I learned I had Celiac Disease almost twenty years ago. Although I had suffered from stomach issues for my entire life, no one knew what was causing them. It wasn’t until I lost 25 pounds off of my already quite thin frame, started losing my hair and passed out in my apartment that things got really bad and I finally found a doctor who could tell me what I had: Celiac Disease. I had to change my entire diet…Fast! I did and am SO much better for it. The thing is, going gluten free was challenging (especially back then) and EXPENSIVE! Over the last 19 years, I’ve been able to weed through hundreds (if not thousands) of products to find the most tasty and affordable options. Now, I can share them with you and save you YEARS of leg-work (and quite a few bucks!). Note: Just because something is labeled “gluten free” doesn’t mean it’s healthy. Whole foods are always better than unprocessed foods. That being said, a bowl of pasta or a piece of bread now and then isn’t going to do you much harm (as long as it’s gluten free!).

Bonus: At the bottom of this post, I’ve also added a list of gluten free eateries I trust on Long Island and in New York City. If you live in the area or are visiting, I would recommend you check them out.

**To watch/listen to me discuss going gluten free, as well as some of the gluten free products mentioned below, please visit The Lynchfit Podcast Episode 35.**

GROCERY SHOPPING: THE LIST

Everything on it has been tested (by me!) and approved for taste. I hope you enjoy them as well!

Interested in a shopping checklist to take with you to the grocery store, click the link below:

Popular GF brands found in many grocery stores:

• Glutino: Canadian brand which makes crackers, cookies, pizza, etc. Most of what they make is great.
• Katz: They make all sorts of delicious frozen pies and pastries. They also sell boxed mixes. 
• Krusteaz: Their line of boxed mixes is also delicious. I particularly love their cinnamon swirl crumb cake mix. Amazing! 
• Schaar: Austrian/Italian brand. They make everything (Celiac is a BIG thing in Italy. If you ever want to go to a place that makes GF eating easy, go to Italy. They are very aware. Ireland is also a Celiac Patient’s dream – ALL menus are allergy labeled!)
• Simple Mills: Great crackers in a variety of flavors.

STOP & SHOP

B Free: Gluten free Naan and pita bread. I freeze each piece in foil and take it out to toast when I’m ready to eat it. These are delicious and very close to the “real thing”!

TRADER JOE’S

Bagels: Trader Joe’s Brand. Not dry and easy to toast!

Bread: Trader Joe’s Gluten Free White Bread: the loaves are so small, but the slices are great toasted or right out of the bag.

Cookies: Trader Joe’s Chocolate Chip GF cookies – These are a knock-off of the Hampton’s brand (you know which one!). They taste the same, but are less expensive.

Pizza: Trader Joe’s frozen GF cauliflower pizza. Don’t follow the cooking directions. It needs to be baked for about 18 minutes. Add any toppings you like before baking. Delicious!

WHOLE FOODS

Note: Products with an (*) can also be found at other grocery stores such as Shoprite and Stop & Shop and Wild by Nature.

Beverages:

Most teas and coffees are naturally gluten free, but I found a great gluten free herbal coffee I swear by for those who want to cut out caffeine. It’s called Teeccino. The Dark Dandelion Roast is GF, prebiotic and caffeine free and it tastes just like coffee! I have it every day. It’s also sold on Amazon.

Bread:

• Rudi’s Brioche Hamburger Buns -They are best toasted.
• Schaar Deli Style Bread* – Tastes like rye bread!

Cereal:

• Three Wishes – All of the flavors are delicious and it’s higher in protein and lower in sugar than most commercial cereals.

Cookies:

• Frozen Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough – Immaculate Brand (make sure it says GF!) or
• Sweet Loren’s Brand* (also DAIRY FREE!) – This brand comes in Chocolate Chunk, Cranberry Oatmeal, Sugar Cookie, and Brownie. It also offers a lower sugar option, which tastes amazing!

Crackers:

• Glutino* (any flavor)
• KA-ME rice crackers* – These are like hard chips and they are salty. It’s an Asian style cracker.
• Mary’s Gone Crackers* (sea salt flavor)
• Simple Mills* – (These are also Paleo, which is great). I love the “everything” flavor!

Flours:

• King Arthur Gluten Free Measure for Measure Flour – In my opinion, this is as close to wheat-based flour in taste and it’s easy to bake with.
• Organic Almond Flour* – This item can be found in most grocery stores. It has a distinct almond taste (obviously) and is higher in fiber and other nutrients that white flours.

