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9 Healthy Wheat Flour Alternatives

9 Healthy Wheat Flour Alternatives

Wheat Flour Alternatives OMTimes

With the increase in cases of celiac disease and gluten intolerance, many people are looking for wheat flour alternatives.

Wheat Flour Alternatives for Gluten Intolerance

Many people who have celiac disease and gluten intolerance must stay away from wheat and must find healthy alternatives to wheat flour. And with all the genetically-modified wheat on the market, it is probably a good idea to avoid wheat in general. What kinds of flour can we substitute for wheat?

Here are 9 healthy Wheat Flour Alternatives you may consider:

Wheat Flour Alternatives #1 – Almond Flour

If you have problems with regular flour then take a look at almond flour. Almond flour is full of protein, fiber, and also great B and E vitamins. Almond flour has half the carbs of regular flour and contains magnesium, potassium, iron, calcium, and more minerals. It is full of good fatty acids that reduce cholesterol and flavonoids that prevent cancer. It is also shown to help reduce blood pressure. Almond flour is good for the lips and skin, and it also relieves stress and helps your memory. – Good stuff!

 

Wheat Flour Alternatives #2 – Elephant Foot Yam Flour

The large tuber resembles an elephant foot thus its name, “elephant foot yam.” Elephant foot yams contain a large amount of protein making them great as a staple food. Elephant foot yams also contain large amounts of carbs that are important for vital energy and sustenance, such as potatoes. Elephant foot yams lower bad cholesterol, also known as LDL cholesterol, and help to prevent cardiovascular disease, strokes, and cancer.

In Ayurvedic medicine, this yam is well known for helping with asthma and bronchitis. Eating it for 90 days lowers blood sugar levels, lowering amounts of insulin or blood sugar lowering drugs a person needs. Eating elephant foot yam also helps with diarrhea and abdominal pain and gas and helps to prevent muscles spasms.

Elephant foot yams contain lots of great fiber that creates a wonderful home for probiotic bacteria; thus, helping to boost your immune system and prevent colon cancer. It also contains diosgenin, which is being researched for treatment and prevention of cancer. Elephant foot yams are full of great fiber which makes one feel full, good for when you want to lose weight.

Eating elephant foot yams help cool the body, which is great in hot climates. Women who eat elephant food yams find they have good hormonal balance. When cooked boiled, with buttermilk and tamarind, it makes a great treatment for enlarged prostate.

Elephant foot yams also contain powerful anticoagulant compounds, which help to prevent heart attacks. It contains compounds such as beta-sitosterol, galactose, xylose, betulinic acid, lupeol, stigmasterol, and amylase, which are all healing compounds called phytosterols.

Also contains zinc for boosting the immune system, phosphorus for strong bones, potassium for water regulation, B-6 for PMS, copper, and iron for anemia, calcium for strong bones, and many more trace minerals; plus Vitamin A, which is a powerful antioxidant.

Elephant foot yams have a very low glycemic index making them great for diabetics and for weight loss. It contains a good supply of Omega 3 Oils that are important for preventing cardiovascular disease and cancer.

Elephant foot yams can be used in curries, made into chips, soups, stews, casseroles, fried, baked, stir-fried, and just about any use that you can think of for regular sweet potatoes. It can be made into a flour for making bread.

 

Wheat Flour Alternatives #3 – Breadfruit Flour

Breadfruit is loved because it has a wonderful flavor. Breadfruit trees are large and produce lots of fruit. In 1769, Sir Joseph Banks said that if a man plants ten breadfruit trees he has done is a duty for future generations.

Breadfruit contains Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids and is full of fiber; thus, lowering bad or LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, while increasing good or HDL cholesterol, helping to lower blood pressure and prevent heart attacks, strokes, and cancer. The fiber in breadfruit slows down the absorption of sugar, so it is helpful for diabetics. The fiber works to make the colon a good place for probiotic bacteria to grow, boosting immunity and reducing the risk of colon cancer.

The fruit flesh can be dried and made into a nutrient-rich flour that is very healthy, much healthier than wheat flour. It is gluten-free and makes great bread. Breadfruit also contains lutein and zeaxanthin, which are important for eye health and preventing macular degeneration. Breadfruit is cholesterol-free and super low in fat.

Breadfruit also contains vitamins A and C for getting rid of free radicals and boosting immunity, B-vitamins for increased vitality and mood enhancement, vitamin E for sexual health, vitamin K for proper clotting, selenium for treating prostate cancer, copper and iron for anemia, phosphorus and calcium for strong bones, zinc for boosting immunity, potassium for water regulation, magnesium for regulating blood sugar levels, manganese for arthritis, and many different proteins such as lysine for building muscles and enzyme production.

 

Wheat Flour Alternatives #4 – Maya Nut Flour

Maya Nuts (also called bread nuts or Ramon nuts) contain a complete protein that is similar to animal protein because it contains lots of absorbable iron. Maya nuts can be eaten raw or roasted. Once roasted, they can be ground into flour and made into many types of foods, tasting a bit like mashed potatoes. Maya nut flour makes great bread, tortillas, biscuits, cakes, soups, stews, tea, burgers, sauces, cookies, cereal, drinks, pudding, pancakes, ice cream, and tamales. It can even be made into a drink with cinnamon that tastes a little bit like chocolate, which is wonderful.

Maya nuts contain many important nutrients for infants, older people, and women who are pregnant, and vegetarians. Maya nuts contain tryptophan, a relaxing agent that helps with insomnia. They increase serotonin levels, elevating mood and lifting depression.

