This post is part of an editorial series, “Money Matters.”
The first time I heard the phrase “gluten-free” was on a morning show interview with Elizabeth Hasselbeck — this was way back when she was still a guest on daytime TV, not a hostess. She had just come back from her stint on the show Survivor and talked about how after months of eating a very primitive, gluten-free diet, she realized that THIS was the key to better health. What I heard was; “blah, blah, blah look at my rock hard abs (cue picture of a shirtless Elizabeth in the wilderness) blah, blah, blah you should all eat gluten-free and buy my cookbook.” Awesome! I could do that. I could go gluten-free for those abs! This would be a gluten-free piece of cake! But, it wasn’t, and I didn’t. I don’t exactly remember why — I probably got distracted by the next fad diet or a pizza, who knows?
Fast forward several years and my youngest son is now living with Celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder that over time causes intestinal damage when you eat gluten or wheat. His doctor confirmed the only “treatment” would be for him to adhere to a strict, gluten-free diet. There goes that phrase again. This time I had no choice but to educate myself on what it meant, how to follow it, and, most important, how to afford it.
Sometimes GF labels are not necessary.First of all I will never know everything that contains gluten or wheat, like never, EVER! But, I do know what does NOT: fresh fruits; vegetables; eggs; dairy; nuts; seeds; and any meat, fish, or poultry that has not been processed. Some grains, such as corn (I know right?! Yes, it is a grain, and it made the switch sometime after Pluto became a star and before Prince became a symbol), rice, oatmeal, and a few others are also gluten-free. So, when it comes to any of these items, as long as they are not processed, you don’t have to look for a gluten-free or GF label. In fact, it will only cost you more money.
ALDI offers big savings (especially in May).Now for the processed stuff. ALDI stores have a great selection of gluten-free products under the label “Live G Free.” Pricing is really competitive, so even if you don’t love the pasta (which I don’t care what the package says, rinse the pasta after boiling; trust me on this one), you won’t feel terribly guilty for tossing it away. Also, a little known fact: May is Celiac awareness month, and during that month, ALDI runs some great specials, so stock up on non-perishables and take advantage of specialty items like frozen gluten-free General Tso’s chicken and fried onions.
Bulk shopping can really pay off. It’s no secret that buying certain foods and snacks in bulk can save you money. The same rings true for gluten-free options. And Costco does not disappoint when it comes to gluten-free snacks and meals. Fruit cups, hummus, cheese sticks, Milton’s gluten-free crackers . . . those are just a few of the things we bulk-buy at Costco to help fill lunch boxes and hungry after-school tummies. But don’t skip the frozen and deli aisles. Its gluten-free chicken nuggets are a deal as is the Sugarhouse Maple sausage double pack! GF options are in abundance at Costco, and the savings can be too when you purchase in bulks.
Not everyone has to go completely gluten-free.Another reason it actually benefits my family to shop Costco’s gluten-free items in bulk is because we all enjoy them . . . but that doesn’t mean we all HAVE to enjoy them. Sure, I maysaymy whole family follows a gluten-free diet, but that’s only partially true. While I’m certainly not cooking two different meals for dinner — one gluten-free and one not — I’m not making everyone’s sandwiches on GF bread either; that would be incredibly expensive for a family of five. No, the rest of us still use regular bread, flour tortillas, and hot dog and hamburger buns made with wheat flour. I do however, make sure to always have the gluten-free comparable on hand for my son. (Freezing his favorite GF breads, buns, and tortillas makes that possible by stretching its lifespan and my dollar.)
Sprouts for the win! But wait, hear me out . . . .When it comes to the bulk of my “gluten-free” shopping, Sprouts definitely takes the (reusable) bag. They have the most variety and some of the tastiest treats — you’d never know they were gluten-free! Glutino’s salted caramel pretzels (I die!) are among our favorites, along with the donuts. Yes, donuts, they’re frozen and they’re fan-freakin-tastic! While Sprouts prices might not be the lowest, its return policy paired with its online coupon system makes it my favorite stop for gluten-free shopping. Don’t like the pie? Return it. Already ate two slices? Return it! And while you’re there be sure to grab a “Gluten-Free” magazine. It is loaded with coupons, and it never hurts to have a couple new recipes to throw into the rotation.
Whether by choice or medical necessity, following a gluten-free diet can be IS very costly . . . period. Ifyou have savings tips you’d like to share, leave them in the comments. And just in case you were wondering, since adopting a gluten-free lifestyle (you know, in solidarity with my son), I’m sad to report that I do NOT have Elizabeth Hasselbeck’s abs, but happy that my son and my wallet are adjusting well to our new way of life.
The Fort WorthMoms Blog hosts 20Neighbor Groupsvia Facebook,including theFort Worth Food AllergyMoms. These groups are free to join and offer online and offline opportunities to build relationships and gain resources from other moms in the area.
FAQs
Make a cheap gluten-free meal easily with recipes that rely on affordable ingredients like potatoes, vegetables and chicken to create a delicious, well-rounded meal. To mimic the starchy quality found in gluten, we turn vegetables into rice and pasta for a filling dinner.
How to go gluten-free without going broke? ›
Tips for Affording Gluten-Free Foods
- Beans, rice, fruits, vegetables (including potatoes), and eggs are all naturally gluten-free. ...
- When seasonal produce is in large supply, it will be less expensive than other times of the year.
- Extra tip: buy frozen veggies, which don't spoil as quickly.
