Beginner Grocery List For Gluten Free Diet

[jenn42]

We are in the first stages of turning our household/kitchen gluten free. Does anyone have any suggestions on a starter grocery list for gluten free must haves? Also, is it important to get new shampoo/conditioner, make-up, toothpaste, deoderant and any other personal items we need for daily use? I'd appreciate all the help.

Thanks.

[Lisa]

We are in the first stages of turning our household/kitchen gluten free. Does anyone have any suggestions on a starter grocery list for gluten free must haves? Also, is it important to get new shampoo/conditioner, make-up, toothpaste, deoderant and any other personal items we need for daily use? I'd appreciate all the help.

Thanks.

Buy whole foods, i.e. fresh veggies, fruit, rice, potatoes. Go through your spice cabinet and read every label. Buy a dedicated toaster.

I use Dove shampoo and Crest toothpaste and explore our products thread, it will offer you many options. Or go to www.CeceliasMarketplace.com

[eatmeat4good]

Don't waste your money trying lots of breads because some of them are really awful. Most people like Udi's or Rudi's but if you buy Rudi's make sure you check the label they also make wheat breads.

I agree with the above...and if you think you may have ever double dipped like baking soda after flour...throw it out.

I use Garnier Fructis Shampoo and conditioner. They are gluten free. Dawn dish soap is gluten free.

Try to stay with natural foods like all fruits and veggies and fresh meats. Check chicken for injections of broth that may have wheat. Read everything twice.

Many people say to stay away from the gluten free processed foods until you have healed. However, for us, we used them a lot in the beginning transition to being gluten free. Now I hardly ever buy Udi's bread or other junk foods. Just once in a while for a treat. But in the beginning, we ate all sorts of the gluten free pasta's and breads and cookies...we were withdrawing from gluten and found them very helpful. But once we were gluten free we didn't need all the carbs and starches anymore. We just didn't crave them as much.

Now we eat meat, nuts, potato, rice, fruit, vegetables and Dove chocolate. A1 steak sauce is gluten free. Many ketchups are. Condiments should be thrown away if you think anyone ever spread the mayo on bread and then dipped back into the jar. That would be enough gluten to make one of us sick.

Check vitamin labels.

Your first few shopping trips can be very daunting as you realize wheat is in everything. Eventually you realize that there are no labels on fruits and veggies in the produce section and you spend more time and energy there. Good luck!

[Skylark]

Meat, veggies, rice, potatoes, fruit, beans (plain canned or dried), eggs, maybe a loaf of gluten-free bread if you can find it. Shop the outside of the grocery store where all the real food is and plan on doing some cooking. You will have to cook more on the gluten-free diet.

I'd also recommend getting a rice cooker. They're super-handy.

[Juliebove]

Don't do what I did! I bought every gluten-free cookbook I could find and then every sort of flour listed in there. I wound up never using most of them.

If you intend to bake, you'll probably want a four flour or five flour type of blend. You can get these already made up. You'll probably also want a plain rice flour. Either white or brown. I've found it really doesn't matter which one. Sweet rice flour works well for thickening gravies and sauces. Also called glutinous rice flour. It is usually cheaper in the Asian food section.

If you normally eat cereal, you'll want some gluten-free stuff. Oats are not gluten-free unless they say so. Rice Krispies and some of the Chex are gluten-free. Just make sure it says so on the box.

You may be dissatisfied with gluten-free bread. There are plenty on the market and people have their preferences. Just buy one loaf to start with. You'll want to toast it (you'll need a new gluten-free toaster or special toasting bags) or put it in the microwave for about 10 seconds to soften it. My daughter prefers the Teff wraps from La Tortilla Factory instead of bread. I microwave them to soften, spread with butter, margarine or mustard, put on a sprinkle of shredded lettuce and add meat and/or cheese. You can add other things but she's a picky eater. Corn tortillas are another option. Just be sure to check the ingredients because there are some that are a wheat/corn mix.

There are plenty of gluten-free mixes out there but you may want to buy those on an as needed basis. I bought pretty much one of every kind and never used most of them. The same would apply to already made up items like cookies, breakfast bars, etc. Just because they make it, doesn't mean you need to buy it. I would only buy those sorts of things if you already eat them on a regular basis and need a replacement.