Ice Cream:

• So-Delicious* – Most basic ice cream flavors are gluten free, but if you’re looking for ice cream sandwiches, or cookie-dough ice cream, this non-dairy brand is a great one. Be mindful that you get a lot less in terms of volume for the money (the ice cream sandwiches are no bigger than the palm of my hand) but it is delicious and the smaller serving sizes do keep me from overindulging.

Oatmeal:

• One Degree Organic GF Oats – You can microwave these or cook them on the stove. Bonus: They are glyphosate free!

Pancake Mix:

• Pamela’s Pancake and Waffle Mix – These are almond flour-based. They are crepe-like, which I love!

Pasta:

• Andean Dream -This brand is corn free and tastes great.
• Cappello – Almond flour-based and Paleo ravioli and gnocchi. Expensive, but delicious.
• Rummo – This brand is from Italy. European products usually contain less worrisome pesticides, as they are more strictly regulated.

Pretzels:

• Snyders*

Protein Powder:

• Truvani -This is a vegan powder. I like the non-flavored version best, especially because there are no added sweeteners, but it does also come in chocolate and vanilla flavors.
• It’s Just! – Egg white protein powder. Great texture, taste, smell. You can’t detect it in your shake. 

Snack/Protein Bars:

• *KIND bars*
• *Lara bars*

*Check the labels on all of them, but most flavors say GF. They are dairy free as well.

Waffles/Pancakes (Ready-Made):

• Ancient Grains – Any flavor
• Vans* – Apple Cinnamon. These are ADDICTIVE! Just be sure to buy the GF ones. Van’s makes non-GF as well.

**Gluten and Dairy-Free Items**

• Earth Balance* – Butter (the best non-dairy butter!!)
• Enjoy Life* (cookies, cakes, snacks)
• So-Delicious Coconut milk*
• So-Delicious Coconut milk yogurt*

WILD BY NATURE

Pretzels

• Dutch Country Soft Pretzels

As a native New Yorker, I used to love getting a soft pretzel when I went into the city. Now I can enjoy the gluten free version at home! These are delicious and you just pop them in the microwave.

GLUTEN FREE EATERIES (New York)

BAKERIES – Long Island, NY

• Bare Naked Bakery – Bellmore, Huntington, Plainview and Shirley: They make THE BEST GF bagels, which also freeze beautifully. I highly recommend getting there early in the morning when the bagels are fresh out of the oven. To die for!
• Dortoni – Levittown: They make custom GF birthday cakes which are great if you want something fancy. I’ve used them in the past, especially when my kids were younger, but I’m not “wowed” by them, as the cake tends to be on the dry side for my taste.
• Whole Foods carries a frozen line of cakes/donuts and muffins by By The Way Bakery. They are delicious, but very high in sugar. I tend to make my own.

RESTAURANTS (that I trust!) 

Not every place that offers GF options understands/appreciates cross-contamination issues. I have personally successfully dined at the following establishments multiple times. That being said, always inform your server and be sure s/he understands your situation before dining.

Long Island, NY

• Bare Burger – Hicksville
• Besito  – Huntington and Roslyn locations
• Dough and Co – Huntington (BEST GF pizza I’ve had in NY!)
• Farm Italy – Huntington 
• (The) Frisky Oyster – Greenport
• Gatsby’s Landing – Roslyn
• Grasso’s – Cold Spring Harbor
• (The) Gourmet Whaler – Cold Spring Harbor (no frills sitdown)
• Harbor Mist – Cold Spring Harbor
• Hunan Cottage (Chinese Takeout) – Plainview
• Landmark Diner – Roslyn (This place even has GF Pita!
• Olive Branch Restaurant and Bar – Greenport
• Organic Crush – Plainview and Woodbury
• (The) Purple Elephant – Northport
• Rustic Root – Syosset
• Sandbar – Cold Spring Harbor
• Sawasdee Thai Elevated – Plainview
• (The) Shed – Huntington and Plainview
• Sweet Tomato (more of a deli) – Oyster Bay
• Thyme – Roslyn
• Wild Honey – Oyster Bay

New York, NY – The following places are AMAZING! The trip into the city is beyond worth it!

• Lilli and Loo – Chinese Food
• Risotteria Melotti – Italian (GF dedicated facility)
• Senza Gluten – Italian (GF dedicated facility)