Gluten Free Joy

You Heard Me!!

When people first hear “gluten-free,” they often think of expensive bread, tiny boxes of crackers, and specialty snacks that cost twice as much as the regular version (and sometimes more!!!)

But eating gluten-free does not have to look like that.

Some of the Cheapest Foods Are Already Gluten-Free

A lot of affordable foods are naturally gluten-free.

• Rice
• Beans
• Potatoes
• Eggs
• Corn tortillas (always check labels!)
• Vegetables
• Fruit

You do not need to replace every gluten-containing food with a special gluten-free version.

Instead, you can build meals around simple foods that were gluten-free to begin with.

Rice Can Become Almost Anything

One of my favorite examples is rice.

A bag of rice can become so many different meals.

You can add:

• Beans and salsa
• An egg and vegetables
• Chicken and sauce
• Leftovers from the refrigerator

Rice is simple, filling, and easy to change depending on what you already have.

Potatoes Are Another Budget-Friendly Favorite

Potatoes are inexpensive and can be used in so many ways.

You can:

• Bake them
• Mash them
• Roast them
• Make a loaded potato

Add cheese, beans, vegetables, meat, or whatever toppings you enjoy.

Don’t Forget About Beans

Beans are another great gluten-free budget food.

They are inexpensive, filling, and easy to keep in the pantry.

You can add them to rice bowls, tacos, soups, salads, or potatoes.

The Expensive Part Is Often the Replacement Foods

The cost of gluten-free shopping can start climbing when you try to recreate everything.

Gluten-free cookies.

Gluten-free frozen pizza.

Gluten-free crackers.

Gluten-free bread.

There is nothing wrong with buying these foods.

They just do not have to be the foundation of your diet.

Think of Specialty Gluten-Free Foods as Extras

I like to think of specialty gluten-free products as extras instead of necessities.

My basic grocery cart can still be full of ordinary food:

• Rice
• Beans
• Corn
• Potatoes
• Eggs
• Meat
• Fruit
• Vegetables

Then I can buy gluten-free bread, cookies, or snacks when I actually want them.

A Little Label Reading Still Matters

Eating gluten-free can require a little more planning.

It is important to check things like:

• Sauces
• Seasonings
• Oats
• Packaged foods
• Possible cross-contact with gluten

But that does not mean every meal needs an expensive package with GLUTEN-FREE written across the front.

Gluten-Free Can Still Be Simple

Sometimes the cheapest gluten-free food is simply food that never contained gluten in the first place.

Gluten-free eating does not always have to mean expensive substitutes.

Sometimes it is just rice, potatoes, beans, vegetables, and a little creativity.