1st time GF grocery shopping.

chauncyrenayCHANGED

It was not a complete disaster, but it was extremely disheartening.

I went to Trader Joe's thinking it would be at least a little easy. It wasn't!

I managed to leave the store with $40 worth of groceries, but I think I need some help.

What are some tips for a GF newbie? I just started GF eating on Sunday.

Any suggestions are welcome.

Thanks so much.

Oh, and since I have your attention. I'm going to Vegas this weekend. Help me!!!

You all are great. I look forward to your responses.

SyntonicGarden

Hi! Yeah, that first trip to the store can certainly be disheartening, to say the least. I've been doing the no-wheat thing since the 90's, so I feel your pain. I've learned a few things or two since then. Here's what I've got.

1) An official diagnosis from a doctor is important if you haven't already had one. Figure out if you're truly gluten-free or if you have a wheat sensitivity. It's possible to never test positive for Celiac but to have similar symptoms. Knowing what you can and can't eat is a HUGE help. The diets are very similar, but one is more restrictive than the other.

This might help explain what I'm talking about: http://americanceliac.org/celiac-disease/

I also just learned this: http://www.celiaccentral.org/shopping/Tax-Deduction-Guide/421/


2) Trader Joe's has a list of what's gluten-free: http://www.traderjoes.com/lists/no-gluten.asp

3) Do some research and see what other "normal" brands of food also make gf foods. Don't get suckered into thinking that you have to buy overpriced food items. While I don't recommend eating nothing but Old Bay, Fritos and salsa, these links illustrate that you don't have to completely live in the health food store.

http://www.hormelfoods.com/brands/glutenfree/default.aspx
http://www.fritolay.com/your-health/us-products-not-containing-gluten-ingredients.html
http://www.glutenfreeindy.com/foodlists/index.htm#donothidegluten


4) Sometimes it's easier, as Stephen Covey says, to "begin with the end in mind." Rather than go into the store and look for stuff to make, begin with a meal in mind. Find some recipes that don't look too weird or too hard, and start from there. There are a bunch of great websites with wonderful recipes. Start with the stuff that looks like GF variations of the stuff you're already familiar with. It'll make this change less foreign, especially if you have other people to feed in your home.

5) Unless you're already eating them, don't buy large amounts of all of the stuff that may sound weird or unfamiliar (millet, quinoa...) right away, unless you have some good recipes. Ease these foods into your diet. It'll be less frustrating and less expensive.

6) Check your regular supermarkets and comparison shop as far as prices go. You'd be surprised.

7) Don't forget to read your labels and to know how to interpret them. Whole wheat, enriched white flour, and all-purpose flour seem to be in everything, from regular soy sauce to Twizzlers. Become familiar with other words for what you're reacting to and look for them on the label. Some stuff sneaks in there (malt, for example), so again, know your enemy.

8) Try not to get frustrated. There are going to be people who don't understand and will try really really hard to be helpful. "I know you said you can't eat wheat. This doesn't say that it has wheat in it. It just says 'enriched flour' so it should be ok, right?" or my favorite "I bought it because it said 'whole wheat' so I figured you could eat it." Gently try to explain and remember that these people love you and don't fully understand what your new eating habits really entail.


If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to send me a private message, as I don't always remember to check the boards.

karenwill2

Health food stores are it for me. I use the smaller grocery stores for La Choy soy sauce. Watch out for modified food starches. Those will make me ill every time so I invested in the internet for my phone so I can google on the go.

SyntonicGarden

I can't find the La Choy by me. I use the San-J Wheat-Free Tamari, which is quite yummy.

er1nya

I experienced my first GF shopping on Monday at Trader Joes! I feel your pain. I ended up getting quinoia, polenta and fresh vegetables. I wasn't ready to venture into the GF bread or pasta.

That night I cut the Butternut Squash I got in half and seasoned it with cinnamon, nutmeg and canye pepper with a little bit of EVOO. I roasted it at 400 degrees for 35 mins. While that was roasting I made the quinoia according to the package directions. Then I took out the squash and scooped it into the quinioa and also added spinach and flax seeds. it was really tasty!!

