Cooking Gluten-free On A Budget

[Rachelmoon]

I just found out at 24 that I have celiacs and I am trying to get used to cooking gluten free. I have a one year old who I am having tested because I think she might have it too. Anyways... Im sure you all understand when I say times are hard and we are on a strict budget for shopping. I cant seem to find any gluten free products at my local stores (Albertsons or Vons) I know that the health food stores sell gluten free stuff but they are so expensive! Any advice on eating gluten free cheap?!? Thanks in advance:)

P.S. I am so glad I found this site... it has been a hard discovery for me, great in a way because I know I can finally feel good, but heartbreaking because gluten is everywhere and I am having a hard time finding things to eat... I am picky and I know I need to open my mind to new ideas!

[Wenmin]

This is a site of Mainstream products that can be found at any local grocery store. The list is old, but I have not had any problems with the items on it. Hope this helps....

homepage.mac.com/sholland/celiac/GFfoodlist.pdf

[daphniela]

I am on a food stamp budget. All I buy is flours and pasta. Chex is gluten free and Betty Crocker is coming out with gluten free cake mixes on June 1st. I eat meat, veggies, and rice or potato for a side dish. Salads are a staple too. If you can't find gluten free pastas you can use thinly sliced zuchini or spaghetti squash. Polenta and eggplant are good replacement for lasagna noodles. Asian and Indian store carry gluten free flours cheaper than in health food stores.

[Amyleigh0007]

If you have a Walmart in your area their Great Value brand will label a product gluten free if it is. There is a list floating around that names the companies that will not "hide" gluten in "natural flavors". I carry that list with me when I shop and it makes label reading much easier. On the top of my head, the companies that will clearly label gluten include Uni Lever and Kraft. There are many, many more. When we first went gluten free I purchased lots of specialty gluten free products but when I started carrying that list with me I realized I could do the majority of my grocery shopping at "regular" stores. I do, however, purchase Pamela's baking mix and Tinkyada pasta on a regular basis. I would post the list but I can't remember where I got it from. I only have the hard copy now. If someone knows what I am talking about, could you please post it? Thanks!

[puddleglum]

I just found out at 24 that I have celiacs and I am trying to get used to cooking gluten free. I have a one year old who I am having tested because I think she might have it too. Anyways... Im sure you all understand when I say times are hard and we are on a strict budget for shopping. I cant seem to find any gluten free products at my local stores (Albertsons or Vons) I know that the health food stores sell gluten free stuff but they are so expensive! Any advice on eating gluten free cheap?!? Thanks in advance:)

P.S. I am so glad I found this site... it has been a hard discovery for me, great in a way because I know I can finally feel good, but heartbreaking because gluten is everywhere and I am having a hard time finding things to eat... I am picky and I know I need to open my mind to new ideas!

I definitely hear you! I have three of us on gluten-free diets, which basically means the whole family has to eat that way for the most part and it can get expensive. I can echo those who have said, fruit, veggies, meat, eggs, etc. Those are all the same. I also went to (Company Name Removed - They Spammed This Forum and are Banned) and bought The Essential Gluten Free Grocery Guide, which did not free me from reading every label, but did give me a starting point for "regular" foods. I think you can find similar lists online (i.e. free), but I am not sure where. You might just start with your favorite grocery store. I know Albertson's brand is listed many times in the Guide and they might have a list on their store website of store brands, at least, that are gluten free. Hope this helps a bit!

[MySuicidalTurtle]

I like to watch for Amazon sales of gluten-free stuff. It is cheaper in bulk and sometimes when thet do sales and have free shipping it is worth it. I also stick to lots of rice and veggies. Plus, I coupon like crazy on everything, so, I save and can get the more expensive gluten-free things I like.

