As someone who has to avoid wheat, dairy and eggs (just to name a few) I have done a lot of research and taste testing to help ensure that while my dietary needs have to be adjusted for my well being, that I don’t have to give up all my favorite foods and equally important taste! Below I have listed some of my favorite products that have made me feel like I don’t have to give up all the goodies and meals I love so much. 
1. Rice Crackers: Ka-Me rice cracker brand has delicious flavors and the crackers are perfect for any dip or even on their own. I especially like the wasabi-flavored cracker, but these are not for the faint of heart. Ka-Me Crackers
2. Gluten-Free Pasta: Tinkyada Brown Rice pasta has become a must-have in my house. With all variations from spaghetti to spirals to lasagna you can enjoy your same pasta favorites at home and not feel like you’re eating an “alternative” product. Tinkyada pasta
Try this recipe: Quinoa Pasta with Creamy Pesto and Tomatoes
3. Gluten-Free Soy Sauce: A staple in Asian cooking and for all of you sushi lovers out there like me. The San-J brand soy sauce that is certified gluten-free by the Gluten-Free Certification Association tastes exactly as regular soy sauce and is the perfect addition to my stir-fry dishes. San-J Soy Sauce
4. Bob’s Red Mill: I love this company and that there is a Bob’s Red Mill dedicated gluten-free section full of all the products you need for baking as well as mixes for cakes, breads, granola as well as product bundles and samplers. I personally love the all-purpose baking flour which helped get me back in the kitchen and making yummy cookies again. Bob’s Red Mill/Gluten-Free
5. Pancake Mix: Cherry Brook Kitchen mixes have the best tasting pancakes I have ever made and all my non gluten-free friends and family love them too. This is definitely a must try product and there are many more in their suite worth trying. Cherry Brook Kitchen
As promised I had mentioned last week that many products you wouldn’t guess contain gluten and because gluten labeling is not required it can be hard to track these down while navigating the shopping aisles at your grocery store. Below is a list of many of the top purchased items that may contain gluten and should be reviewed carefully prior to purchase. I encourage you to share any additional products that should be flagged as well.
Gluten beware list:
- Barley
- Beverage mixes
- Brewer’s yeast
- Brown rice syrups
- Candy (read labels as many candies are gluten-free)
- Canned baked beans
- Cold cuts
- Couscous
- Packaged cereals including corn cereals
- Commercially prepared broth and soup
- Commercially prepared chocolate milk
- Curry powder
- Custard
- Fruit fillings
- Gum
- Hot dogs
- Ice cream
- Malt vinegar
- Non-dairy creamer
- Pasta
- Pickles
- Potato chips
- Pudding
- Root beer
- Rye
- Spelt
- Syrups
- Salad dressing
- Sausages
- Soy sauce
- Stock cubes and gravy sauces
- Tabbouleh
- Teriyaki sauce
- Vegetables with commercially prepared sauces
- Wheat
- White Pepper (In some restaurants, flour is added to white pepper to avoid stickiness)
Stay tuned as the gluten-free series continues with a slideshow on gluten-free books that are great resources for you to have at home and with you on the go. If you have any questions you would like me to address please email me at [email protected] or leave a comment below.