This is a basic list of favorite gluten free products in my kitchen. I will be sharing more and more about the products I use and love throughout this blog, but for now, here is a simple go-to list to help you get started. These are products I love to use, my kids love to eat, and they make the gluten free day to day life a little easier. If you are just starting out, don’t be overwhelmed. There are so many products out there and it really requires trial and error. But this can be expensive and I have tried so many items. Use MY experience to help guide YOU to some tasty gluten staples.

As you are adapting to a new diet, if you are unsure, plan to shop the walls of the store and avoid the middle aisles until you are ready. That being said, think fresh, healthy, unprocessed foods. Those are always safe. Fresh fruits, fresh veggies, many meats & dairy items are safe. Just be cautious of additives and flavors in meats. The same is true with items such as shredded cheeses which often contain an anti-caking agent which translates to gluten. Assume if something is added and you don’t know what it is, it’s gluten…until you know otherwise.

Educate yourself and slowly you WILL gain confidence in your trips to the store. And always be cautious. Labels and products are changing constantly so just get in the habit of reading labels and learning the words used for hidden gluten. Find a few go-to products that work for you and can help you get through a few days.

Find the things that will satisfy your cravings for gluten. I learned quickly that if I couldn’t find it or make it, I was going to cheat. That’s why I started learning how to adapt my recipes. I needed to find food I liked and that tasted good but would still be gluten free. This has helped me to remain gluten free without feeling deprived. Now I feel good and I’m no longer sick after every meal I eat. The store isn’t so overwhelming. Social activities revolving around food are manageable. In the beginning I looked at the diet as a curse. Now I feel it’s a blessing to know and understand what made me feel so horrible for so long.

All Purpose Baking Flour: Bob’s Red Mill, Namaste, GF Bisquick
Bread: Udi’s whole grain, Udi’s french loaf
Bread Crumbs: Kinnikinnick panko bread crumbs
Cake Mix: Pamela’s chocolate cake mix, Pillsbury GF Funfetti cake mix
Cereal: Cheerios (Check for the gluten free label – there are several gluten free flavors), Chex
Cookies: Pamela’s chocolate chunk cookies, Udi’s Snickerdoodle (Frozen), Loren’s refrigerated chocolate chip cookie dough, Pillsbury chocolate chip cookie mix, Kinnikinnick vanilla wafers
Deli Meat: Boar’s Head products (A huge selection of gluten free)
Donuts: Katz frozen cinnamon donuts
Frozen Pizza: Costco gluten free cheese pizza, Chebe pizza crust, gluten free Digiorno
Frozen Waffles: Van’s Homestyle
Graham Crackers: Kinnikinnick S’morable
Ice Cream Cones: Joy ice cream cones
Jam: Bonnie Jean and Crofter’s
Macaroni & Cheese: Annie’s GF creamy deluxe & cheesy cheddar, Annie’s rice and cheese, Horizon white cheddar
Oatmeal: Bob’s Red Mill Rolled Oats, Quaker Instant Brown Sugar & Maple
Pancake Mix: Pamela’s baking and pancake mix
Pasta: Barilla
Pretzels: Hanover, Snyder
Seasonings: All single ingredient McCormick seasonings
Snacks: Van’s PB&J bars, kids KIND bars, Danimal yogurt pouches, cheese sticks, Van’s crackers, Lance peanut butter or cheese sandwich crackers, Oikos greek yogurt
Soup: Annie’s tomato bisque
Tortillas: Toufayan original gluten free wraps