Gluten Free Food Is Sooooooo Expensive!

[Chattyaholic]

Gosh, I don't mind eating gluten-free food but I sure do mind paying for it! Yikes!!

There is a health food store near me and I've gotten a few things there like crackers, cereal, soups, pasta, etc. and everything is so much more expensive than "regular" food.

And today I went to Meijer's to check out their gluten free stuff and they did have a lot so I got a few more things. One thing in particular, Ian's frozen Chicken Nuggets. Wow. $6.19 for TEN nuggets!! TWO servings is all that's in the box, for $6.19!!! That's terrible!! I won't be buying them again. I did check the price before I bought them, and sucked in my breath when I saw it. But I guess I just expected there would be more nuggets than what there were.

They're okay. I baked them in the oven, but should have left them in a bit longer. Deep fried would be better.

Celery and carrot sticks are a lot cheaper!!

[purple]

Gosh, I don't mind eating gluten-free food but I sure do mind paying for it! Yikes!!

There is a health food store near me and I've gotten a few things there like crackers, cereal, soups, pasta, etc. and everything is so much more expensive than "regular" food.

And today I went to Meijer's to check out their gluten free stuff and they did have a lot so I got a few more things. One thing in particular, Ian's frozen Chicken Nuggets. Wow. $6.19 for TEN nuggets!! TWO servings is all that's in the box, for $6.19!!! That's terrible!! I won't be buying them again. I did check the price before I bought them, and sucked in my breath when I saw it. But I guess I just expected there would be more nuggets than what there were.

They're okay. I baked them in the oven, but should have left them in a bit longer. Deep fried would be better.

Celery and carrot sticks are a lot cheaper!!

Rice and beans are cheap to help off set the gluten-free bill. You can make your own chicken nuggets or strips, there are many recipes and tips on here.

[wildwood]

Gosh, I don't mind eating gluten-free food but I sure do mind paying for it! Yikes!!

There is a health food store near me and I've gotten a few things there like crackers, cereal, soups, pasta, etc. and everything is so much more expensive than "regular" food.

And today I went to Meijer's to check out their gluten free stuff and they did have a lot so I got a few more things. One thing in particular, Ian's frozen Chicken Nuggets. Wow. $6.19 for TEN nuggets!! TWO servings is all that's in the box, for $6.19!!! That's terrible!! I won't be buying them again. I did check the price before I bought them, and sucked in my breath when I saw it. But I guess I just expected there would be more nuggets than what there were.

They're okay. I baked them in the oven, but should have left them in a bit longer. Deep fried would be better.

Celery and carrot sticks are a lot cheaper!!

You may want to check out Angel Food Ministries. They have an allergen free box that usually contains chicken nuggets, chicken tenders, etc. that are gluten free. I have purchased this a couple of times and it is more economical. You can order online. You have to pick it up on a specific date and their website gives all the details and pickup locations. There are many churches that are pickup spots nationwide and anyone can order. My daughter goes to college out of state and I am able to order online and then she picks it up at a church near her college.

[soulcurrent]

When I feel cheated like that I just imagine that I would've spent about that much if not more had I gone for fast food somewhere. It helps ease the pain a little. But only a little.

[Juliebove]

I can easily eat a box of Ian's chickn nuggets in one sitting. Thankfully they are not quite that expansive here.

You might check this site and see if you can get food through the Angel Ministry. Sadly, I can't get it here.

Open Original Shared Link

Mostly we try to eat foods that are naturally gluten free. Rice is no longer really a cheap food, but cheaper than some things.

gluten-free pasta is not as cheap as other pasta, but still as foods go, fairly cheap.

Potatoes are cheap. We do eat a lot of those.

I get as much as I can at Costco. I buy chicken breasts, ground beef, lunch meat and a few other things. They do have gluten-free prepared meats such as beef in Zinfandel wine sauce with vegetables. Husband and I liked it okay. Daughter did not. They also have Carne Deshebrada, pulled pork and some other things. I also buy cases of canned vegetables, meats and tuna. They have gluten-free veggie chips and rice chips too.