Thanks for your advice, Syntonic! It's very helpful.

RmIIImc70

Hi,
I use an app on my android and my husband has it on his iphone. It is called scan avert and when shopping I scan barcodes. It will tell me if the item is compatible with my gf diet. It can be set up to scan for other allergens as well. It works on major brands of food and OTC drugs.

For travel, I look at the gluten free registry online and enter the place I am going. You will see a list of restaurants. I think there is another app for phones called find me gluten free.

Good Luck.

ilookthetype

Hit up the outer ring of the grocery store. Produce, meat, and dairy. Do research during the week so you have a detailed list of what you need and what brand you need. I never had huge luck at TJ's. Although, they have really great GF cheesy churl things and fake Doritos. I loved them. Also, Daura beer is naturally GF. SUPER delicious.

acesigma

I got my celiac diagnosis November 7 2005, well before "gluten-free" was a catchphrase. I cried the first time I went into Stop n Shop because I suddenly couldn't eat most of what I was used to and everything had gluten in it. My how far things have come since then, I just had a bowl of gluten-free Rice Krispies for breakfast! There are brands of Chex also that are gluten-free (for breakfast). Bob's Red Mill makes a MIghty Tasty gluten-free hot cereal that can also be made into muffins for on-the-go munching.

Everyone here has given some great tips, particularly the meal-planning advice. I learned how to cook very quickly after my diagnosis. Dinners became fairly standard - a meat, a vegetable, and a gluten-free starch: rice, potatoes, quinoa, buckwheat, etc. Gluten-free pasta made me so happy when I found out that existed (hint: Tinkyada is great but cook it about 5 minutes less than the package suggests so it doesn't turn to mush). Part of the reason I joined MFP is because I gained a pile of weight after my diagnosis because I found all this food (and gluten-free beer/cider!) I could eat

The most popular gift I get are gluten-free cookbooks so before you invest in any feel free to ask me (as I've probably seen/read/owned them). I HIGHLY recommend anything by Bette Hagman, the "Gluten-Free Gourmet". She has dozens of bread recipes (breadmaker and by hand) and I have yet to try one that was bad. She has lots of other tips for making gluten-free condiments and meals (hello, Kraft Mac n Cheese mix) to replace gluten-filled crap in the store. Her "Fast and Healthy" and "Revised" books are falling apart from wear in my kitchen.

Hope this helps and best of luck to you.

16mixingbowls

I would focus on eating things that are NATURALLY gluten free. Like iLookTheType said, stick to veggies, meat, dairy...... leave out the processed junk. There are LOTS of things that don't have gluten in them:
rice
potatoes
every single raw vegetable
beans
every single raw fruit
cottage cheese
yogurt
cheese
brown rice cakes (check first, flavored ones are Gfull)
honey
pure maple syrup
plain spices (don't get premixed)
all raw or roasted nuts (not flavored!!!)
most Thai sauces
rice noodles
most Mexican sauces
corn tortillas
most Italian sauces


It will get easier, but I've been GF for 6 years and STILL F*@K UP and eat gluten! (But it's getting less often thank God.)

summerbert

I have had a lot of luck finding gluten free foods off of amazon.com. I use the subscribe and save option. That way they send it whenever I want it and I get an extra 15% off.

akaMrsmojo

I shop at regular stores like Kroger. Udi's has the best GF bread. I never go to special stores anymore, I just learned how to buy regular things that I could eat. Regular meats, steaks, chicken, and lots and lots of tacos. I prepare everything myself so I know where it has been.

I always keep my own seperate butter in the fridge.

The GF noodles are horrible, just try the Thai rice noodles, they are much cheaper and taste better.

Bisquick has a great GF pancake mix. The big companies are starting to jump on the bandwagon.

Chex, Cocoa Pebbles, and now Rice Crispies(brown rice), are all gluten free. Even hamburger helper has gluten free options.

The reality is I would love to eat organic and shop at places like Trader Joe's but I can't afford it. There are options, you just got to look around.

If you are eating out in Vegas, talk to the people server, they usually can help guide you on the menu.