A week ago I met a woman with a full shopping cart outside of Target. She had just learned her daughter and herself had Celiac disease. Although she had a full cart, she was very confused about shopping for gluten free. I do not have Celiac disease, but made the change to mostly gluten free to alleviate a family member's severe stomach pain. I remember my first confusing shopping trip to buy gluten free products.
Over the years, I have learned more about gluten free shopping. Most importantly, no one store is going to have everything you want. Especially if you shop for lower prices, visiting multiple stores is necessary. Secondly, the gluten free selections are getting larger and better all the time.
1 - Gluten free pasta
WalMart has a great gluten free section. Go to the pasta aisle to find very inexpensive Heartland spaghetti and macaronis.
2 - Crackers and Brownie/Cake Mixes
Aldi has inexpensive crackers and boxed mixes. Lowes Foods, Target, and Food Lion mark down their gluten free (Nabisco and Blue Diamond) crackers from time to time and I stock up.
3 - Bread
Glutino makes good gluten free bread. Some Food Lion stores carry this at lower prices than most other stores.
4 - Cereal
General Mills is to be commended for making a gluten free product for sale at regular cereal prices. Chex cereal has many flavors, they go on sale, and there are coupons - terrific!
5 - Snack Foods
Frito-Lay makes gluten free chips like Lay's Wavy chips and Tostitos Tortilla chips. Nature's Path makes delicious gluten free granola bars. My Target stopped carrying it so I ordered it online as described here. Some WalMarts have it.
Many of the above products have been reviewed on this blog. Check your local stores for gluten free products. Get familiar with pricing. Some of my favorites have been discontinued at stores, and I had to find other retailers or order online. If you really like something, buy in quantities. Good luck with your gluten free quest!
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