An Easy (and Delicious) Way to Ward Off Holiday Weight Gain

Cookies. Cakes. Pies. Pastries. Crackers. Delicious as they may be, the hallmark treats of the holidays are an all-out carnival of wheat. And where you find wheat, you also find gluten.

You've likely heard about gluten—a protein found in wheat and other grains, including barley, rye, kamut and spelt—because of the rise in prevalence of celiac disease (an allergy to gluten). While the number of people who are truly allergic to gluten is small (one study estimates that 1% of the population has celiac disease), the typical American diet—with its emphasis on bread, pasta, pizza, and baked goods—includes an awful lot of wheat. Which means your body has to deal with an awful lot of gluten, making it more likely that your body develops sensitivity to gluten, whether it's mild or full-blown. Symptoms of gluten sensitivity include water retention, weight gain, headaches, lethargy, skin breakouts, and joint pain just to name a few.

If you experience these symptoms on a regular basis, we highly recommend putting a food sensitivity test at the top of your holiday wish list, so you can start the new year feeling great and finally losing that extra weight--and keeping it off. (If you're intrigued and would like to hear more, email us at info@kriswade.com.)

And everyone could benefit from finding ways to avoid an all-out gluten binge. Here are some great gluten-free recipes to keep you on track for the holidays.

• Juicy Turkey 
• Cornbread
• Cranberry Chutney
• Pumpkin and Sweet Potato Mash
• Holiday Stuffing
• Wild Rice Sausage Stuffing
• Frosted Spice Cupcakes
• Fruitcake
• Lemon Sugar Cookies
• Coconut Milk Eggnog
• Soy Dream Nog

Happy eating, and warm wishes for the holidays.

Yours in good health,

Kris Wade