Gluten Free on a budget! Is it possible?!

[figaromeetsmarie]

We just found out that DD needs to be on a gluten free diet. Went to whole foods and WOW Sticker Shock!!

Any ideas for gluten free on a budget?!

Thanks

 

[mjkacmom]

The easiest way is to stay away from processed food. My sister's ds is allergic to wheat, and my dd7 was recently diagnosed with celiac. I can believe how the prices have come down! That $8 box of pasta is now less than $4! I love my neuro fuzzy Japanese rice cooker - my kids LOVE how the rice comes out. I use it almost every day. Rice, oatmeal, polenta - it's great. I do buy gluten free bread, waffles, pasta (you can make mac and cheese with corn starch), and some snacks. There are so many cereals that are gluten free, and snacks are easy (popcorn, corn chips, potato chips). My biggest problem is packing her lunch - today I'm giving her salad.

 

[Traveliz]

To be honest I always tell my husband if you have to ask how much it costs you can't afford to be gluten free.

Keeping it simple with meats, fruits and vegetables is the easiest way to stay on budget being gluten free but gluten free "bread" and "pasta" products are going to be 4-6x what you would pay for the standard item.

That said we find our local Kroger's often has the items marked down on the reduced table and we just buy in bulk then. My husband has finally found a bread mix he likes to make but I think it's still as expensive as buying the bread all ready made.

It just is expensive.

Liz

 

[Bilberry]

I eat a gluten free low carb/ paleo diet. Basically, I just eat vegetables, fruits, meats and nuts. I stay away from the pricy rice, corn, or other gluten free breads. Their not all that healthy so don't feel like I'm missing out.

If looking for eating ideas, you might check out professor Cordain's blog.

http://thepaleodiet.blogspot.com/

 

[eeyore65]

My MIL is gluten free and boy does my grocery bill go up when she stays with us for a few weeks.

Like others have said, I find it is cheaper and better to not try and use substitute products but find recipes that just don't have gluten. I have a really good flourless chocolate cookie recipe and another for peanut butter cookies. I also make flourless chocolate cake and flan for desserts for her. For pasta, I use asian rice noodles and do pad thai (you need gluten free soy sauce.) For sauces, I usually make all from scratch using cornstarch. She is always with us for Thanksgiving and I have come up with a really delicious gravy using pureed caramelized onions.

Whole foods is a great but expensive source for times you just have to have bread or pizza or rolls. And I agree that the prices and choices have come way down from where they were. It has been great for her that this has become so mainstream. Makes it much easier to eat out.

 

[tzolkin]

If you can make your own foods instead of purchasing the pre-made items or mixes it will be comparable to eating a "regular" diet.

My mom has tinkered with various recipies and combinations of different types of flours. She keeps big jars with gluten free mixes in them for making bread, pancakes, etc. My dad (celiac) rarely eats bread anyway, so my mom will make a few loaves, slice them, and freeze them once a month or so and he can just pull out a few slices when he needs them.

 

[Traveliz]

My MIL is gluten free and boy does my grocery bill go up when she stays with us for a few weeks.

Like others have said, I find it is cheaper and better to not try and use substitute products but find recipes that just don't have gluten. I have a really good flourless chocolate cookie recipe and another for peanut butter cookies. I also make flourless chocolate cake and flan for desserts for her. For pasta, I use asian rice noodles and do pad thai (you need gluten free soy sauce.) For sauces, I usually make all from scratch using cornstarch. She is always with us for Thanksgiving and I have come up with a really delicious gravy using pureed caramelized onions.

Whole foods is a great but expensive source for times you just have to have bread or pizza or rolls. And I agree that the prices and choices have come way down from where they were. It has been great for her that this has become so mainstream. Makes it much easier to eat out.

This is so true - when my husband was first diagnosed (almost thirty years ago) there were no choices in the stores at all - well a few items in health food stores. I ordered food for him from ENER-G .

It is so much easier nowadays.

Liz

 

[geffric]

If you can make your own foods instead of purchasing the pre-made items or mixes it will be comparable to eating a "regular" diet.

QUOTE]

yep the more you make, the better off you are .. and it is way cheaper.. also there is a book called my child is allergic to everything.. the recipes arent that great but there are charts for substituions that are wonderful..

 

[luvdzny]

My daughter's fiance is living with us and he has Celiacs. I have learned a lot since he has been here! Bob's Red Mill has a gluten free flour that I use a lot, and I make gravy with corn starch instead of flour. I use "Better Than Bouillon" a gluten free alternative to bouillon cubes for a lot of things. Betty Crocker has GF cake brownie & cookie mixes; they are expensive but we all love them. I order Pamela's products from Amazon.com, if you use the Subscribe & Save feature you can save 10% and receive free shipping, this is the cheapest way I have found so far. This website has helped a lot with recipes: http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/
The best bread we have found is "Udi's" it actually tastes like bread but it is expensive. I buy rice pasta and use the recipe for macaroni & cheese that is on the Velveeta box, you can hardly tell the difference.
Good luck, I know it can be expensive but it is not as hard as I thought it would be.

 

[CoP Luv]

DH cannot eat Gluten, Sugar or Starch! I agree with pp's who say to make a lot of your own food instead of buying 'gluten-free' products.

We have learned a lot about this but my two favorite websites for recipes are:

Comfy Belly
Heal-Balance-Live

 

[figaromeetsmarie]

Thank you so much guys!!