Gluten Free is currently a marketing gold mine so you have lots and lots of products to try. But, while it is great to have some gluten free-alternatives and substitutes for your pasta, crackers, cookies and breads, it is still processed and most gluten-free products have more carbs, sugar and calorie than their gluten equivalents.
But if you just can’t bear the thought of no snacks or pasta here are some of our favorites to help get you started and make the transition.
Kame Original Rice Crackers (forget the other brands they leave a yucky taste). We’ve bought this brand since long before the gluten-free “fad”.
Le Veneziane Penne Rigate Corn Pasta (in our house no child or guest has ever noticed the difference). Personally, most of the other brands/types on the market except for Bionatuare make me gag.
Glutino Pretzels. I’m not a fan of most of their products but these are delicious. In fact, in a taste test with popular regular brands, they won.
Trader Joe’s GF Chocolate Chip Cookies (the ginger snaps will do but have a funny texture and the meringues are great but you can easily make your own) are crunchy not chewy and really, really good.
The French Laundry Cup4Cup “Flour” – the best substitute I’ve found with no gritty after taste. King Arthur Gluten Free Baking Mix is a close second.
Mama’s Pancake Mix – King Arthur Pancake Mix is also great and if you don’t tell, no one will notice.
Gillians Bread Crumbs – Perfect substitute for chicken or eggplant parmesan
Canyon Bakehouse Breads – Until I found Canyon Bakehouse, I considered Udi’s GF breads, when toasted, acceptable but “gluten free bread” is really an oxymoron (a combination of contradictory or incongruous words). Breads are definitely the hardest thing to give up and to find an acceptable substitute; that is, until Canyon Bakehouse.
Processed food, whether gluten- free or not, is not real food.
As Michael Pollan’s Rule #39 in Food Rules states, Eat all the junk food you want as long as you cook it yourself.
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational purposes only and is not intended to substitute for medical counseling. Intentional Health and DIY Health & Wellness does not treat, prevent, cure, or diagnose any disease or ailment.
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