So, you’ve just been told that you have celiac disease. Well, step off of that ledge my friend, it’s going to be okay. Read on for my favourite gluten free products!

How to Survive Celiac Disease: Best Gluten Free Products

Let me preface this by saying that I am not a doctor nor any type of medical professional. This is not meant as medical advice. These are my opinions and some of my favourite foods. If you have any questions please refer to your medical professional.

My doctor told me when people first receive a diagnosis they often cry. I get that. I didn’t cry then, but the first time I went grocery shopping after finding out, I could barely keep the tears at bay. Wandering through aisle after aisle of ALL THE THINGS I COULD NO LONGER EAT! Wondering “What in the actual H$#@ will I eat?” If I hadn’t been in public, oh how the tears would have flown.

The good news is, after a period of adjustment, it’s all good again. Sure I will never again eat a flakey croissant but amazingly, you can be happy living a life sans French pastry. Hard to believe, but true my friend. {Update!! I have found excellent GF croissants!! Purchase at Joanie’s Pastries in London Ont. and made from Boulangerie Le Marquis in Quebec. You can also purchase Le Marquis puff pastry at Boon Bakery in Owen Sound Ontario, so do some internet searching and see if you can’t find a croissant near you}

You will find the things you like, which brands you prefer, how to bake with GF flours and all will become normal. And I am here to help. I’m going to give you a list of our favourites (my daughter is celiac as well). We have soldiered through crappy, crumbly breads, breads that (strangely) stick to your teeth and lots of other poor choices to come out on the other side with loads of suggestions to save you the trouble. Now our favourites may not be yours but it’s a great place to start.

My late and wonderful Aunt Shirley was also celiac and when she found out that my daughter and I were as well, she couldn’t wait to show me the best of gluten free. I remember her pulling things out of her freezer and telling me “Oh, this one’s so good”. She started us off on the right foot (feet?) with not only good food suggestions but her positive attitude. I am so grateful for her attitude which reminds me of how blessed I am to be living gluten free at this time. My poor aunt and others like her didn’t have the option of store-bought GF goods. She made things from scratch and with limited flour options (rice flour, bleck) and this before the age of bread makers. Can you imagine? We have it so easy now. This may not resonate with you if you’ve just been diagnosed, but I hope it soon will.

A couple of warnings: Smarties (Canadian Smarties ie chocolate in candy wrapping) are NOT gluten free! Neither is licorice (including red ie Twizzlers). Oh my sad and bewildered friends, sorry but this is true. These ones seem to surprise everyone. On a happy note M&M’s are A-okay. Also be aware of alcohol. Beer is out, unless it is GF of course and I don’t drink anything made of any grain or (obviously) containing malt. “They” say it’s safe but they aren’t the ones with intestinal damage. Also, little known fact, booze is not necessarily made with the traditional ingredient. Take vodka for example, made of potatoes you say, perfectly safe. Well guess what? Lots of companies use grain now. I suggest a little time with my friend google.

One further thing, beware that companies sometimes change their recipes. We were glutenized by eating sausages. We were so happy when we found a brand without flour or bread crumbs and then without warning they started to make us sick. The company had been bought out and they changed the recipe. Actually, the company being bought out should have tipped me off, but they were still sold under the old name and I didn’t check the ingredients until they made us sick. So be careful and trust your gut (sad celiac joke)

Regarding Restaurants: Find me gluten free app will help you find restaurants near you.

So without further ado, here are a list of our favourite gluten free products:

• Bread- my daughter loves the Udi’s White, I like a multigrain and eat President’s Choice multigrain (pictured above, centre) We have recently discovered Little Northern Bake House bread which is a normal size and is our new favourite
• Cookies- 1. President’s Choice Oatmeal Raisin and Chocolate Chip (bakery section) 2. GoGo Quinoa Dark Chocolate Chip (organic and free of many allergens). 3. Schar Chocolate Honeygrams, these make great s’mores (pictured above, top right) 4. Enjoy Life Soft Baked Snickerdoodles 5. Annie’s Homegrown Cocoa and Vanilla Bunny Cookies. We are also anxiously awaiting the release of GF Oreos. Can-not-wait!
• Pasta-Catelli (GF)
• Flour- President’s Choice All Purpose GF Flour (pictured above, front centre)
• English muffin- Glutino
• Doughnuts- kinnikinnick, several flavours, yum!
• Crackers- Schar Crackers (soda biscuit style) and Schar Entertainment Crackers (Ritz type). Breton Gluten free crackers (these don’t break the bank, are easy to find and come in 2 flavours) Breton with Flax seed pictured above, top left
• Wraps- Toufayan, we found these at the health food store and they are the only ones we have found that don’t crumble and defeat their own purpose
• Cereal- sugary kid cereal Trix Fruity Shapes (taste like Fruit Loops)
• Cereal- Cinnamon Chex and GF Rice Crispies, try the GF section of your store for more.
• Muffins- Udi’s and O’Doughs, both make blueberry and double chocolate
• Biscuit Mix- GF Bisquick
• Cake Mix- President’s Choice GF Pound Cake Mix, Betty Crocker GF Mixes
• Breaded Chicken- M&M Food Mart GF Country Style Chicken Breast, we love the spice mix in the breading!
• Chicken Fingers- President’s Choice Gluten Free Chicken Strips
• Pizza- Freezer Pizza, Udi’s; Take-out, Domino’s GF (Although many are good, we like this the best. Try a few to find your favourite)
• M&M Food mart is a great source for gluten-free as well. They will sometimes have a printed list at the counter, but their website has a gluten-free tab that is very helpful

If you found this helpful, you may also like

How to Survive Celiac Disease- Part Two, Our Favourite Gluten-Free Baked Good Recipes