefits in a protein supplement remaining gluten free. Many brown rice protein supplements have high levels of protein, and they are ideal for many individuals with allergies and food sensitivities, including those who need products that are gluten free. Brown rice protein can supplement a vegan and gluten free diet without any worry of adverse reactions to wheat products.

While there are a few different rice proteins out there, you want to make sure you get one that is organic, brown rice and isn't manufactured with hexane. The best brown rice protein is our store is Progressive 100% Organic Brown Rice Protein.

Use a gluten free vegetarian meal replacement.

If you are looking for a well rounded meal replacement on the market, it may be difficult to find a gluten free choice. However, many gluten free meal replacement products can be made into shakes, containing hemp protein, brown rice protein, flax powder, and cholorella as a green food ingredient that is gluten free. This will give you the opportunity to have a complete meal replacement without having to worry about gluten within the diet. This is also an ideal gluten free method to suppress the appetite if you are hoping to lose weight overall.

While I am not a vegan or vegetarian, I have tried a bunch of the proteins and I have to say without a doubt the best tasting vegan meal replacement is Sequel Vega. Mix it with some almond milk for a nice creamy texture and you have a nice smoothie. Progressive Vegessential contains so many health optimizing benefits and overall will help you feel and look better...gluten free of course! :)

Even whey protein now comes Gluten Free!

Don't think that you have to have a plant based protein to have it gluten free. Now the top whey protein manufacturers in the world are making their proteins so pure and in such specific manufacturing conditions to ensure 100% gluten free status. If you are more taste sensitive than most, when it comes to protein powder and need the most smooth texture whey protein is definitely the way to go.

This is something that has really increased in popularity recently. Right now I would say some of the best quality gluten free proteins are made by Progressive. If you want their best, most pure, easiest mixing, delicious protein you want to go with the Progressive Harmonized Protein.

Don't forget a gluten free multivitamin!

This is something so necessary to a gluten free diet, which will allow you to supplement your nutrition in the form of a multivitamin. If you are avoiding many wheat products, you can also be at risk for vitamin and mineral deficiencies if you are eating gluten free. The best way to counteract this risk is by taking a multivitamin that can give you the additional vitamins and minerals you are looking for to prevent disease and illness from a strict gluten free diet.

To recommend gluten free vitamins is super easy. New Chapter makes some of the world's best vitamins and surprisingly enough all New Chapter Vitamins are 100% gluten free naturally!

What to avoid in a gluten free diet:

To stick to the strictest precautions in a gluten free diet, make sure to read all supplement labels carefully. If a product is labeled as gluten free, it should stick to those standards, but to be safe, read your product labels again. Avoid any products that contain rye, barley, and wheat to stick to a gluten free diet. However, a gluten free diet can include potato, rice, corn, soy, buckwheat, and quinoa. As a rule of thumb, there are several ingredients used in products that contain gluten, so if you are on a gluten free diet, avoid flavoring, starch, or stabilizer. The odds are that these product ingredients are not gluten free.

Be an educated gluten free consumer.

The bottom line is that having a gluten free diet is not a death sentence in any way. Yes, you do need to avoid foods that contain gluten, but on the bright side, so many more restaurants and products are catering to the gluten free diet than ever before. The best thing that you can do for yourself in eating gluten free is to be an educated consumer and know what type of products you are looking for. This is best seen in the choice of your dietary supplement, which will work to give you the necessary vitamins and minerals you need to balance anything you may be lacking in your nutrition.

Use your gluten free supplement with a balanced diet.

In addition to your gluten free supplement, make sure that the rest of your diet is as balanced as possible. Again, a gluten free diet is at risk for vitamin and mineral deficiencies, so make sure that you are getting enough protein, whole fruits, and whole vegetables to provide balance. These gluten free supplements can easily be taken on a daily basis, and they provide a number of benefits in balanced nutrition, a gluten free way to increase protein intake, and helpful fiber content without gluten. These types of gluten free supplements will enhance your nutrition overall to benefit your diet and exercise program, and they will also prevent any potential reactions as a result of having gluten within a gluten free diet.