National Grain-Free Day Date in the current year: February 21, 2024

Grains are small, hard, dry fruit of certain plants that are harvested for human or animal consumption. The two main types of grains are cereal grains and grain legumes (pulses). Common cereal grains include barley, dried corn, millet, oats, rice, rye, sorghum, spelt, wheat, as well as pseudocereals such as amaranth, buckwheat, chia, and quinoa. Well-known pulses include beans, chickpeas, lentils, and peas.

Grains are staple foods and an essential part of a healthy diet for most people because they are a source of fiber, carbohydrates, protein, vitamins, and minerals. However, eating some or most grains is an absolute no-no for people with allergies, intolerance, and certain autoimmune diseases, for example, celiac disease. More often than not, they have to stick to a grain-free diet.

It should be noted that the word “grain” is used in the term “grain-free diet” in its narrow sense implying cereal grains; pulses and small amounts of pseudocereals like quinoa are usually permitted. Many people who follow a grain-free diet have to exclude not just grains but also products derived from them such as flour, bread, pasta, most baked goods and pastries, breakfast cereals, many snack foods, grain-based milk and meat alternatives, etc.

Following a grain-free diet because of dietary restrictions can be a challenge. It is important to monitor one’s calorie intake and blood sugar levels, as well as take dietary supplements to prevent deficiency of certain nutrients. People with celiac disease or severe allergies have to take precautions to avoid cross-contamination because even seemingly insignificant exposure to gluten may have severe consequences for their health.

People who cannot eat grains often feel left out during family gatherings because there usually are very few dishes they can safely eat, and munching on carrot or celery sticks while everyone else is enjoying their meal is no fun. This is why it so important that their families and friends take it upon themselves to learn about their dietary restrictions and make an effort to accommodate them.

National Grain-Free Day was launched in 2019 by Siete Family Foods, a Mexican-American food brand that specializes in healthy, nutritious and delicious products for people with various dietary restrictions. The purpose of the holiday isn’t to encourage everyone to ditch grains; as we’ve already said, they are an essential food category for most people. The main goal of National Grain-Free Day is to support people with dietary restrictions and encourage their loved ones to accommodate these restrictions.

The best way to celebrate National Grain-Free Day is to educate yourself about various health conditions that cause people to go grain-free and the nuances of a grain-free diet. You can learn about grain-free alternatives to popular grains and grain-based products (for example, almond flour and riced cauliflower), try new grain-free recipes, cook a grain-free meal for your family, and spread the word about the holiday with hashtags #NationalGrainFreeDay and #GrainFreeDay.