You have just been told that you have Celiac or gluten sensitivity and you are unsure what to do. I felt this way when I started but with the knowledge in this post, you can take the first steps in changing your diet to become a better and healthier YOU! I tend to call the new lifestyle you will begin “gluten-free living” because the whole idea of the word “diet” makes me think of restriction, restriction, restriction! I don’t want this to become a “diet” for you, I want this to be a “lifestyle” that is easy to maintain!
Cutting out gluten does not mean an end to delicious and exciting meals. It is only the beginning to a lifestyle of feeling good AND enjoying what you eat! One of the reasons that I have grown to love going gluten-free is that not being able to have the wheat I used to has opened my eyes to enjoying REAL foods even more than I ever did before. Please note that it is not that hard and can make an amazinggggg difference in the way you feel. If you are not feeling well and it is unexplained, I urge you to try cutting out gluten because there are so many ailments out there that are linked to gluten sensitivity. Someone might say their stomach hurts and the next person might say they have migraines but both can be symptoms of gluten sensitivity.
Below I have compiled a list of naturally gluten-free items and also some of my favorite gluten-free brands and different products they have to offer! 🙂
Alyssa's Comprehensive Gluten-free Food List
2016-04-13 19:19:32
Gluten-free Starch/flours
- Almond flour
- Amaranth
- Arrowroot flour
- Beans
- Cassava flour
- Cashew meal
- Chickpea flour
- Coconut flour
- Corn flour
- Corn grits
- Cornmeal
- Cornstarch
- Flax (seeds or meal)
- Legumes
- Millet
- Nuts
- Oats and oat flour (only when specified gluten-free)
- Popcorn
- Potatos
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Rice flour
- Sourghum
- Soy (NOT soy sauce)
- Tapioca
- Yam
- Yucca
- *Bob's Red Mill has such an awesome display of gluten-free flours, pizza crusts, and more. It is one of my favorite brands.
Naturally gluten-free foods
Dairy
- Cheese (unprocessed)
- Ice Cream (not cookie dough, cookies n cream, or anything that has cookie/brownie in it)
- Milk - coconut milk, almond milk, soy milk
- Half & Half
- Whipping cream
- Yogurt (read labels of yogurt with fruit or additives)
- Butter/ghee -add Kerrygold to your list -delicious grass-fed butter!
- Margerine
- Cottage cheese
- Cream cheese
- Sour cream
- Eggs
Produce
- Fruits
- Vegetables
- Herbs
- (all of these fresh or frozen are naturally gluten-free)
Beverages
- Alcohol - champagne, wine and other distilled alcohol is gluten-free
- Beer (gluten-free only)
- Gatorade
- Coffee (check label on flavored coffee as some is flavored with malt which contains gluten)
- Tea
- Juice
- Soda
Protein
- Unprocessed meats, poultry & fish
- Hummus
- Legumes
- Tofu
- Seeds
- Nut butters
- Quinoa
- Canned meat - Most all meats, fruit, olives and vegetable are safe but if they are in any sauce, check the label to make sure it is ok!
- Soup - you must check the label on this one!
Condiments
- Jams/Jellies/Marmalade
- Nuts
- Ketchup
- Coconut aminos
- Tamari Sauce - this is GF soy sauce
- Mayonnaise
- Marinara Sauce (I have never seen an issue with this one but to be sure make sure to read the label!)
- Vinegar
- Vegetable broth - check chicken broth's as many are not GF
- Spices (McCormick makes a gluten-free taco seasoning. MOST other are not gluten-free! I usually make my own here :))
Baking Items
- Baking soda - I use Bob's Red Mill GF
- Baking powder - I use Bob's Red Mill GF
- raw cocoa powder
Sweeteners
- Honey
- Maple syrup
- Coconut sugar
Oils
- Vegetable
- Canola
- Sesame
- Flax seed
- Coconut
- Olive oil
- Cooking Spray (Trader Joe's and PAM are GF - check label otherwise)
Cereals
- Oatmeal - Trader Joe's Gluten-Free Oats are my go-to
- Cheerios - check for the GF label!
- Arrowhead Mills - makes a lot of gluten-free options
- Chex Mix
- Kellogg's Gluten-free Special K
- Van's - makes a lot of gluten-free cereals
- Natures Path Organic – now makes gluten-free cereal options
Here are some of my favorites!
- Bread - Trader Joe's gluten-free bread - you can find GF bread at any supermarket although this is my favorite.
- Garden of Eatin' - their tortilla chips and taco shells are the absolute best!
- Mission corn tortillas
- Udi's granola - my go-to when I am search for a gluten-free granola
- Conte's Ravioli - my favorite treat on our Italian holidays!
- Amy's frozen meals and soups (only those labeled gluten-free)
- Dr. Praeger's Burgers
- Pizza - Trader Joe's gluten-free pizza or Bob's Red Mill Pizza Crust are my favorites!
- Bell & Evans gluten-free chicken cutlets / chicken nuggets
Alyssa Grieco http://alyssagrieco.com/
Some points to remember when you are out grocery shopping:
1. Read all labels.
2. Wheat-free does not mean gluten-free.
3. Salad bars and other items in bulk bins cannot be guaranteed gluten-free due to possible cross-contamination issues.
4. If it does not say gluten-free and you are questionable about it, skip it!! 🙂
I find that when I walk through the aisles of my local stores, I see gluten-free labeled items everywhere! The thing we must be careful of is additives in things you would think are gluten-free. These days, SOOO many brands have come out with gluten-free items so while I try to make my own gluten-free foods, if I want something in particular, there ARE tons of options out there making it very easy!
I just wanted to mention to sign up for my email list in the right hand column of my page to get on my mailing list for emails on nutrition & fitness!! Anyway, that’s all I have for today! Hope you all have a fabulous rest of the week!