Is Following A Gluten Free Diet Too Expensive?

One concern that you may have when you start a gluten free menu in order to rid yourself of unwanted belly fat or to remove gluten sensitivity symptoms is that following a specialized diet is too expensive. That’s a valid concern. If you’ve been to the grocery store lately you can see that many food costs are on the rise while our income levels are staying, well, level. I’m all for spending the least amount of money you can on food so that you can have the resources for the other important things in your life. However, spending wisely on the right food choices so that you can experience optimal health is not only possible, but crucial to an overall healthy lifestyle.

Let me show you why following a gluten free menu may actually save you some money over what you are eating now.

Many of the foods which contain gluten are packaged and processed. Because they are wheat or grain based they are the types of foods that are easily stored in bulk. This makes them abundant; however, does it make them the best choices for your health?

Back in 1999 the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) estimated that a family of four can eat at home at cost of $95.00 to $185.00 per week. Over ten years later you can still do that. The obstacle that most people have is that there are now so many processed and pre-made food choices and our lives are hectic so it’s easiest reach for those more expensive type of meals that do a little planning and cooking on your own.

I would argue that by cooking a few more meals at home you can have better control over a gluten free menu and a full array of healthy choices. Making your own stir-fry rather than purchasing a ready-made frozen variety allows you to be in control of what goes into your food and what goes into your body. Have you ever really considered the amount of sodium that you are ingesting, cumulatively, over the course of a day?

And don’t let the idea of pre-planning or cooking homemade meals scare you off. It’s amazing how much food you can freeze or store with the help of a vacuum sealer. If you are making one pan of spinach lasagna, why not make two and freeze the second one for later. By removing much of the air during storage you can keep your gluten free menu choices fresh. They will be ready to grab and go, just like the stuff that’s in your grocery freezer aisle; however, you know what’s in your gluten free homemade meal and it’s better for your body.

Just consider this one easy example. If you love to have banana bread at breakfast since you no longer need cereal on your gluten free menu, then you can make several loaves at the same time and freeze what you are not eating immediately for future use. If you purchase over ripe bananas at the store they are usually less expensive and perfect for gluten free banana bread. Once they are baked and cooled, you can wrap them in wax paper and then seal in a storage bag or a vacuum sealer. Later, just pull a loaf from the freezer, defrost and enjoy.

There are also gluten free sources that will sell their selections for your gluten free menu in bulk, thus reducing the cost. Be sure to check out the sources for a great banana bread recipe and ideas on where to buy gluten free food.

Dawn Damico is a Research Diva. With a wide range of interests she is always ready to dig to the depths of any subject, get to the meat of it, and then deliver it in a comprehensive manner. Healthy Living is her passion and that includes Food, Fitness, Finances, Family and Fun. After discovering all the benefits of a clean diet with great tasting food choices, she was thrilled to discover the added benefit of sexy gluten free abs. Discover more about Gluten Free living and receive a free Gluten Free Starter Menu by clicking through to: http://WhyBuyGlutenFree.com

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Gluten Free Snacks

Raspberry & Apple Muffins - Gluten Free Snacks

Gluten Free Snacks - Raspberry & Apple Muffins

SEVENTEEN Healthy Gluten Free Snacks on the Run

Finding ideas for yummy gluten free snacks can be a bit of a task, especially when you are new to the gluten free lifestyle. Or, perhaps you’ve got into your rhythm of gluten free snacks and meals and now looking for some new ideas?

Either way, here is a list below of seventeen gluten free snack ideas you can add to your culinary repertoire:

1.    Fruche (Most varieties)
2.    Le Rice (Most varieties)
3.    Cheese and Rice crackers*
4.    Fresh fruit
5.    Gluten free muesli bar
6.    Beef jerky (home-made)
7.    Small can of baked beans* (check label)
8.    Small tin of tuna in spring water (most flavoured varieties contain wheat flour)
9.    Rice cakes* with cream cheese and jam; peanut butter; butter & honey
10.    Gluten free muffin – home-made and freeze: defrosts in a minute! Many stores now provide gluten free muffins.
11.    Sushi – without the soy sauce. Avoid the teriyaki chicken, crab sticks (imitation, and contain wheat flour) and marinated meats. Go for salmon, tuna, avocado, egg.
12.    Small dip* (check label. Many varieties are gluten free) with rice crackers*
13.    Hard-boiled egg
14.    Vegetable crudités with cottage cheese
15.    Plain nacho chips* with salsa*
16.    Fresh fruit smoothie
17.    Banana milkshake, try adding mango, plain yoghurt or vanilla ice cream*

‘*’ denotes beware; check the ingredients label

•   Rice crackers are not necessarily gluten free. Many contain wheat or barley in the flavouring. Be sure to read the ingredients label. If in doubt, search for the packets which state “Gluten Free”.

•   Try the flavoured (gluten free) rice crackers for dips

•   The ‘sea salt’ and ‘cracked pepper’ (SA-KA-TA) are delicious with cheese

•   Rice cakes may contain gluten within the product, such as barley or may be made on shared equipment with other foods containing gluten. Check the label.

•  There are many varieties of nacho chips on the market. Guaranteed that most of the flavourings will contain gluten (unless specified ‘gluten free’) Go for plain nacho chips or corn chips.

•   Many varieties of ice cream are gluten free. If in doubt go for plain. ALWAYS check the ingredients label. Note: sorbet’s can often contain wheat.

DISCLAIMER: The information and advice contained on this post is intended as a general guide to a wheat and gluten free diet and are not specific to the individuals or their particular circumstances. Neither the author nor the publisher can be held responsible for claims arising from the inappropriate use or misuse of the recommendations in the publication or the failure to obtain or take appropriate medical advice.