You might be wondering how you can enjoy Thai cuisine to the fullest while you have these conditions. Well, here is a guide to doing it.
If you have a gluten sensitivity or celiac disease, in which you are intolerant of any gluten, it can be difficult to maintain a balanced diet. You might have to cut some of your favorite foods out of your life or try gluten-free equivalents that don’t taste the same. So you might be wondering how you can enjoy Thai cuisine to the fullest while you have these conditions. Well, here is a guide to doing it.
Ingredients in Thai Cuisine
Some of the most common elements in Thai cuisine are already gluten-free. For instance, rice is found all over the world but is most prevalent as a staple in pan-Asian cooking. You can choose between white rice and brown rice, and brown rice can give you more fiber than its white counterpart. You can also use rice noodles in place of wheat noodles.
Fish sauce is made from fermented anchovies, so if you would prefer not to try it, you don’t have to; still, it’s an excellent replacement for salt if you are willing enough to give it a go. Shrimp paste is another tasty ingredient you can use to add to a curry dish or use a Thai chili if you want to kick the spice factor up a notch. Need something to balance out the heat? That’s where you can use lemongrass and coconut milk.
Restaurant Tips
Let’s say you’ve decided to take a vacation in late March and you want to travel through Thailand. Sitting down at a restaurant and indicating that you are gluten-free can be difficult, especially if you don’t speak Thai and there is an intimidating language barrier. Pick rice noodles instead of egg noodles. If you’re not sure, then you should stick to rice instead. Eschew fried items such as tofu, and ask for them to the pan-seared or steamed instead. Although you might like soy sauce, it’s better if you use tamari, a substitute that isn’t brewed with wheat. Finally, find a restaurant that will accommodate your dietary needs. This is just as important here in America as it is when you are visiting Thailand.
Changing Your Diet
Modifying your diet can be challenging, especially if your gluten-free lifestyle is complicated by other health conditions that affect your appetite, weight, metabolism, and health, such as diabetes. Chow down on vegetables such as bell peppers, carrots, eggplant, and bamboo shoots. Eating more fiber will also help improve your gut health and blood sugar, so that’s why brown rice can be a better choice than white. Trying coconut milk over regular milk can be a bit of an adjustment, but it can be a healthy way to keep milk in your diet without it making you sick, especially if you are also lactose-free.
Get All Your Asian Groceries at Lotte Plaza Market
Lotte Plaza Market is your one-stop shop for all of your Korean and Asian grocery needs. With more than 10 locations in Maryland and Virginia, this growing market is always expanding and opening new markets to serve our customers better. Since we opened in 1976, our goal has always been to provide the best customer service and groceries to our customers. For answers to all of your questions, please email us at LottePlaza.com.