Darlen nd our expert today from Retrofitme.com. Well, she is here to talk about how you can have a gluten-free holiday. We'll be right back. All right, Corey. Thank you so much. Many consumers are choosing a gluten-free diet to manage specific health concerns or due to a diagnosis of Celiac Disease, which can create a big problem around holidays full of cookies, cakes, and pastries. So our good friend and expert, Lara Field, is here to help us kind of sort out this growing problem, and thank you so much. Lar hank you. Darlen ou're one of my favorite guests. Thanks for coming back. Lar ice to see you. Darlen o I've got to tell you everything on the table looks delicious. And sometimes when we think we're taking the flavor out, it doesn't always taste so good, but you're going to tell us how we can do this, and let's start off by talking about how come there seems to be so many people out there now that have to look for gluten-free meals. Lar ure. So many of my weight loss customers that I work with, patients that I work with, with Retrofit weight loss, they ask about gluten-free diets. Is it healthier? Is it a better way to lose weight? Well, the truth is that it is a specific diet helpful for those who have Celiac Disease, and Celiac Disease is an autoimmune disease that is a genetic inherited disease that is an inability to digest gluten. And gluten is wheat, rye, and barley proteins. Darlen kay, so what's the difference between Celiac and then there is non-Celiac gluten sensitivity? Lar o Celiac Disease again is an autoimmune disease. Non-Celiac gluten sensitivity, or some people call it gluten intolerance, is actually just an intolerance to gluten, so it's not genetic, it's not inherited, but it is, somehow, an ingestion of gluten makes people have symptoms. Darlen r is it just my imagination, but are we finding or hearing more of our friends out and about who complain or are looking for gluten-free items on the menu? Lar ight, right. So it's, so part of it is a growing emergence of Celiac Disease. More physicians are learning how to diagnose it so our diagnosis rates are increasing. But also it's, at times, a fad diet. So many celebrities have a following, and sometimes, they choose gluten-free, so many people are interested to see if it works. Darlen e want to jump in and taste some of your gluten-free meals that you've prepared because a lot of people are going to be going to holiday parties and they can do something like this. Lar always suggest bringing a meal with you. If you're on a gluten-free diet, it's really specific. Wheat, rye, and barley, you have to avoid. So choosing alternative grains, I brought some to look at. Quinoa, buckwheat, amaranth, these are some grains to choose. So I made an amaranth date nut cake that so on the holidays, a lot of... Darlen ..It's warm. Lar ..I just made it this morning. On the holidays, you want to bring a sweet treat with you, an alternative bread. So date nut cake is healthful. There's nuts and great fats in it. And what do you think? Darlen eally good. No, it's really good. It's really good. Lar t includes amaranth, which actually is a naturally gluten-free whole grain, high in iron, calcium, a wonderful source of nutrition. Quinoa, made a Mediterranean, tried to be festive, quinoa salad. You know, trying to include quinoa or brown rice or amaranth, these are high fiber whole grains. Many people that choose a gluten-free diet go to a refined carbohydrate, things with tapioca starch, potatoes, corn. Those are not such good choices. Darlen nd I love how you've done this again, where you're making it colorful, making it pleasant, making it pretty to look at. I did this the other day with my kids, looked at me like, "Are you kidding me?" Lar always say Darlene, that anything is better on a skewer. It makes it more fun. Working with weight loss clients, too, in the holidays, it's good to make sure the portions are under control so I think skewers make things more fun. Darlen nd this has got to... Lar raditional green bean casserole, which has cream of mushroom soup, which contains gluten actually. A lot of times, people don't realize, it's not just wheat, rye, and barley, but it's also ingredients that are included in things. So soups, sauces, casseroles, many times have hidden gluten. So I made this green bean casserole with... Darlen ..And you got this sliced almonds, I like that. Lar liced almonds, which are also a heart-healthy nut. And bringing a dish like one of these would be a great way to add to a party and make it a healthy gluten-free choice. Darlen lways good to see. And for everybody at home, your website so they know where to find these recipes? Lar ure. My website is feedkids.com, and for more information on weight loss, retrofitme.com. Darlen his is really good. Lar hank you, I'm glad you enjoyed it. Darlen hen we come back on this Tuesday, we will take a final look at the forecast, and we're going to continue our special series on the 12 Days of Giving with a look on a charity that is helping young women halfway around the world.