The Food Bill

[Knude]

Hi I am new at this board but not new to the DH. I was actually diagnosed over 10 yeas ago did the meds and an attempt at gluten-free at some point in there i experienced a remission and saw nothing for some time ate the way I wanted and so on and so forth. Well it's back so now I am attempting to go gluten-free for good. the prices are scaring me though. I know its got to be done I am not getting younger and the health risks are just too much for me. I am just looking for some input as to what I can look forward to at the registers.

[Rikki Tikki]

Hi Knude:

I live in a small town, we don't have a Whole Foods or Trader Joes, and only one health food store.

So there is not much to choose from. My grocery bill did double. I do wonder what other peoples experiences are.

My bill went from about 100.00 a month for just me to 200.00

[tarnalberry]

If you choose naturally gluten-free food, your bill can DECREASE. It means a bit more cooking, but you can minimize the time that takes by choosing faster recipes and foods. gluten-free prepackaged prodcuts do cost more, unfortunately, simply due to the logistics (lower production volumes, in particular). My bill didn't go up, but I do a lot of cooking from scratch.

[ianm]

My bill went way down because I don't eat processed foods anymore and very carefully monitor what I eat. By eating a diet of meat, veggies, dairy (cheese & yogurt mostly) and fruit I simply don't need to eat nearly as much as I used to.

[KaitiUSA]

Your food bill does not have to go up all the time. There are ways to keep it down. I know my family pays a lot groceries every month. The bill is about $800.00 a month for us. We do buy mostly organic veggies and fruits which alone will make it go up. We were paying alot before going gluten free as well ...just not as much as now.

[Knude]

I too live in a very small town it is 50 miles to the nearest health food store. our household is an Asian household (I am not...wife and kids are) so we eat alot of oriental cooking. But I still crave the stick to your ribs type meal. maybe it is just having someone tell me I can never again eat like I used to has made me crave those foods even more. I appreciate all you comments. a side note a cheap place online to buy gluten-free foods anyone found one in particular?

[lovegrov]

There is no "cheap" place for gluten-free food, at least not for specialty gluten-free food meant to replace bread, cookies, pasta etc. It's all expensive compared to the non-gluten-free stuff, especially when you add shipping. You'll find sales where you can save some occasionally.

My solution is to avoid buying that stuff (especially since I think gluten-free bread tastes like crap) or to make mine from scratch. You can still make Asian food at home using a gluten-free soy sauce, rice flour and a rice wrappers.

richard

[Guest ajlauer]

Be sure and check all your local grocery stores for specialty items. Or, ask your favorite store to carry a few things (has anyone had any luck with this??) We have a store in town that I would get my low-carb foods from. Sure enough, I found out last night, they carry a lot of the Gluten Free items! I think the most expensive part about ordering online is paying the shipping costs!!! They can be more than the food itself!!!

Also, if you itemize deductions, keep your receipts. You can deduct the difference between - for example - gluten-free bread and regular bread. I don't know all the details. But if you itemize, save your food receipts, and get the details later.