You can flush gluten out of your system quickly by:
- Drinking more water;
- Eating alkaline foods;
- Consuming fiber-rich foods;
- Exercising after eating;
- Taking digestive enzymes;
- Consuming many anti-inflammatory foods, such as apples, broccoli, mushrooms, and spinach.
Avoid all foods and drinks containing the following:
- Wheat.
- Barley.
- Rye.
- Triticale — a cross between wheat and rye.
- Oats, in some cases.
Make a cheap gluten-free meal easily with recipes that rely on affordable ingredients like potatoes, vegetables and chicken to create a delicious, well-rounded meal. To mimic the starchy quality found in gluten, we turn vegetables into rice and pasta for a filling dinner.
Is peanut butter gluten-free? ›
In its natural form, both peanuts and peanut butter are gluten-free. Many store-bought brands of peanut butter are also gluten-free, with gluten-containing peanut butter tending to be the exception rather than the rule.
Is oatmeal gluten-free? ›
Yes, pure, uncontaminated oats are gluten-free. The U. S. Food and Drug Administration considers oats a gluten-free grain under its gluten-free labeling regulations and only requires that packaged products with oats as an ingredient contain less than 20 parts per million of gluten overall.
How do you get rid of a gluten belly? ›
Eat simple, light meals to avoid irritating your stomach further such as soups, gluten free toast and smoothies. Nourish your insides with probiotic and prebiotic foods and supplements to help your intestines recover. Ultimately, you have to ride out the “glutening” with rest.
What does a gluten face look like? ›
A typical gluten face will present with red, puffy cheeks, with spots of hyperpigmentation around the chin. Some people will also have pimples spread out over the chin. Your face can also become bloated or swollen.
How long does it take to fully detox from gluten? ›
Gluten stays in your system for one to two days. After that, any undigested gluten that remains in your body is excreted along with other waste products. That doesn't necessarily mean that you will feel 100% better once that happens, though.
In general, avoid the following foods if you have celiac disease: Cereals, breads, or other grain products that include wheat, rye, barley, or oats. This includes white or whole-wheat flour (including cookies, crackers, cakes, and most other baked goods), semolina, couscous, bread crumbs, most pastas, and malt.
What happens to your stomach when you stop eating gluten? ›
Some people report feeling dizziness, nausea, extreme hunger and even anxiety and depression when they suddenly go from eating a lot of gluten to being gluten-free. These symptoms usually go away after a few weeks on a gluten-free diet, but talk to your health care provider if they persist.
What are some gluten-free snacks? ›
Fruits and vegetables are the ultimate gluten-free snack as they provide great nutrition and flavor. None are off-limits, so keep serving them to kiddos! Popcorn (and corn in general) is totally gluten-free and always a fun snack choice.
How to go 100% gluten-free? ›
Choose naturally gluten-free grains and flours, including rice, corn, soy, potato, tapioca, sorghum, quinoa, millet, buckwheat, cassava, coconut, arrowroot, amaranth, teff, flax, chia, yucca, bean flours, and nut flours.
Is there a downside to going gluten-free? ›
Long-Term Cardiovascular Risks of Gluten Free Diets
Hyperglycemia and an increase in insulin resistance and obesity has been reported as well. These diets are also not recommended for a pregnant woman.
What is the cheapest store for gluten-free food? ›
Morrisons. Morrisons really have established themselves this year as the only supermarket offering massive savings for gluten free customers. They have been running their bargain prices on their own brand range for months now. They also occasionally add new products to the promotion.
Why is it so hard to go gluten-free? ›
Completely avoiding gluten can be challenging, as it's found in many common foods and beverages. The best way to completely avoid it is to eat whole, single-ingredient foods or carefully check the ingredient labeling of food products.
How do I begin to be gluten-free? ›
There are many naturally gluten-free foods you can still enjoy that happen to be delicious and healthy! Focus on shopping the perimeter of your grocery store: vegetables, fruits, fish, poultry, meats, and dairy products are good places to start.
How long after going gluten-free will I notice a difference? ›
The good news is you may experience relief from symptoms within a few days of removing gluten from your diet. The real question, however, is how long it takes your body to heal. Most celiac disease patients experience some degree of relief from symptoms within a few days of completely removing gluten from their diet.
Do you become more sensitive to gluten after going gluten-free? ›
Unfortunately, it's normal for your reactions to gluten—even a tiny bit of it—to get worse once you've gone gluten-free. You'll need to guard against gluten cross-contamination at all times. That may be difficult at first.
Fast forward several years and my youngest son is now living with Celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder that over time causes intestinal damage when you eat gluten or wheat. His doctor confirmed the only “treatment” would be for him to adhere to a strict, gluten-free diet. There goes that phrase again. This time I had no choice but to educate myself on what it meant, how to follow it, and, most important, how to afford it.
Not everyone has to go completely gluten-free.Another reason it actually benefits my family to shop Costco’s gluten-free items in bulk is because we all enjoy them . . . but that doesn’t mean we all HAVE to enjoy them. Sure, I maysaymy whole family follows a gluten-free diet, but that’s only partially true. While I’m certainly not cooking two different meals for dinner — one gluten-free and one not — I’m not making everyone’s sandwiches on GF bread either; that would be incredibly expensive for a family of five. No, the rest of us still use regular bread, flour tortillas, and hot dog and hamburger buns made with wheat flour. I do however, make sure to always have the gluten-free comparable on hand for my son. (Freezing his favorite GF breads, buns, and tortillas makes that possible by stretching its lifespan and my dollar.)