[aheartsj]

I am 23 and was just diagnosed with celiac disease and it seems like it has turned my world upside down.I literally ate take out every single day even though a lot of times it was salads.I have been trying to eat gluten free for about a month now and ill admit I am NOT open minded about trying new things at all.when I first found out I just resorted to not eating but it was doing more harm than good.So I went to the supermarket and tried finding things but it was hard I pretty much left with salad stuff thats really all.I dont eat meat so right there that takes away most of the food we celiacs can eat without worrying.I ate my salads and it wasnt the same of course but I dealt with it come the weekend I went to a healthfood store my dad refered me to(he does not have celiac but he does like to eat healthy) so I went to the store expecting everything to be kind of expensive and I was right my boyfriend kept saying oh get this how about this and all I kept thinking was Im not paying 9 dollars for a frozen pack of 5 bagels that I didnt even know if I would like.After spending 30 dollars for only 4 items I went home and was very closed minded about trying them.The bagels were terrible I think I threw it out after just a few bites the pasta tasted like I was chewing on disgusting powder the second type of pasta I didnt even bother trying the mac and cheese is almost a month later still sitting in my freezer about to be thrown away and the only good thing was the pizza it was good not great especially not for a 10inch pizza to cost 15 dollars I didnt even spend that on real pizza.So once I again I resorted to basically not eating my diet consisted of gatorade and olives.I finally found a supermarket not far from me that carried a few gluten free products so I decided once again to try buying gluten free I found what Ive read is the best gluten free pasta out there and it definatley lived up to and it was only 3.69 for a big bag of elbows and 3.69 for a big bag of fettucine(which I havent tried) only two dollars for gluten free mac and cheese(havent tried)the bagels and sandwhich bread I was very disappointed with its suppose to be "the best gluten free bread company" I thought it was repulsive to say the least that was 10 dollars in the garbadge right there.This time I spent 35 dollars and left the store with about ten items which for me would be about 10 meals at the least since im the only one eating them.My advice to you would be meats and pastas just try making them different ways.Its worth it to spend the four dollars on a bag of there pasta(TINKYADA) it truley is the best gluten free pasta ive ever tried my sister even said she would have never known it was gluten free.I just do variations sometimes cover with pasta sauce sometimes with tomato soup or ketchup and butter(tastes like mac and cheese when you do this)..but snacking is also important since your on a budget and theres not much to choose from at a regular supermarket.KRAFT gives a great easy to read list on there website as well as WISE.Luckily im from new york and in nyc you can truley find whatever your looking for...Hope everything works out for you....

[Rachelmoon]

Thank you everyone! It really helps to know that there are others out there going through the same thing!

[mattathayde]

I am on a food stamp budget. All I buy is flours and pasta. Chex is gluten free and Betty Crocker is coming out with gluten free cake mixes on June 1st. I eat meat, veggies, and rice or potato for a side dish. Salads are a staple too. If you can't find gluten free pastas you can use thinly sliced zuchini or spaghetti squash. Polenta and eggplant are good replacement for lasagna noodles. Asian and Indian store carry gluten free flours cheaper than in health food stores.

OMGZZZZZZZZZZ Betty crocker gluten-free????? sweeeeeeeeet

any way, its easier to go on a paleo diet (cant kill it or grown it you shouldnt eat it). some items are just things you give up (most baked goods). there are a few gluten-free pastas that are good, i dont remember the name of the one i usually get but it is in a salmon/ tan/clear package (they make normal pastas that are in the same package except the salmon color is green or blue depending on the variety). that pasta tastes exactly like normal pasta, it gets a little soggy if you let it sit for a few days in the fridge but its not too bad)

meat, veggies, fruit, rice are all normal stuff you buy and all gluten-free, ya if you just but that stuff instead of some of the premade processed junk it can cost more i guess but its better than being sick (heck the money i save a year on cold meds and imodium probably off sets some of the costs)

-matt

[daphniela]

