Gluten Free Goodness From Warren

As far as dietary trends go, gluten-free doesn’t seem to be going anywhere anytime soon. It’s an industry that continues to grow, especially as more and more folks develop food sensitivities. Local companies that produce gluten-free products are popping up all over the place as well, like Enjoyful Foods based out of Warren’s Hope and Main food incubator.

On the cusp of her one-year anniversary, owner Sandra Giraldo explains that she started the company in response to her own health journey. She has food sensitivities along with fibromyalgia, hypoglycemia and IBS. “I’m a certified nutrition and health coach, and specialize in people with food sensitivities,” she says. “Looking for foods I could eat and recommend to my clients turned into a frustrating task. Market visits were unsuccessful because stores are packed with gluten-free foods that are loaded with sugar and lack nutrients.”

She realized that if she wanted a certain kind of food she would have to make it herself. This led her to experimenting in the kitchen to satisfy her craving for something very simple: oatmeal. Her clients and friends loved it, which propelled her into creating her Paleo Vegan Porridge that contains no grains, dairy, soy, nuts or oats. Instead, it has a plantain flour base that is sourced from a small company in New York that works with small farmers in Ecuador. In fact, all of her ingredients are sourced from small companies that are organic and GMO free.

Another must try item she developed is the Nut Free Paleo Pancake and Waffle Mix. “There’s nothing better than a Belgian waffle on a Sunday morning,” she says. It’s also made with a plantain base that is high in iron, potassium and magnesium. She also insists on trying her Cacao Drink to get your chocolate fix. It’s made with raw cacao that’s full of antioxidants and magnesium.

Be on the lookout for some new items she’s currently working on, including a new chocolate drink and flour. If it’s anything like what she’s already whipped up, it’s sure to be a slam-dunk. Find it at Tom’s Market in Warren and Black Pear in Barrington.