Finding gluten free ingredients

[lmemsm]

Seems like when I find a gluten free product I like, the producer stops manufacturing it and then I have trouble finding a new gluten free source for it.  What's worse, I've been contacting companies to ask if their products are gluten free and they don't even bother to respond.  So, it's making it very hard to find safe replacements.  I was buying teff flour at nuts.com and they no longer carry it.  I noticed Naturevibe has teff and soy flour.  However, I can't get a response as to whether their flours are safe for someone with celiac.  Can't get a response from Aldi if their peas are safe for someone with celiac either.  I know Bob's Red Mill has teff flour but was hoping to get a large quantity.  I've been using up the 20 ounce Bob's Red Mill teff flour too quickly.  Does anyone know of a good source for teff or soy flour?  Any recommendations where to get gluten free beans, peas or lentils?  I found some packages of gluten free beans at Sprouts but not much variety.  I've also been looking for lentil elbow macaroni and it seems like no one is making that now that Tolerant was bought out.  Any suggestions for safe sources for these types of ingredients.  Thanks.

[Scott Adams]

I completely understand the frustration of finding reliable gluten-free ingredients—it's exhausting when trusted products disappear or companies don't respond to safety inquiries. For teff flour in bulk, check out Azure Standard or Bulk Foods; both often carry gluten-free grains in larger quantities and clearly label dedicated facilities.

For soy flour, Anthony's Goods tests for gluten and offers bulk options, though always verify their current certifications. For beans, peas, and lentils, Palouse Brand is a great choice—they're GFCO-certified and transparent about their farming practices.

As for lentil elbow macaroni, Explore Cuisine offers similar pastas, though cross-contact policies vary.

When companies don't respond, I lean on third-party certifications (GFCO, NSF) or stick with brands like Jovial or Edward & Sons that prioritize allergen safety. It's a constant hunt, but hopefully these leads help!

Have you tried local co-ops or ethnic markets for teff? Sometimes they stock bulk African or Indian brands with clear labeling.

[dmallbee]

I was diagnosed at 18 months old with celiac and lived without wheat, rye, oats, and barley as instructed by my doctor, Dr. Katz at Boston Children's Hospital in the 60's and 70's. I don't agree nor recommend doctors removing oats from restriction, certified gluten-free or not.  I have eaten certified gluten free oats and have had the usual reactions to gluten.  Please reconsider this with newly diagnosed patients. 

[trents]

@dmallbee, about 8% of celiacs react to the oat protein avenin like they do to the wheat protein gluten. In addition, there are some cultivars of oats that apparently do actually contain gluten.

[dmallbee]

As a life.long celiac, I understand this.  I simply ask that the medical profession stop disregarding the fact that it should remain a concern for some. It cost me a lot of medical discomforts.

[knitty kitty]

Do keep in mind that most gluten free flours are not enriched nor fortified with vitamins and minerals like gluten containing flours are required to do.  

Consuming a diet high in carbohydrates without sufficient B vitamins to digest and process them into energy can lead to High Calorie Malnutrition and weight gain.

Deficiency symptoms of B vitamins resemble gastrointestinal symptoms when after eating gluten.  Gastrointestinal Beriberi is a form of Thiamine deficiency.  

Do talk to your doctors about supplementing with essential nutrients while on the gluten free diet, especially if you're consuming processed foods.

[DebJ14]

I did well on gluten-free, but continued to have issues a year down the road.  Testing for food allergies and sensitivities revealed severe IgE allergies to yeast and dairy as well as food sensitivities to 23 other foods.  I got better after taking out those foods, but it was not until the doctor recommended I go completely grain free did all my issues resolve.  No oats, corn, rice etc. for me for the past 10 years or so.  I am actually better at 72 than I was in my 40's!

[lmemsm]

On 7/28/2025 at 11:28 AM, DebJ14 said:

I did well on gluten-free, but continued to have issues a year down the road.  Testing for food allergies and sensitivities revealed severe IgE allergies to yeast and dairy as well as food sensitivities to 23 other foods.  I got better after taking out those foods, but it was not until the doctor recommended I go completely grain free did all my issues resolve.  No oats, corn, rice etc. for me for the past 10 years or so.  I am actually better at 72 than I was in my 40's!

With that many foods removed from your diet, what do you eat?  I also have histamine issues and migraines so that takes out certain trigger foods and high histamine vegetables.  Have allergies to coconut and issues with nuts so those are out.  I'm beginning to think I may have to remove dairy and some of the grains beyond wheat to get allergies under control.  Just having so many issues figuring out what to make at meal times.  What's a typical breakfast look like for you?  Thanks.

[DebJ14]

2 hours ago, lmemsm said:

With that many foods removed from your diet, what do you eat?  I also have histamine issues and migraines so that takes out certain trigger foods and high histamine vegetables.  Have allergies to coconut and issues with nuts so those are out.  I'm beginning to think I may have to remove dairy and some of the grains beyond wheat to get allergies under control.  Just having so many issues figuring out what to make at meal times.  What's a typical breakfast look like for you?  Thanks.

As my doctor said, you don't have to eat breakfast food for breakfast.  I may have a leftover piece of chicken and left over squash or eggs or I am actually more likely to skip breakfast as I do intermittent fasting.  In that case I eat lunch around 11:30 and have some guacamole and a salad with chicken or tuna.  For dinner I have pork, shrimp, chicken, lamb, or turkey with half a baked sweet potato and some broccoli, green beans, beets, carrots or cauliflower.  I do not eat any grains on the advice of my doctor.  I do not eat commercially processed products, even if they say they are gluten-free.  I make Warrior Bread every few weeks.  It has no yeast and contains almond flour and dried sweet potato.  Very tasty too.  A good book to help in this regard is No Grain, No Pain by Peter Osborne.  Thankfully, I can eat coconut and nuts and use those flours in baking and also use nut milks in cooking.  Since I am allergic to chocolate and vanilla, lemon is my go to flavor for something sweet.  My migraines totally disappeared once I went gluten and casein free.  I can occasionally eat certain high fat cheeses that are low in casein, as well as grass fed butter.  I use lots of Organic Olive and Avocado oil. The problems I thought I had with nightshades went away when I went fully organic.  And, the rest of my issues went away by avoiding the foods I tested positive to as well as avoiding all grains. I will be the first one to say that it is a very expensive way of eating, but thankfully we can afford to eat that way.  The good news is that I take no prescription meds at age 72.  At 54 before diagnosis, I was a mess and on a boatload of pharmaceuticals.