[lovegrov]

You can avoid buying all that expensive gluten-free stuff (which I do most of the time) or you can make some of it yourself, which is cheaper. Generally, I just eat naturally gluten-free food. There are also some cheap subs. I wrap stuff in lettuce or corn tortillas for sandwiches and also use corn tortillas as mini pizzas.

richard

[summerteeth]

Like many of the above responses, I try to eat things that are naturally gluten free - in season fruits and veggies, plain meats, rice, dry beans... but sometimes you just want a cookie. Or a cracker. Finding cheaper gluten free flours is relatively easy - I have found 3lb bags of rice flour at the "international" grocery store in my area and have made banana bread and red velvet cake with it on the cheap. La Tortilla Factory teff wraps aren't too pricey here and I can only eat half of one if I stuff it full of veggies - plus they freeze well so when I have a bit of extra money in my grocery budget I stock up. They also make an excellent pizza crust- they made probably the best bbq chicken pizza I have ever made. Michael Seasons cheese puffs are about the same price as cheetos. Finding gluten free ice cream is pretty easy, too. I try to stay away from the frozen gluten free items because, in my experience, they are WAY expensive and usually don't taste too good to me (plus they are not so good nutritionally). But if you like Amy's products, you can email them and they will send you a HUGE booklet of coupons. Seriously, I think they sent me $15 worth of them and I stocked up on the frozen meals for when I just want something easy.

[jackay]

I too am stressed with the price of gluten free foods and supplements. It doesn't help that I react to a lot of the supplements I've tried to help me feel better and end up feelilng worse. Money down the drain I am hoping that once I am off gluten for a while longer that I won't be sensitive to so many things. My doctor is hoping for that, too.

I get so frustrated that I am going to this expense and not making progress like I should. I know it is going to take me a long time to feel better but I keep looking for little signs.

[ciavyn]

Wildwood - thanks for the suggestion of angelfood ministries. I used to buy from them over summer to feed the kids while they are home. I just assumed that was out.

Jackay - I feel your pain. May I suggest...I got a biggest loser cookbook, a gluten free cookbook, and a low carb cookbook, all of which have few ingredients for meals. (The Gluten free is the hardest to work with, surprisingly). I make our meals with naturally gluten free foods - rice, chicken, beef, fish, veggies, fruit, etc. Corn tortilla chips are cheap, popcorn is cheap, beans and rice are cheap. I love potatoes and yams. My point: keep your gluten free snacks as just that: snacks. And enjoy the naturally gluten free foods out there. I promise - you'll eat real food that you really like, and you won't even miss the other stuff. And it will cut back your grocery bill.

Hang in there.

PS: if you have a doctor's diagnosis, you can look into claiming the extra cost of gluten free food on your taxes. Consult your accountant for details, but I just read an article on it.

[Glamour]

I agree about the cost of the foods. I have been doing a lot of soups, rice, beans, sweet potatoes and will have to expand my home cooking menu. Need to make more salads.

I am going to save my gluten-free splurge for Udi's bread, and Mary's gone Crackers (need to learn to make these). The packaged foods are not safe and too expensive.

[Lynayah]

Gosh, I don't mind eating gluten-free food but I sure do mind paying for it! Yikes!!

There is a health food store near me and I've gotten a few things there like crackers, cereal, soups, pasta, etc. and everything is so much more expensive than "regular" food.

And today I went to Meijer's to check out their gluten free stuff and they did have a lot so I got a few more things. One thing in particular, Ian's frozen Chicken Nuggets. Wow. $6.19 for TEN nuggets!! TWO servings is all that's in the box, for $6.19!!! That's terrible!! I won't be buying them again. I did check the price before I bought them, and sucked in my breath when I saw it. But I guess I just expected there would be more nuggets than what there were.

They're okay. I baked them in the oven, but should have left them in a bit longer. Deep fried would be better.

Celery and carrot sticks are a lot cheaper!!

