Gluten-Free Grocery Shopping Tips

As a busy mom of three, I don't have time to play hide and seek while shopping for gluten-free items. I need to know where the gluten-free products are as soon as I enter the store.

It can be overwhelming at first, especially for someone just starting out on their search for gluten-free items. I hope this post can help make your gluten-free grocery shopping more enjoyable!

5 TIPS TO MAKE GLUTEN-FREE GROCERY SHOPPING EASY:

1) FOCUS ON WHAT YOU/OR YOUR CHILD CAN EAT, NOT WHAT YOU/THEY CAN'T.

2) STICK TO THE OUTSKIRTS OF THE STORE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE - VEGETABLES, FRUITS, DAIRY/CHEESE, CHICKEN, FISH, PORK AND BEEF - you'll find that MOST, if not all of these items are GLUTEN-FREE. NOTE:  Of course, you have to watch out for the processed meats, but learning to love fruits, veggies, eggs, potatoes, chicken, fish and so on will be a big help along the way.

Fruits, Veggies, Meats, Cheeses and Dairy are mostly
GLUTEN-FREE and HEALTHY too!

3) ORGANIC/HEALTH FOOD/GLUTEN-FREE Section is a MUST! Shop at a grocery store that has an established health food section.  This is where you will find speciality gluten-free items.

 

4) MEAL PLAN - I have to say, I'm not very good at this, but it's a new year, so I hope I can do better! It makes grocery shopping easier knowing the meals you plan to prepare for the upcoming week.

5) GETTING THE KIDS INVOLVED - My two oldest, Jack and his sister come along with me and make great suggestions. I'll ask, "What do you guys want for school lunches?" "What do you want for snacks?"

WHERE TO FIND GLUTEN-FREE PRODUCTS:

1) Cupcakes, Pancake and Bread Mixes + GF Flour Blends - you will find these products in the HEALTH/ORGANIC/GLUTEN-FREE section of the store. You will also find some baking mixes

in the regular "Baking" aisle, along with the regular cake and muffin mixes.

2) Bread, Pizza Crust, Pre-made Frozen Pizzas, Buns + Waffles - you can find these in the  HEALTH/ORGANIC/GLUTEN-FREE FREEZER section of the store. You can also find GF bread in the "Bakery" section in their "Frozen" section or on a display in the bakery section.

These items HAVE GLUTEN and you need to substitute by looking
for GLUTEN-FREE options in the frozen section or the
ORGANIC/HEALTH FOOD SECTION.

3) Oatmeal, Pretzels, Crackers, Breakfast Bars, Cereal + Cookies -  these items are located in the HEALTH/ORGANIC/GLUTEN-FREE section. Again, some stores may mix gluten-free products within the regular aisles, but I find that most are in the speciality foods area. You can find Chex Cereals in the regular cereal aisle.

 
SEE, Easy Peasy!

Grocery stores are becoming more and more gluten-free friendly.  And even though it's exciting to see more gluten-free products available, they are also products that are manufactured and processed. So that's why I say, stick to the outskirts of the store as much as possible and find a few of your favorite gluten-free snacks or treats within the aisles.

FOCUS ON WHAT YOU CAN EAT, NOT WHAT YOU CAN'T.