Happy 2013, everyone! Since 2012 saw GFCF Lunchbox go soy free in addition to gluten free and casein free, I thought I’d update last year’s list of our favorite GFCF packaged foods. Removing soy from our diets all but eliminated the middle section of the grocery store, but we found a few tried and true items at Whole Foods, Sprouts and (thankfully) Costco. I’ve been able to buy most of our favorite pastas, cereals, flours and candy in bulk online for much cheaper than retail. This is my go-to list for all things GFCFSF that come in a package.
I am eternally grateful to all of the allergy-friendly food companies who make the agonizing decision of what on earth to feed my kids so much easier on those days when they go on strike against fruit, nuts and vegetables! Enjoy and best wishes for a happy, healthy year!
Non-Dairy Milks:
Almond Breeze Vanilla Enriched Almond Milk; Chocolate Enriched
Pacific Hazelnut Milk
Tempt Hemp Milk (chocolate and vanilla)
Breads:
Rudi’s Gluten Free Tortillas (These can be found at Costco and are WONDERFUL – they are actually soft!).
Udi’s Gluten Free Bagels (Pricey but surprisingly delicious. Worth the splurge when you really want a tasty bagel! They come in plain, multigrain and cinnamon raisin).
Rudi’s Gluten Free Bakery Multigrain Sandwich Bread
Pasta:
Ancient Harvest Organic Gluten Free Quinoa Pasta (Comes in a variety of shapes. This is the only pasta we eat now since it actually holds its texture and doesn’t get mushy. You can even refrigerate leftovers and they’re still great the next day).
Breakfast & Cereals:
Enjoy Life Perky’s Crunchy Flax Cereal (The GFCFSF answer to Grape Nuts. Very few ingredients; high in protein; great with non-dairy yogurt topped with fruit and honey!).
Envirokidz Organic Koala Crisps (Like Cocoa Crispies)
Nature’s Path Whole O’s Cereal (Like Cheerios; I ground them up and use in place of bread crumbs in recipes).
Nature’s Path Crispy Rice Cereal (Like Rice Crispies)
Wellshire Farms Classic Turkey Bacon (Found at Whole Foods; it’s not organic but is free of antibiotics, nitrates, preservatives, etc…)
So Delicious Coconut Yogurt (Comes in tons of flavors, but the best bet for your money is the larger container that comes in vanilla or plain flavors).
Amande Cultured Almond Milk Yogurt (Comes in a variety of flavors that my kids LOVE. Beware if cross contamination is an issue - I believe it’s made on shared equipment with some dairy products).
Candy:
(We trade our daughter her Halloween loot for a variety of the below and she’s thrilled!)
Yummy Earth lollipops and gummy candy
Surf Sweets Candy (Whole Foods has several varieties including gummy bears and jelly beans)
Heavenly Organics Honey Pattie - Chocolate Mint (A better-than-perfect replacement for Junior Mints at the movies. Whole Foods carries a variety of flavors and they are reasonably priced at only $1.29 for a 3-pack).
Clif Bar Kid Organic Twisted Fruit Ropes (The GFCFSF answer to cherry licorice).
Justin’s Chocolate Hazelnut Butter Sqeeze Pack (These are messy but such a treat. Priced at $.78 to $.99, they are cheaper than buying a candy bar and won’t leave your child with the sugar highs and lows).
Desserts/Cookies, etc:
Coconut Bliss Ice Cream (Certain flavors only are GFCFSF; pricey but absolutely delicious for an occassional splurge).
Enjoy Life Soft Baked Cookies (Variety of flavors – my kids especially love the Snickerdoodle).
Pamela’s Ginger Snap Cookies (Nice and crunchy. One of the only in Pamela’s line that doesn’t contain soy).
Enjoy Life Chewy Bars (Our favorites are Cocoa Loco, Very Berry)
Katz Bakery Rugalech and Pies (These may be hard to find, so here is the website)
Let’s Do….Gluten Free Ice Cream Cones (Yes, even GFCFSF kids can celebrate summer with ice cream cones!)
Go-Go Squeeze Apple Sauce On-the-Go (The best deal on this is at Costco. All natural ingredients and the packaging is BPA free.)
Sun Maid Organic Raisins (If your kids think anything that comes out of a package is a super special treat, go with raisins. They are nutritious and so easy in the car. Just make sure to brush your kids’ teeth after!)
Baking:
Rumsford Aluminum Free Baking Powder
Kirkland Signature Pure Vanilla (or Adam’s Best from our regular grocery store)
Hershey’s Cocoa Powder, Natural Unsweetened
Madhava Organic Coconut Sugar (Unrefined sweetener that is lower on the glycemic index; we replace granulated sugar with it in every recipe).
Hain Iodized Sea Salt
Arrowhead Mills Gluten-Free Corn Meal
Bob’s Red Mill Brown Rice Flour
Bob’s Red Mill Tapioca Flour
Bob’s Red Mill Potato Starch
Apple cider vinegar (Combine 1 tbsp. with 1 cup of non-dairy milk to substitute “buttermilk” in recipes).
Spectrum Organics Palm Shortening, Butter Flavor (It’s non-hydrogenated and works like a charm when baking with butter is not an option).
Enjoy Life Mini Chocolate Chips or Chocolate Chunks
Let’s Do…Sprinkelz (GFCF cupcake sprinkles)
India Tree Sparkling Sugar (Found at Whole Foods, these make beautiful no-artificial-color additions to holiday shortbread cookies).
Cooking/Condiments:
Pacific Foods Organic Chicken Broth
Pacific Foods Organic Vegetable Broth
Extra Virgin Olive oil (for sauteing)
Grapeseed or Safflower oil (for baking)
Earth Balance Natural Soy Free Buttery Spread
Earth Balance Mindful Mayonnaise (soy free)
Heinz Organic Ketchup
Quick Meals for Kids:
(I’m not saying these are healthy, but sometimes a kid just needs to be a kid and eat some fish sticks and pizza!)
Udi’s pre-made pizza crust, tomato sauce and Daiya cheese (Ready in 10 minutes!)
Dr. Praeger’s Potato Crusted Fishies or Fish Sticks (These are a mainstay for us)
Applegate Farms Turkey or Chicken Deli Slices
Wellshire Chicken Franks (Found at Whole Foods, these are free of nitrates, preservatives, antibiotics, etc…)
Galaxy Foods Rice Vegan Cheddar-style Cheese Slices (Melts great for grilled cheese and is GFCFSF)
Daiya Shredded Cheese (They make a variety of flavors. I don’t get the appeal, but my kids love it, especially melted into cooked pasta with a little chicken broth. It’s their version of ”mac & cheese”).
Chips:
Kettle Chips (certain flavors)
Boulder Canyon Chips (certain flavors)
Ener-G Wylde Pretzels (Found at Sprouts, these are better than the real thing).
Popcornopolis ”Nearly Naked” Popcorn (Found at Costco, it’s non-GMO, gluten free and only made with corn, coconut oil and sea salt).
Tip: Since companies do change ingredients from time to time, it’s best to check labels frequently and contact the company directly if you have questions. Read allergen statements very carefully if cross-contamination is an issue.
Tip: Keep an eye out for sales and stock up every chance you get! If you have a Sprouts near you, they occasionally offer all gluten-free items at 25% off.
Note: Views expressed are those of GFCF Lunchbox. This is not a sponsored post in any way.
