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It's not just a diet trend, it's much more than that!
We sat with Holly, a dietician, who talked to us about living a gluten-free life—from her early health struggles to now being gluten-free has changed throughout the years. Plus, she shares her favorite gluten-free alternatives for cooking and what inspired her to become a dietician.
Holly is wearing Ellie December 2021 outfit, Boss Gloss.
What inspired you to start living a gluten-free life?
When I was in high school, I started having these horrible stomach pains that would lead to me passing out randomly. I went to so many doctors, yet none of them had answers. My last option was going to see my local holistic nutritionists and we worked on a lot of things...but going gluten-free was the main change that helped with all my gut issues.
When I was in high school, I started having these horrible stomach pains that would lead to me passing out randomly. I went to so many doctors, yet none of them had answers. My last option was going to see my local holistic nutritionists and we worked on a lot of things...but going gluten-free was the main change that helped with all my gut issues.
Are there any challenges that have come up for you being gluten-free?
At first, there were a lot. I didn’t even know what gluten was or where it was found, so finding foods that I could eat was a huge challenge. But fast-forward 10 years, there are so many gluten-free brands and options out there, making going out to eat easier and easier.
Where do you get the inspiration for the recipes you make?
Most of my inspiration comes from my pantry! I usually see what I have open
that I need to use up and experiment from there!
I also get a lot of inspiration from my mom. She is always baking—but not the gluten-free versions—so I see the things she has been making and then try to make them gluten-free!
What are your favorite alternative ingredients to use when baking/ cooking gluten free?
I love baking with almond and coconut flour or Bob's Red Mill Gluten-Free Baking 1-to-1 flour. It works for everything! I also love coconut aminos in place of soy sauce!
What do you think is the most important aspect of creating balanced eating habits?
The most important aspect of creating balanced eating habits is to find the foods you really enjoy! Experiment in the kitchen and try new recipes until you find what works for you. People say eating healthy is boring, but there are so many different ways to flavor meals that I think it's just not an excuse these days.
What inspired you to become a dietitian?
What inspired me to become a dietitian is very similar to what inspired me to go gluten-free. I suffered from years of stomach pain and digestive issues that just weren’t going away and doctors didn’t know what was going on. My last attempt at trying to get these symptoms under control was going to a local dietitian. She taught me so much about how food is medicine and how nutrition plays a role in almost everything, including gut health and performance. I fell in love with this area of practice and wanted to learn as much as I could so I switched from
engineering to dietetics.
LIGHTNING ROUND Q&A
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Early bird or night owl
Cardio or weight-lifting
Sweet or Savory
Matcha or Coffee
Fall or Summer
World Traveler or Homebody
Friends or The Office