Why Are The Products So Costly?

[minniejack]

The manager of the natural section really had me thinking today. He said, "Rice is one of the most plentiful grains out there, so why are gluten-free items so expensive? Are they just making a buck off of people like you?"

With more and more of us eating gluten-free, he really does have a valid point. You can say it's due to dedicated facilities or product research. But after so many years, shouldn't the prices be falling not rising?

[TrillumHunter]

It's still a pretty small market. Nabisco made $265 million in profit in 1998. Wow! I would say no gluten-free company comes anywhere near that margin. Plus, Pamela's, and other providers, have to get there raw materials from a source that can prove it's gluten-free status. Other companies can go with the lowest bidder.

I understand the cost of small companies. What I don't get is the cost of the Betty Crocker mixes. They are as much as specialty mixes if you factor in that they only make one layer.

I don't think the cost of gluten-free foods will ever go down much.

[jackay]

I don't think the cost of gluten free will ever go down unless a much larger percent of our population goes gluten free. I'm sure there are so many more out there that should be gluten free but their doctors have not realized it. I have learned to rely on whole foods and forget about all the non-gluten flours and mixes. I did start eating quinoa as a grain and that is quite expensive. At least it goes a long way.

[Chattyaholic]

The cost: That is the main reason I hate to try new gluten-free foods. If I don't like them I've wasted the $$$. Tapioca bread for example, I paid something like $5.69 for a teeny tiny loaf. I took one bite and hated the taste. I managed to get a full slice down, but knew I wouldn't eat any more so threw it away. I felt terrible! Even something as simple as a can of soup, $3.49. A box of crackers almost $5. It's ridiculous, but I pay the price hoping I will like it and not have to throw it away. I try to stick to regular whole foods like lean meat, fresh vegetables and fruits. But when someone else in the house has a snack, I want one too! So it's nice to be able to have a cookie, or a few crackers, pretzels, etc. that I can have as well. Just wish they weren't so costly.

[ItsaDollThang]

I hear ya, Chatty. Around here gluten free foods are almost non-existent even in the health food stores and when you do see them the prices inevitably make me put most of the things I'd like to try back on the shelf. $9 for a loaf of bread? $8 for a tiny thing of pancake mix? I just cannot rationalize that.

The bread mixes I did try, not so hot, so this month I really didn't eat much except corn tortillas and corn chips for "bread." There are a lot of flours at the local health food store and I've been reading a lot of gluten free recipes for quick breads, biscuits, pancakes and the like. I think I am going to go that route eventually, get some different flours and experiment a little. It seems cheaper to me than going the prepared route in some ways.

I may try this one brand first, some mixes, people keep mentioning them, Chebe, because the cost of a sample case online is fairly reasonable but mostly I think I want to get a bread maker and try making some breads and pancake mix for myself.

I don't want to start automatically replacing everything I ate before with an expensive gluten free version though. I don't think that's going to help me much long term. I think a limited amount of breads, the odd pancake, and the corn chips and stuff mostly will do it for me. I want to eat healthier in general, not just stuff my face with snacks just because I can, you know? I've finally lost some weight. I do want to keep that going. At most bread and so forth will be about 10% of my diet. I can't see living without bread completely but I'm definitely not going to go back to eating it every day like I was. A sandwich a few times a week with some gluten free bread, the odd pizza crust, I think I can live with that.

[minniejack]

  On 2/6/2010 at 6:12 PM, ItsaDollThang said:

I hear ya, Chatty. Around here gluten free foods are almost non-existent even in the health food stores and when you do see them the prices inevitably make me put most of the things I'd like to try back on the shelf. $9 for a loaf of bread? $8 for a tiny thing of pancake mix? I just cannot rationalize that.

The bread mixes I did try, not so hot, so this month I really didn't eat much except corn tortillas and corn chips for "bread." There are a lot of flours at the local health food store and I've been reading a lot of gluten free recipes for quick breads, biscuits, pancakes and the like. I think I am going to go that route eventually, get some different flours and experiment a little. It seems cheaper to me than going the prepared route in some ways.

I may try this one brand first, some mixes, people keep mentioning them, Chebe, because the cost of a sample case online is fairly reasonable but mostly I think I want to get a bread maker and try making some breads and pancake mix for myself.

I don't want to start automatically replacing everything I ate before with an expensive gluten free version though. I don't think that's going to help me much long term. I think a limited amount of breads, the odd pancake, and the corn chips and stuff mostly will do it for me. I want to eat healthier in general, not just stuff my face with snacks just because I can, you know? I've finally lost some weight. I do want to keep that going. At most bread and so forth will be about 10% of my diet. I can't see living without bread completely but I'm definitely not going to go back to eating it every day like I was. A sandwich a few times a week with some gluten free bread, the odd pizza crust, I think I can live with that.

try Better Batter gluten free or gluten free mama's almond flour blend before you start experimenting. already made up for you with just the right amounts and taste really good. Both can be ordered online. Some people like Jule's but I've not tried it.

I was really going throuh the flour when I was trying to find the perfect bread, but now that I've found the Udi's, I haven't really needed that much flour. Also, Better Batter has really, really good brownie mix, too.

And as far as bread--try the Udi's. Our local Kroger got it in and yummmm. I'm like you, though, trying to stick to the whole foods w/just occasional replacements.

My kids love the Glutino vanilla/choc cookies, tastes really close to oreos. We're loving Udi's gluten-free pizza and against the grain pizza shells. We just tried Udi's blueberry muffins--not enough blueberries for me, but a nice splurge.

The family likes Kinnikinnick waffles--they taste like Eggo brand--their shipping straight from the company is only $10 for I think it was up to $200.