Eating Grains Makes Me Bloated, So Here Are 12 Recipes I Make When I'm Craving Them

Published on 1/31/2020 at 2:30 PM

POPSUGAR Photography | Jenny Sugar

Although a plant-based diet is all about encouraging eating an abundance of whole grains like oats, rice, and whole grain bread, when I eat too much of those foods — and not just processed carbs — I get terribly bloated, feel sluggish, and just don't feel like myself. Does this happen to you?! While I can have a little each day, sitting down to a huge bowl of rice and beans or oatmeal would make me feel crappy, so these are the grain-free recipes I make when I'm craving grains.

Cauliflower Porridge

While I'm obsessed with overnight oats and steel-cut oatmeal, my belly can only handle them in small doses. So when I'm craving dipping my spoon into something warm and cinnamony, I make this using cauliflower rice instead. It has the same soft, comforting texture, but without making my belly feel like there's a rock in it.

Get the recipe: cauliflower porridge

Paleo Carrot Pasta

Veggie noodles are a delicious, lighter alternative to pasta. I just grate big carrots to make this carrot fettuccine, and it always satisfies my cravings for spaghetti. I even prefer the sweeter flavor!

Get the recipe: Paleo carrot pasta

Gingerbread Chia Pudding

Chia pudding is a great alternative to oatmeal and there are so many different flavor combinations! I love chocolate protein chia pudding but I also love this warmer, gingerbread flavor.

Get the recipe: gingerbread chia pudding

Dry Roasted Edamame With Black Sesame Seeds

Instead of salty, crunchy chips or pretzels, I like to make a batch of roasted edamame or roasted chickpeas.

Get the recipe: roasted edamame

3-Ingredient Brownies

This simple dessert offers that fudgy texture and chocolaty flavor I crave from a brownie, but without any grains or sugar added.

Get the recipe: 3-ingredient brownie

Broccoli Slaw Stir-Fry

This recipe is perfect when I'm craving noodles; I just use gluten-free tamari.

Get the recipe: broccoli slaw stir-fry

Vegan, Grain-Free Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

I feel like a magician when I make these cookies because they have that soft cookie texture I crave, but are made without flour.

Get the recipe: pumpkin chocolate chip cookies

Dark Chocolate Salted Caramels

So many cookies and healthy bars are made with oats or other grains, but not these gems! They satisfy my chocolate cravings perfectly.

Get the recipe: dark chocolate salted caramels

Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Freezer Fudge

Cookie dough anyone? These bars are soft and delicious, and made with — gasp — lentils!

Get the recipe: cookie dough freezer fudge

No-Bake Brownies

Made with medjool dates, pecans, cocoa powder, and a few mini dairy-free chocolate chips, these satisfy my brownie cravings without having to turn on the oven. Try these no-bake brownies

Cauliflower Rice and Beans

Aside from avoiding belly bloat, cooking cauliflower rice instead of regular rice takes half the time!

Get the recipe: cauliflower rice and beans

Maple Cumin Lentils Over Spaghetti Squash

This vegan recipe satisfies my cravings for spaghetti and meat sauce.

Get the recipe: maple cumin lentils over spaghetti squash