As others have said, you'll want to concentrate on the whole foods. Like meat, fish, vegetables, rice, etc. You can buy gluten-free pasta. There are rice noodles in the Asian food section if you are used to eating that sort of food. If so, you'll also want some gluten-free soy sauce. This isn't something we buy very often so I can't give you a brand name. Just look for wheat on the label. There are other pastas made of corn, quinoa and rice. Just like the bread, some people prefer some brands over others. Buy a bag of each and try them to see what you like.

It could be hard in the beginning because you might be expecting some of the new foods to taste like the old ones. Often, they won't. But you can get some things that do. There is a good boxed gravy that tastes just fine. It's either Pacific or Imagine brand. I can't remember which. I tend to get them mixed up. Try sticking to foods you already make that you know are gluten-free. Like various soups, chili, meat and potatoes, beans and rice, etc.

[jenn42]

This is all a great start! Thanks so much. I too want to go out and buy every cook book, but now I'm not going to waste the money. Lisa, you mentioned spices. What should I look for on the label? Is there wheat is spices? I have heard that carmel color and natural flavorings are something to watch. Is this true?

[Lisa]

This is all a great start! Thanks so much. I too want to go out and buy every cook book, but now I'm not going to waste the money. Lisa, you mentioned spices. What should I look for on the label? Is there wheat is spices? I have heard that carmel color and natural flavorings are something to watch. Is this true?

Many spices are gluten free, but some are not. Look for single ingredients.

Carmel color is not a gluten concern and all natural flavors must list wheat if used as an ingredient.

Many companies have a full disclosure policy, that will list all gluten i.e. wheat, barley, malt, rye, such as Kraft and Unilever and Con Agra I tend to support those companies.

[jenn42]

Dishwasher detergent?

[Lisa]

Dishwasher detergent?

Never been a concern of mine.

[Bubba's Mom]

I just wanted to mention..the gluten-free Rice Krispies are a staple in this house. I can make Krispy Treats (pretty inexpensive)and they can be ground up in a food processor( I have a mini one that cost under $8) to use as bread crumbs in meatballs, meatloaf, and things like Salmon patties.

Pacific brand makes condensed soups that you can use in casseroles in place of the Campbells that you've probably used in the past.

I get it at Kroger's. They have quite a few gluten-free options.

King Arthur flour comes in a nice gluten-free blend and makes a decent bread. They usually have it in the regular flour aisle at most stores.

[jenn42]

Marshmellows, maltodextrin, and dextrin are ok? We don't have Kroger, only Publix. Maybe I can find those brands at Whole Foods Market? I haven't found a good bread yet. I guess I should start making my own

[jenn42]

I forgot to mention, I just lost 30 pounds on a fruits, veggies, protein and of course, whole grains. I hope I don't gain it all back eating no gluten

[Mango04]

I forgot to mention, I just lost 30 pounds on a fruits, veggies, protein and of course, whole grains. I hope I don't gain it all back eating no gluten

You don't really need to change anything then except the grain part, which you can replace with gluten-free whole grains (there are lots of them - quinoa, brown rice, millet, amaranth etc.)

[lucia]

I can recommend this cookbook (Incredibly Easy Gluten Free Recipes) to begin with. I felt really bad when I first started with gluten-free cooking, and this cookbook was easy and helpful at introducing me to my options. I was introduced to all kinds of dishes and foodstuffs (quinoa, polenta, tapioca, rice noodles, etc.) which I now make/use all the time. You won't regret it, especially since it's also cheap.

Open Original Shared Link

Personally, I held off on the baking for a long time, and concentrated on learning to cook naturally gluten-free dishes well. You can easily make naturally gluten-free desserts too, if you know what to make.

[IrishHeart]

Marshmellows, maltodextrin, and dextrin are ok?

some marshmallows are okay (read the labels)

Single ingredient McCormick's spices have never caused me a problem.

Cecelia's Marketplace gluten-free Shopping List is a very helpful resource to purchase until you get the hang of shopping.

Maltodextrin and dextrin are fine. There is a list of safe/unsafe foods in the articles section of this website as well as at the beginning of each forum section under "frequently asked questions".

We do not have a Whole Foods near us, but I had the chance to shop in one while traveling---and it is a celiac's delight. Tons of gluten-free stuff.

Just take it easy in the beginning as your gut is healing.

[jenn42]

Thanks everyone. This information has made it a lot easier

[IrishHeart]

also, check the recipe and product sections in the forum for other tips and when in doubt, just ask!

But since you already know how to eat on a healthy diet, you should be fine!