New to GF?

When I first became gluten free, I didn’t really know how to react or respond. None of my family had had to deal with it. We were all new to it. The main thing was finding good brands/foods. I know I must have tried quite a few breads before I discovered Udis, for example. So I’m posting a list of my favorite brands, in hopes that it will make the lives of those who are gluten free easier. My main brands are: Udis, Glutino, Bob’s Red Mill, Pamela’s, Amy’s, My Gluten Free Cafe, and Tinkyada.

Specifics:

  • Baking Aids
    • Baking Powder, Great Value
    • Baking Soda, Great Value
  • Baking Flour – Bob’s Red Mill, Pamela’s
    • Bob’s brown rice flour
    • Bob’s tapioca flour (a.k.a. tapioca starch)
    • Bob’s Cornmeal
    • Pamela’s pancake and baking mix
  • Bread – Udi’s
    • Bread, bagels, buns, pizza crusts
  • Cake – Betty Crocker yellow/chocolate cake
  • Cereal – rice chex (also use for BREAD crumbs)
  • Cornstarch – Argo
  • Crackers – Popcorn chips, nut thins, sea salt chips, Lays Stax
  • Frozen meals – Amy’s, Glutino, My Gluten Free Cafe
  • Hot Dogs – Oscar Mayer turkey franks
  • Mac n’ cheese – Annie’s (box), Amy’s (frozen)
  • Meatballs – Farm Rich (Turkey)
  • Nuts – almonds, pine nuts
  • Pancake mix – Arrowhead Mills, Pamela’s
  • Pizza –Glutino, Amy’s, Udi’s (crust)
  • Pretzels – Glutino
  • Soup – My Gluten Free Cafe, Progresso, Thai Kitchen
  • Spagetti/pasta – Tinkyada (all kinds), Schar, DeBoles
  • Spices – dizzy pig, homemade mixture (basil, oregano, dill)
  • Tortillas – La Tortilla Factory, Mission corn tortilla
  • Xanthan gum – Bob’s Red Mill

These are just some of the things I use, but I recommend and encourage you to finds brands and foods you LOVE and ENJOY. Being gluten free or having celiacs does not have to be a pain or hindrance. Let it be an adventure. Let it open a door to a new world of food and cooking and experiences. Let it propel you forward in life.

Finding foods to eat is great, but you also have to look at for those that can harm you. If you’re chosing to go gluten free, or if it is an allergy, you may be able to indulge in a little bit of gluten every once in a while. But for those like me with celiacs, it is much more serious. I have an ongoing list of foods that are BAD.

Things WITH gluten:

  • Barley
  • bran
  • bulgar
  • oats
  • rye
  • Soy sauce
  • Wheat
  • MSG (monosodium glutamate)
  • Malt/malt flavoring (unless from corn)/malt vinegar
  • Starches (unless from corn/rice)

Now I might as well include a general list of foods with NO gluten

  • Rice
  • Corn
  • Potatoes
  • Soybeans
  • Tapioca
  • Arrowroot
  • Carob
  • Buckwheat
  • Millet
  • Amaranth
  • Flax (seed)
  • Quinoa
  • Fresh fruit/veggies
  • Cheese, milk
  • Nuts, pb
  • Whey (this is a milk protein)

These lists are not complete; they are merely a sampling of DOs and DON’Ts in a gluten free diet. Even with foods that should be safe, you should check the ingredients to be sure.

Now that we’ve been through the food-eating part, let me share some more gluten free-related discoveries of mine: restaurants. It’s great being able to find gluten free food service close or somewhat close by. And even though I very rarely eat fast food, it is nice to know that there are popular chains that can accomodate those who are gluten free. So here are some gluten free friendly places I’ve been that are quite satisfactory…

  • Garnett’s Café (GF bread and cake)
  • Belvidere (GFO)
  • Cheese Roll Bakeshop (all GF-use Tapioca flour)
  • Bottoms Up Pizza (GF pizza option)
  • Mosaic (my personal favorite: salmon and cheese grits, no mayo)
  • Chick-fil-a (GF options – grill chicken instead of fry)
  • Chipotle

Some other places I’ve heard of that are either too far away from me or I just haven’t been able to go include: Giovanni’s (GF pizza/pasta), 3 Fellers Bakery (all GF), Stuzzi’s (GF pizza/pasta), and Frank’s Ristorante (GF pizza/pasta). I really hope to try some of these in the future!

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