Stephanie Wilkes loved food long before she started her food blog and Instagram account, @DCGlutenFree. It wasn’t until after discovering that she has Celiac Disease in 2015 that she started digging around Washington for the best gluten-free food that would be safe for her to consume. The discovery of her condition also prompted her to think differently about how she chose her food: Rather than just focusing on how many calories a dish has, Wilkes emphasizes foods that promote good gut health.
“When I found out I had Celiac Disease in 2015, I had to make a shift in how I was eating,” says Wilkes. “The focus went toward foods that support digestive health and prevent inflammation in the body.”
To see what kind of gluten-free foods Wilkes eats on a typical day, take a look through her food diary below.
Breakfast
“Since I find that I’m not very hungry in the early morning, I make sure the small meal that I eat is jam packed with healthy stuff: probiotics, protein, antioxidants, etc.,” says Wilkes.
Morning Snack
“I am a big fan of hanger prevention. Nuts and seeds are my go-to for keeping me from getting to that place,” says Wilkes. “I always measure out my serving, though. If I don’t, I will inevitably over-do it. Turmeric is something I rely on everyday as a way to prevent inflammation in the body. This turmeric milk is a delicious, sweet treat (by the way, I find that the golden milks I try to DIY never taste as good as this one), but if I’m not having it in drink form, I take it in a capsule.”
Lunch
“I have recently fallen in love with this local delivery service called Vegetable and Butcher. As much as I love cooking, I don’t always have time. I feel good about eating healthy food with really well sourced ingredients, like this brown rice bowl with veggies, avocado, and tahini dressing.”
Afternoon Snack
“I crave sweets in the afternoon. I find that if I deny myself a little afternoon treat, all bets are off later on,” says Wilkes. “I do my best to fit in some nutrition when I go for that sugar, though. Ginger is great for your digestive system and dark chocolate is officially healthy, so I have to fit a little in every day.”
Dinner
“Since I run an Instagram account about gluten free food, I find myself eating out a lot. For me, dinner usually happens at a place that I am checking out for @DCglutenfree,” says Wilkes. “I make a big effort to eat healthy in the early part of my day to counter balance my restaurant visits. Here, I went for fish tacos.”
Have a Food Diary you’d like to share? Email ccunningham@washingtonian.com.
Consult with your doctor before beginning a new diet. Washingtonian does not endorse any diet without the supervision of a medical professional.
Caroline Cunningham joined Washingtonian in 2014 after moving to the DC area from Cincinnati, where she interned and freelanced for Cincinnati Magazine and worked in content marketing. She currently resides in College Park.
