Gluten Free Foods

Fit_Mama84
Fit_Mama84 Posts: 234 Member
in Food and Nutrition
Is anyone on here eating gluten free? If so, do you have any good gluten free foods or snacks that won't break the bank? I'd like to try eating gluten free, but am on a very tight budget. Ideas?

Replies

  • RobynLB
    RobynLB Posts: 617 Member
    Eat fruits, vegitables and lean protein. All normal food, all healthy, all cheap, all gluten free.
  • jesp1216
    jesp1216 Posts: 100
    I'm gluten free because I have an allergy to wheat. Gluten free bread is expensive and not worth buying. Going gluten free can be difficult and expensive, especially if your baking or like to eat pasta. I recommend lots of fresh fruits and veggies as well as rice. Gotta love rice! It's cheap and gluten free! lol
  • lallaloolly
    lallaloolly Posts: 228 Member
    FYI: If you are going to go gluten free and are on any medications, have your doctor check your dosages. Going totally gluten free will change the way your body is able to absorb nutrients into your blood stream (increase its ability), which means that it will also begin to absorb medications at a higher rate.
  • mainetechie
    mainetechie Posts: 6
    I eat no gluten. I eat paleo, and despite what you may have heard we eat mostly unprocessed foods (coconut oil and olive oil aside) with an emphasis on lots of vegetables and high quality meats, we also make it a point to avoid grains of any type not just because of gluten but also lecithin and other anti nutrients that seed crops use to defend themselves from being eaten.

    A quick google of paleo snack ideas will yield hundreds of snacks that will work for you.
  • eylia
    eylia Posts: 200 Member
    Gluten free in itself doesn't cost much. Fruit, vegetables, meat (un-altered/not marinated or crumbed), rice, and corn are all fine. Substitutes for pasta and such DO cost a little more, but they're becoming more and more common and available-most dishes you'd want pasta for also work with rice, and I'm a huge fan of rice vermicelli noodles-really easy and fast to cook, and versatile. PURE cornflour is good for sauces and gravies, just make sure it's pure-a lot are actually mixed with wheat. Most regular rice crackers in the normal isle of the super market are also GF-just check the label, but they're good for munchies/snacks/gatherings.
  • rm7161
    rm7161 Posts: 505
    Is anyone on here eating gluten free? If so, do you have any good gluten free foods or snacks that won't break the bank? I'd like to try eating gluten free, but am on a very tight budget. Ideas?

    Stick to naturally gluten free things.

    I have taken to making roasted chickpeas, and chickpeas are cheap... canned or dry. Though roasted ones are easier to make from canned, you can control the sodium better if you use dry beans and cook them first before roasting. A little spray oil is all you need, and whatever spices tickle the fancy. (I have taken to using chipotle powder, but you can use regular ol salt and pepper)

    http://www.howsweeteats.com/2012/10/exactly-how-i-roast-my-chickpeas/ has a nice guideline on how to do it.
  • lallaloolly
    lallaloolly Posts: 228 Member
    Also, I agree with an earlier poster, gluten free is expensive. I don't think I would choose it as a diet choice unless I was diagnosed with celiac, but if you aren't celiac, you can really reap the benefits of just cutting out as many processed foods, drinks and wheat products (bread, pasta, etc.) as possible.
  • lallaloolly
    lallaloolly Posts: 228 Member
    . A little spray oil is all you need, and whatever spices tickle the fancy. (I have taken to using chipotle powder, but you can use regular ol salt and pepper)

    raw spices are great, but check your seasonings! most spices labeled as "seasonings" or "natural flavors" have gluten in them.
  • rm7161
    rm7161 Posts: 505
    . A little spray oil is all you need, and whatever spices tickle the fancy. (I have taken to using chipotle powder, but you can use regular ol salt and pepper)

    raw spices are great, but check your seasonings! most spices labeled as "seasonings" or "natural flavors" have gluten in them.

    This is true, but the spices I use are gluten free. (they are purely one ingredient only) I have a collection of different types of ground peppers and can put together my own spice blends. (though this is probably not cheap, the chipotle powder sure isn't a cheap ingredient but it is worth it)
  • feeny
    feeny Posts: 110 Member
    Lara bars! they have all different flavors and are gluten free. You can get them at safeway. Probably trader joes and whole foods as well.
  • caribougal
    caribougal Posts: 865 Member
    I eat paleo too so gluten free. There are sooooo many great alternatives that don't require buying pricy GF-free stuff.

    For snacks I love:
    Berries
    Kale chips
    Toasted coconut flakes
    Flax crackers
    Dark chocolate
    Spicy spirulina sunflower seeds (bulk section health food stores)
    Sophia's Survival Jerky

    You may not eat paleo, but the "paleosphere" is awash in amazing GF-free recipes.
  • ShiloughCoy
    ShiloughCoy Posts: 73
    Things like rice flour are not new products; buy them in the asian food section at the local Food Maxx or Sak n Save instead of the fancy "alternative" stores like Whole Foods or Sprouts. Tip of the Day :)
  • rm7161
    rm7161 Posts: 505
    Things like rice flour are not new products; buy them in the asian food section at the local Food Maxx or Sak n Save instead of the fancy "alternative" stores like Whole Foods or Sprouts. Tip of the Day :)

    This also goes for the latin section, buy traditional mexican soft corn tortillas, way cheaper than bread and you can make your own chips out of them. (by baking them in the oven with a touch of spray oil, less calories too)

    A good GF brand is La Banderita.

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