I am 23 and was just diagnosed with celiac disease and it seems like it has turned my world upside down.I literally ate take out every single day even though a lot of times it was salads.I have been trying to eat gluten free for about a month now and ill admit I am NOT open minded about trying new things at all.when I first found out I just resorted to not eating but it was doing more harm than good.So I went to the supermarket and tried finding things but it was hard I pretty much left with salad stuff thats really all.I dont eat meat so right there that takes away most of the food we celiacs can eat without worrying.I ate my salads and it wasnt the same of course but I dealt with it come the weekend I went to a healthfood store my dad refered me to(he does not have celiac but he does like to eat healthy) so I went to the store expecting everything to be kind of expensive and I was right my boyfriend kept saying oh get this how about this and all I kept thinking was Im not paying 9 dollars for a frozen pack of 5 bagels that I didnt even know if I would like.After spending 30 dollars for only 4 items I went home and was very closed minded about trying them.The bagels were terrible I think I threw it out after just a few bites the pasta tasted like I was chewing on disgusting powder the second type of pasta I didnt even bother trying the mac and cheese is almost a month later still sitting in my freezer about to be thrown away and the only good thing was the pizza it was good not great especially not for a 10inch pizza to cost 15 dollars I didnt even spend that on real pizza.So once I again I resorted to basically not eating my diet consisted of gatorade and olives.I finally found a supermarket not far from me that carried a few gluten free products so I decided once again to try buying gluten free I found what Ive read is the best gluten free pasta out there and it definatley lived up to and it was only 3.69 for a big bag of elbows and 3.69 for a big bag of fettucine(which I havent tried) only two dollars for gluten free mac and cheese(havent tried)the bagels and sandwhich bread I was very disappointed with its suppose to be "the best gluten free bread company" I thought it was repulsive to say the least that was 10 dollars in the garbadge right there.This time I spent 35 dollars and left the store with about ten items which for me would be about 10 meals at the least since im the only one eating them.My advice to you would be meats and pastas just try making them different ways.Its worth it to spend the four dollars on a bag of there pasta(TINKYADA) it truley is the best gluten free pasta ive ever tried my sister even said she would have never known it was gluten free.I just do variations sometimes cover with pasta sauce sometimes with tomato soup or ketchup and butter(tastes like mac and cheese when you do this)..but snacking is also important since your on a budget and theres not much to choose from at a regular supermarket.KRAFT gives a great easy to read list on there website as well as WISE.Luckily im from new york and in nyc you can truley find whatever your looking for...Hope everything works out for you....

I agree store bought gluten free bread is NASTY! I bake my own bread which is rarely. I was never a big bread eater before anyways. I use corn tortillas for bread. Tinkyada pasta is the best. Beans and rice are a staple ttoo. at least once or twice a week. It's cheap and good for you too.

[aheartsj]

I agree rice and beans are soo good and even rice with and veggies is great some onions and corn and green peppers..I loved bread before this so making my own is a good idea thanks!!!!

[ravenwoodglass]

It is hard to get around the expense and looking at a 9 buck pack of pizza shells or a $6 box of cookies with 12 cookies the size of a half dollar makes you almost want to cry. I will admit that when I was first diagnosed I did melt down a couple of times in the grocery store. Of course making my then teenage daughter refuse to shop with me for a bit.

I had it easier in the respect that I am older and didn't grow up with convience foods. The younger generation has grown up with microwaves and fast food and it can be so hard when you realize that you need to cook. For those of you who have never cooked going to someplace that sells used books and picking up a copy of a good all inclusive cookbook will help a great deal. In that book you will find the info on supplies you might need, an explanation of different spices and seasoning and what they are used for, measuring tips and tools, many will tell you what will freeze correctly and of course they will have lots of recipes to spark your imagination.

One of the best things for noncookers to get is a rice cooker. They are especially good for the folks that don't eat meat. You throw the rice in the bottom and they have a steamer basket that you can just throw frozen or fresh veggies, leftover meats, canned beans (I use chi-chi's (also called garbanzo) beans a lot whatever you like and have on hand. I got one for less than $20 at a local store.

A slow cooker is also good especially if you work or go to school. You just toss stuff in and turn it on and things are waiting for you when you get home. You'll find lots of stuff in that $2 used cook book that can be done in the slow cooker.

If you can find Thai Kitchen products in your area they make great rice noodles, I loved angel hair pasta with butter prediagosis and was so happy to discover these. They also make some things like Pad Thai kits and such but do be sure you look for the words gluten free as not all of it is.

I must mention Wegmans also, they are busy expanding their locations and if you have one near you they mark all gluten free food with a circle G. You do have to ask the butcher about stuff like sausages and a few processed meat products as they don't mark those yet for the most part. They will be soon though from what I understand.