I feel your pain! My husband has been out of work for many months, with just my income to support us, including education costs and other family support issues. Oh my gosh yes, it is hurtfully expensive, especially if you want to purchase products that are not whole foods.

I agree: whole foods are the best bet: seasonal fruits and vegetables, meat on sale, etc.

That said, here is a suggestion: I belong to a local GIG (gluten intolerance group). The leader contacts companies to find out the best price for bulk orders, and then we order together as a group. This can save many, MANY dollars and is a blessing.

GIG: Open Original Shared Link

If there isn't a chapter in your area, maybe you could start one? Everything happens for a reason, as they say.

Hope this helps a little. Keep posting here! I want to hear more about how you work things out! I am trying so hard to keep to a responsible food budget. It is definitely not easy.

[StacyA]

I bought a bunch of cheap tupperware and I do a lot more cooking with naturally gluten-free foods and freeze meals for myself. I take them to work (I set them in the fridge to thaw the night before)or have them on standby for a quick microwave.

Meals that are easy to cook and the ingredients are naturally gluten free (except you have to use cornstarch instead of flour, or you have to use gluten-free soy sauce) and you can make a huge amount and they freeze well: sweet and sour chicken on rice; chili; beef stroganoff on rice; pot roast with carrots and onions and mashed potatoes and gravy; spagetti sauce on rice; cooked red cabbage and beef roast and mashed potatoes (the cabbage is cooked with molasses and brown sugar...yum)... There's so many options. You'll find that the more you cook, the more money you save - whether you're going gluten-free or not. Then, with the money you save, you won't feel guilty paying a little extra for a gluten-free loaf of bread here and there.

And don't get too hung up on having to find fancy expensive processed 'gluten-free' stuff by brands such as 'Glutino'. Perhaps buy just of few of them to have on hand when you're feeling deprived. But also have a good supply of naturally gluten-free snacks available (nuts, popcorn, fruit, peanut butter - remember how good peanut butter is on apples or bananas - perhaps with some Hershey dark chocolate chips on top?). Also look for mainstream products that are already gluten free but don't advertise it and therefore tack on 3 extra bucks - such as Nature Valley almond crunch bars, or some of the gluten-free Progresso soups - there's an updated link in this forum under 'Betty Crocker' - I like the santa fe chicken, chocolate chex (really good as a dry snack with some almonds), and there's lots of candy you can have - not that candy is good for you, but I feel less sorry for myself when I can eat my york peppermint patties or sour patch kids or reese peanut butter cups or snickers. I have a special cabinet in the kitchen that my husband and kids aren't allowed into where I keep my favorite snacks - and most of those snacks are mainstream products I listed above, but I still like having a special place for them.

There's a ton of food at the grocery store for you, well outside of the 'Gluten Free' or 'Organic' sections. Hang in there!

- Stacy

[gfp]

You can avoid buying all that expensive gluten-free stuff (which I do most of the time) or you can make some of it yourself, which is cheaper. Generally, I just eat naturally gluten-free food. There are also some cheap subs. I wrap stuff in lettuce or corn tortillas for sandwiches and also use corn tortillas as mini pizzas.

richard

I'll second the two options ...

Lots of people have never thought of making chicken nuggets but they take no time at all ... neither do chicken wings, drumsticks etc.

Making chicken nuggets is actually a good way to use up waste expensive gluten-free bread. I find half the time the sliced stuff breaks before I get it home or when you handle it... so I keep it, stick it in a food processor for a minute and roast it lightly in the oven to dry it and it then keeps quite well in a sealed container. (You can also freeze it)

The simplest recipe is just season the breadcrumbs and optionally the chicken strips (your choice from cajun, mexican etc.), then dip it quickly in a beaten egg and roll it in breadcrumbs... pop them in hot oil to seal then your choice of deep fry or take them out to bake.

If you already have breadcrumbs it is literally 2 mins work... it just takes a little practice to get the coating but once you get it right make 50 and freeze them... then you can also do some wings and drumsticks if you like.