My Gluten Free Faves Part 1

One of the main reasons I decided to turn this blog into a "healthy lifestyle" blog was to share my knowledge on gluten free resources with others who may be new to the gluten free diet.  When I first found out I needed to eat gluten free I was 15 and in high school.  Back then, eating gluten free wasn't as common as it is now and I really struggled with the diet.  Most of the crackers and bread tasted like cardboard to me.  I was so discouraged that I would never be able to eat like a "normal" teenager again.  With all of the delicious gluten free options that are out there now it's much easier to find foods that are healthy for you  and taste like the foods you used to love.

 I've tried A LOT of different gluten free brands over the years and today I'm going to share a few of my favorites with you.  I have a lot of favorite (and least favorite) gluten free products to share with you so I think I'm going to turn this into a weekly series of posts.  What do you guys think?  Is this type of post helpful for those of you who are new to the gluten free diet?

Snacks:

Blue Diamond Nut-Thins 

Pros:  These are my favorite gluten free crackers!  I really love these with a little laughing cow cheese on top as a snack.  My favorite kind is the hazelnut because it has a really yummy, nutty taste.  If you want a little more subtle taste though the almond flavor is great too.  

Cons:  None.  I love these crackers and they're really cheap (for gluten free).  I also love that there are more in a box than most other brands of gluten free crackers.  

Where can I get them?  You can find these at Walmart, Whole Foods, Trader Joes and most natural foods sections of any local grocery store. 

Glutino gluten free pretzels.  

Pros:  These are seriously SO good!  I missed pretzels a lot when I first started eating gluten free and once I found these I actually liked them better than regular pretzels.  You can get them in all kinds of varieties but my personal favorite is the chocolate covered kind (I might be a little addicted...) 

Cons:  They can be a little pricey (about twice as much as regular pretzels) but I think they're worth it every once in a while when you need to cure your pretzel craving.  

Where can I get them?  You can also find these at Walmart or Whole Foods.  

Breads:  

Udi's Gluten Free Bread

Pros:  Udi's bread is my favorite packaged gluten free bread that I've tried so far.  I like to make my own bread when I can but when I'm short on time I always have a package of the whole grain bread in my freezer for a quick sandwich on the go.  The bread is light, airy and tastes really close to regular whole wheat bread.  

Cons:  The bread loaves are really small so don't plan on making a huge sandwich with this bread.  Also, as per usual with gluten free products this bread can get pretty pricey.  I paid $5 for the last loaf I bought.

Udi's Gluten Free Bagels

Pros:  Love these bagels!  They have the taste and texture of regular bagels and are really filling.  I love the cinnamon raisin kind with a little almond butter on top for breakfast.  

Cons:  One downside to these is that there aren't that many in a package.  I usually only eat 1/2 a bagel at a time to make them last longer.  

Where can I get them?  If you're in the California/Northern Nevada area you can find Udi's products at Raley's grocery stores.  If you aren't, check out the Udis website to find a store close to you that sells them.  

Pasta:

De Boles Pasta

Pros:  This is my go-to brand for gluten free pasta!  Out of all the ones I've tried, this one has a taste and texture that's closest to regular pasta.  My personal favorite is the angel hair kind.  I also love the lasagna noodles and used them in my gluten free lasagna recipe that I posted this week. 

Cons:  This brand can be a little difficult to find sometimes.  I've been able to find it at Whole Foods though.  Check the website to see if it's sold in your area.  

Annie's Gluten Free Mac n' Cheese

Pros:  Mac n cheese is my comfort food (I think it's because it reminds me of my childhood).  Sometimes I just get a random craving for it and this is my cure.  I actually think this tastes better than the Kraft kind I grew up eating.  It's healthier for you too because it doesn't have any artificial flavors or dyes in the cheese.  It's also really cheap!  I bought a box for $1.50 at Walmart last week.  

Cons:  It can be a little on the soupy side.  I usually mix in the cheese before I add the milk (with the little bit of water leftover after draining it) and then slowly add the milk to my taste.  

Where can I find it?  You can find Annies products at Walmart, Raleys, Trader Joes, Whole Foods, or most natural food stores.  

That's it for my gluten free favorites this week.  Next week I'll post my favorite treats, mixes and breakfast foods so make sure to check back for more tips on the best gluten free products.  

*None of these product reviews were paid for by the manufacturer.  All of these reviews and opinions are my own.  

What are some of your favorite gluten free products?  What other types of my favorite gluten free foods would you like me to share with you?