Gluten FreeGluten-Free Convenience that Tastes Great, too!

Thanks to increased awareness of Celiac Disease, an autoimmune disease due to an intolerance to gluten affecting about 1% of the U.S. population (around 3 million individuals), the food industry has jumped in to offer more products that are gluten-free than ever before. Food labeling laws also require food companies to indicate if the food product contains wheat (the primary source of gluten in the diet) and/or if it was processed in a facility that also processes wheat.

Gluten-free foods do not necessarily mean they are ‘good for you’ however, but simply that they do not contain wheat, rye, barley, any gluten-containing cousins of wheat, and are processed in a gluten-free facility. When looking for gluten-free foods, remember to exercise your good nutrition know-how in choosing foods that support your food sensitivities, intolerances, and preferences and your nutrition goals.

There are some stand-outs when it comes to gluten-free foods that offer good nutrition and great flavor, too. Here are a few great gluten-free brands from cereals to crackers to cookies and from breads and buns to energy bars that you can feel better about:

Mary’s Gone Crackers
Organic, gluten-free, nutritious, vegan and tasty. Mary, a real person and the founder of the company who happens to have Celiac Disease herself, introduced crackers, pretzel sticks cutely called Sticks & Twigs (I love the Curry flavor and I’ve heard good things about Chipotle Tomato), and most recently a line of cookies.

Gluten-free cookies too? They’re new and they’re still cookies, which means they’re a treat food, but boy are they delish! I’m told Mary’s Double Chocolate is the favorite, but I’m especially keen on the Ginger Snaps.

Udi’s
Bagels, buns, breads, and granola hardly sound gluten-free. And if you’ve ever tasted gluten-free bread, you’ve probably thought no such thing could actually exist and taste good, too. But Udi’s delivers on both. You don’t have to go bunless at the BBQ or forgo a grab-n-go sandwich. And I like that Udi’s also has a gluten-free pizza crust. Udi’s has a new tasty whole grain burger bun (6 grams of fiber!) for your burger or grilled portobellos! How much fun to have a make-your-own pizza party where every guest’s diet can be accommodated?

Erewhon GF Breakfast Cereals
When it comes to breakfast cereal, Erewhon is the big name in organic and gluten-free goodness. Crispy brown rice brings you back to childhood’s Snap, Krackle, Pop, but with an adult-makeover. Corn flakes, Strawberry Crisps and even some Cocoa Crispy Brown Rice for the sweet-tooths out there, if you’re missing the cold cereal for breakfast option in your morning routine, Erewhon GF (short for gluten-free) cereal is a great option.

NoGii No Gluten High Protein Bar
Find it impossible to find a gluten-free energy bar that is also high in protein? NoGii seeks to accomplish just that in tasty, crispy bars that taste like a sweet treat. Gluten-free, with no high fructose corn syrup or trans fats, Elizabeth Hasselbeck, co-host of ABC’s The View and author of The G-Free Diet, has used her celebrity presence to bring attention to others like her who live with (or whose kids live with) Celiac Disease. If chocolate and peanut butter are your go-to flavors, you’ll like these. NoGii High Protein Bar has 20 grams of protein (mostly soy protein), only 10 grams of total sugar (agave syrup) and a drizzle of chocolate on top for 230 calories. And the Kids Bars are like rice crispy treats, but nutritionally better. Not just for kids a good ‘on the go’ snack for women, too! A full 8 grams of protein, 2 grams of fiber and balanced carbs, protein and fat, this is more of a ‘treat-balanced-energy bar’ than a fruit-and-nuts kind of bar, but if you’re in the mood for a treat with some pluses, this is a good gluten-free option.

KIND Healthy Snacks
Kind bars are a great example of a gluten-free food that is simply great ingredients that happen to be gluten-free. A gluten-free diet is one that doesn’t contain wheat, rye, barley nor is processed in a facility with other gluten-containing ingredients. The Kind bars all of them are simply nuts and fruit. You can’t go wrong with that! I love the simple deliciousness of the Walnut & Date bar, high in fiber, heart-healthy omega-3s and a smart 170 energy-boosting calories. And their new flavor Pomegranate Blueberry Pistachio + Antioxidants well, the name says it all in antioxidant-flavorful-awesomeness.

While it’s never invited to be diagnosed with a disease, thankfully there are better ways to screen for the disease to minimize symptoms and discomfort and lots of great options in the marketplace to enjoy a gluten-free diet with ease. Good nutrition and great taste can go together in gluten-free… finally! Today is a new day when it comes to living gluten-free.

 

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