After eating gluten-free for many years, I’ve tried and tested SO many gluten free food options on the market. I thought I’d share my favorite, most convincing staple gluten free foods that everyone in your family will enjoy—whether they’re GF or not!
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Gluten Free Foods for Kids and Families
I’ve been gluten-free for over 6 years and let me tell you, finding the best store-bought basics can be a challenge. There are SO many options to choose from. I’ve compiled this list to help spare other families from endless testing and to save you money in the long run. All of these products are ones we use every week in our house and everyone in my family, even the ones who don’t need to eat gluten-free, happily eat these foods.
Best Gluten Free Pasta
Gluten-Free Barilla Pasta: Seriously, this pasta is so convincing and I have tried a lot of gluten-free pastas. I cook it for 1-2 minutes less than the package directions to ensure it stays al dente and so that any leftovers hold together well. This is our house pasta that we eat 1-2 times a week. (They also have new chickpea and lentil pastas that are pretty good, as well as high in protein and fiber.)
We occasionally also eat Banza pasta, which is made from chickpeas and is very high in fiber and iron. If you try this, definitely rinse it since that will help maintain the right texture, especially if you plan to have leftovers.
Best Gluten Free Pizza Dough
Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-Free Pizza Crust Mix: I found this crust about a year ago and it’s my go-to for pizza night. The directions for mixing are straight forward too. I mix the dough, divide it into 4 sections, and use one section at a time for individual pizzas for myself. I freeze the rest of the dough in individual freezer bags, then let them thaw and bake as directed.
Best Gluten Free Flour
King Arthur Measure for Measure Gluten-free Flour: This works as a direct sub for whole wheat or all-purpose flour in nearly every recipe and has amazing results!
We also rely heavily on buckwheat flour for waffles, pancakes, and muffins. It has a flavor and nutrition similar to whole-wheat flour and has a mild flavor.
Best Gluten Free Pretzels
Gluten-Free Snyders Pretzels: They taste just like the real thing and don’t cost a fortune. I can find them at most of our regular grocery stores and big box stores like Walmart and Target.
Best Gluten Free Bread
Udi’s GF Breads: These loaves of gluten-free bread can be pricey depending on which store you’re in, but they have the texture and flavor you expect from bread. I like it lightly toasted—if you like your toast crunchy, be sure to keep an eye on it since it goes from toasty .brown to burned really fast!.
I also like Canyon Bakehouse Ancient Grains Bread, which can be more affordable though it too can vary by store. I pay about $4 for it in our Walmart.
Best Gluten Free Cereal
Arrowhead Mills Buckwheat Flakes: This is my current favorite cereal that I may or may not share with the kids. It stays crunchy all the way to the end of the bowl and has a nice amount of protein and fiber.
Best Naturally Gluten Free Foods
In addition to those store-bought staples, these naturally gluten-free foods are the ones that make up the bases of our diet. It’s fun to focus on all of the foods that we can eat rather than what we can’t, regardless of the reasons for avoiding gluten. They are the kinds of foods that don’t have much of a label and if they do have one, it’s short and sweet. Obviously we eat some other processed foods, but these are the ones that are easier to rely on if you have a food intolerance or restriction that means you can’t eat gluten.
- Oats
- Rice
- Corn tortillas
- Certified gluten-free oats
- Quinoa
- Beans
- Vegetables
- Fruit
- Meat
- Fish
- Poultry
- Nuts and legumes
- Dairy
- Oils, fats, and coconut.
How do I tell if a food is gluten free?
When in doubt, look on the label. For extra reassurance, it will say “certified gluten-free” on the label. Otherwise, you’ll want to avoid ingredients including wheat, barley, rye, malt, brewer’s yeast, and oats that aren’t certified gluten-free. Also, regular soy sauce has wheat in it, so you’ll need to buy tamari instead—but no worries because it tastes exactly the same!
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