Maya nuts contain protein, fiber, potassium for good blood pressure, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, copper, iron, selenium for relaxation, vitamins A, B, C, and E…  and lots of powerful antioxidants that prevent cardiovascular disease, strokes, and cancer. Maya nuts stabilize blood sugar and also lower cholesterol. The fiber helps with constipation and gives you that full feeling, so you eat less. Maya nuts do not create allergic reactions the way walnuts, peanuts, almonds, and other nuts do.

 

Wheat Flour Alternatives #5 – Sago Palm Flour

Sago is used around the world for those who are debilitated and cannot digest food well. Sago leaves are cut and the starch inside is made into pearls that are and used in making Japanese teas (Bubble Teas) and into something similar to tapioca pudding, but it is not tapioca. Sago is very low in fat and protein, so it is easy to digest. Sago is a good source of carbs and can be cooked with rice for a nice low-calorie meal that also cools the body.

Sago flour can be used in place of regular flour. It is used to make bread in Nepal and works well for those whose systems do not get along with wheat. Sago has little in the way of minerals and vitamins, so adding brown rice flour, chickpea flour, or other nut flours to sago provides more nutrients. Sago flour is a great way to thicken anything you are cooking.

 

Wheat Flour Alternatives #6 – Konjac Root Flour

Konjac root, from Asia, is filled with lots of great fiber. It is also full of amazing minerals, such as iron, potassium, calcium, selenium, small amounts of fat that are good for the body, and protein. It absorbs water in your stomach, making you feel full so you lose weight and has zero calories and no carbs. It lowers blood glucose and also increases insulin production so it is great for diabetics.

Konjac root is also very alkaline, which is good for the body and can be used as flour for making all kinds of foods including noodles. It contains lots of great vitamins, including A, B’s, C, E, and it also lowers cholesterol. Konjac root is great for the gastrointestinal tract and soothes away any of the irritable bowel diseases that are common these days. Some clinical studies show it might help prevent cancer and promote the growth of probiotic bacteria. Konjac root is great stuff.

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Wheat Flour Alternatives #7 – Finger Millet Flour

Finger millet is a grain grown in dry regions of the world. It is very high in protein and minerals, low in carbs, and very high in methionine (a good amino acid that is very hard to find in most foods). Finger millet is easy for children to digest and is gluten-free, high in fiber, and also lowers blood pressure and cholesterol, helping to prevent heart attacks and strokes. It also lowers blood glucose levels so it is great for those who are diabetic.

The nitrilosides in finger millet has been shown to help prevent cancer. Finger millet can be made into flour and used in soups, stews, and all kinds of healthy foods including bread. And some people believe eating it can help to lose weight.

See Also
Ushapan Ayurveda

 

Wheat Flour Alternatives #8 – Lupin Seed Flour

You might have noticed lupin flowers on the side of the road, but did you know they are being raised for seed and that the seeds have great health benefits?

The seeds can be made into flour and it lowers your blood glucose level. They also lower LDL, total cholesterol levels, and boosts your energy level. Lupin keeps you feeling good for a long time because it breaks down into glucose very slowly, great for keeping you from getting hungry so you lose weight.

Lupin flour also helps lower blood pressure, prevent cardiovascular disease, and stroke. Lupin is probiotic in action and also a good hypoallergenic food, much better for you than wheat. And Lupin is full of great vitamins, minerals, protein, and high in antioxidants. What more could you ask for–a great natural food–that is good for you.

 

Wheat Flour Alternatives #9 – Hazelnut Flour

This natural source of food has been commercialized and is grown in mass production in Oregon, Washington, and also in Europe and the UK, China, Iran, Spain, Italy, Turkey, and other countries. Turkey has the largest production of hazelnuts in the world. Hazelnuts have lots of energy in them (100 grams of nuts contains about 600 calories), and are a good food source. Look for them growing wild along streams.



Hazelnuts, or filberts, are high in phytochemicals that prevent cancer. If you have celiac disease or have gluten sensitivity, then using hazelnut flour is a great way to have your cake and eat it too… no pun intended. I make a wonderful Hazelnut Chocolate Cake that’s to die for! Hazelnuts have lots of fiber in them which promotes probiotic bacteria growth. This improves colon health and boosts the immune system.

Hazelnut oil is wonderful and has been used for cooking for centuries. It is monounsaturated and contains oleic acid and linoleic acid, which is great for lowering cholesterol. Hazelnuts are a good source of protein to build strong muscles.

Hazelnuts also contain iron and copper for anemia; zinc for boosting your immune system; phosphorus and calcium for strong bones; potassium for water regulation and cardiovascular health; manganese, which works together with antioxidants to boost your immune system; magnesium for improved metabolism; and selenium for fertility. Even though hazelnuts contain oil, they are also cholesterol-free.

There are many more alternative flours, but these will get you started.

Making Them Sticky

To get these flours to stick together and be more glutinous, add xanthene gum to the mix. Just a very small amount of this natural gum added to your alternative flour works great for making bread.

How to Find These Alternatives

Search the internet “buy [insert name] flour,” to find many places where these alternative flours may be ordered, or ask for them at your local health food store. Here’s to your good health!

 

You will also enjoy 10 Healthy Reasons to Eat Banana Peels

About the Article

This article is meant to get you started, so you can do more research on your own. Dig a little deeper and find what works for you. This article is for educational purposes only, I strongly recommend that you seek advice from your own GP, private doctor, or medical specialist for any ailment, illness, or medical condition. This article not meant to be a scientific analysis in any way, shape, or form.

About the Author

Dr. Paul Haider is a Master Herbalist and Spiritual Teacher for over 20 years, helping people to recover and feel healthy. You can also find Dr. Haider on FB under Dr. Paul Haider, Healing Herbs, and at www.paulhaider.com.



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