the best blt (vegan + gluten free)

the best blt (vegan + gluten free)

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Notes on Nutrition...

Growing up, my mom's go to easy lunch was a tomato sandwich on toasted bread with salt, pepper, and butter. I always thought it was a little odd, until years later when I discovered heirloom tomatoes. To honor my mother, I wanted to do a little sandwich one part her way and one part mine. Turns out, this is the best BLT I've ever had. 

Tempeh Bacon

In this BLT I've amped things up by using thick slices of my favorite tempeh bacon. Tip: My usual vegan bacon recipe calls for marinating for up to 2 hours, but you can do a quick marinade by skipping the water in the recipe, and tossing everything together and letting the flavors marry for just 15 minutes. Which makes this vegan BLT easy to whip up at short notice. 

Benefits Tempeh Bacon

Tempeh is fermented soy. If you work with me, you know I love talking about the importance of fermented foods for gut health, brain health, reducing inflammation, and healthy digestion. Bonus, tempeh has WAY MORE PROTEIN than pork bacon. YAY! 

Choose Your Bread Wisely

Finding a good gluten free and vegan bread can be nearly impossible. Sometimes I have to sacrifice the vegan for gluten-free and that is okay with me! Never feel guilty about having to eat something you normally wouldn't if it helps you create a healthier state for your body. Myself for example, prefers to eat mainly plant-based, but I also have celiac disease and eaten gluten filled wheat bread can wreak havoc on my body and cause some major inflammation that can take weeks to subside. So I'd much rather consume a whole grain bread that contains eggs, than wheat.  You've gotta pick your battles!

What to look for when picking out bread?

For those with a gluten sensitivity, opt for gluten-free bread that is heavy on nuts, seeds, and oats.  We want fiber, opt for 3gs or more. Then check for added sugars. We are looking for less than 2gs per slice. This is where it gets tricky, its often hard to get the bread to rise without sugar if you're not using eggs or dairy. Check your local farmers markets or allergy friendly bakeries. 

For those who can eat gluten, opt for a whole grain bread that is heavy on nuts, seeds, and whole grains.  We want fiber, opt for 3gs or more. Then check for added sugars. We are looking for less than 2gs per slice. The fresher, the better!

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