Easy Gluten-Free Root Beer Pulled Pork BBQ

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Recently, the hubby and I have been experimenting with a gluten free diet.  Of course, that means I have to try out new recipes with an eye to a more healthy approach.  With that in mind, I discovered that Dr. Pepper Snapple Group has come out with four different ten calorie products- 7UP, Sunkist, A&W and Canada Dry.  So I created my own version of Root Beer Pulled Pork BBQ– so simple that even I can make it!

So why gluten free?  Well, let me start this with the fact that I’m not a doctor, nor do I play one on TV, but sometimes it is helpful to consider that maybe some health issues might be related to what we eat.  Lately the hubby has had some major issues.  Being an avid reader, I happened across an article on gluten sensitivity that struck a chord.  You see it offered a list of symptoms that could mean intolerance to wheat:

• Stomach and Digestive Issues  including gas, bloating, queasiness, abdominal cramping, constipation, diarrhea, or Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
• Fibromyalgia: Muscular aches and pains.
• Headaches or Migraines
• Neurological issues: dizziness, weakness, tingling or numbness in extremities, difficulty balancing.
• Fatigue
• Chronic Irritability, mood shifts.

The hubby? Every single symptom! (Glancing over my shoulder) I hate to say it, but he’s been less than pleasant to live with lately.  Mood swings, irritability, absolutely no energy.  He comes home from work and sits down and goes to sleep most every day.  He complains of headaches, muscle aches, dizziness and most of all, Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

So, I showed him the article and we decided to do a little experiment.  He would go for two weeks gluten free and we would see if he felt better.  Of course, this meant that I needed to come up with some great tasting recipes.  After all, it’s a family thing.  One for all and all for one!  Let’s start with a yummy gluten free Root Beer Pulled Pork BBQ!

For this recipe I used:

• 5 lbs. pork shoulder roast
• 1 tsp. garlic powder
• 1 tsp. onion powder
• 2 tsp. paprika
• 3 cups A&W ten calorie Root Beer
• 2 cups gluten-free barbecue sauce

For this recipe, I used a slow cooker.  I trimmed most of the fat off the pork shoulder and placed it into the slow cooker.  I then added the garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika.

Measure out 3 cups of the A&W ten calorie Root Beer.

Pour the A&W Root Beer over top of the roast.

Set the crock pot on high and allow it to cook for about 6 hours.  Try to avoid lifting the lid and checking on it.  Seems that every time you lift the lid on a crock pot, you add as much as an hour to the cooking time!  Just be patient and soon your house is going to smell wonderful!

So, lets busy ourselves with a nice cool drink of A&W ten calorie Root Beer while we are waiting!  I have to tell you, it tastes just as good as the full calorie root beer!  The soda has FULL flavor but only has ten calories.  It is definitely a healthier option than a full calorie soda and you aren’t sacrificing taste!

You can find the DPSG ten calorie products- 7UP, Sunkist, A&W and Canada Dry at your local Walmart.

You know your BBQ is completely cooked when it literally falls apart when you stir it with a fork.  The bone came right out and all that is left is yummy, tender meat!  Drain the root beer mixture, then add the 2 cups of gluten-free BBQ sauce.

To maintain the gluten-free status, I served the Root Beer BBQ over a baked potato rather than bread.  I don’t even think the hubby noticed he didn’t have any bread.  He absolutely loved it!

The experiment?  Well, would you believe that after just one week, he noticed differences?  We have been gluten-free now for over a month and he now has regained much of his lost energy, most of his digestive issues are gone, and he is much more pleasant to be around!  We found some great pastas that are gluten-free, but are still working on finding a decent tasting bread.  But the sacrifice is totally worth it.  Try it for a week.  You might decide gluten-free is for you too!

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