The world of gluten free products is quite vast.  Fortunately, there are many fantastic foods available.  Unfortunately, there are also some very…ummm…yucky foods out there as well.  When our family first went gluten free we realized not all gluten free foods are created equal.  So as not to get discouraged we didn’t dwell on the not-so-tasty.  Our rule was:  Try it.  If it tastes bad pitch it and move on.

In the beginning we tried many different brands.  Remembering what was good and what was not was a main concern.  So we started keeping the packaging off of all new foods that we tried.  We keep them rubber banded together in a drawer in the kitchen and we write what we liked or disliked about them right on the package.  A quick check through the packages and our memory is quickly jogged as to what we’d like to remember to pick up and what we’d like to forget.

Following are some our favorites.  We do not receive advertising dollars from any of these manufacturers.  These are simply things we really enjoy.  As recipes do change, always check with manufacturers and labels to be sure their products are gluten free.

• Gluten Free Sensations makes a wonderful cookie mix.  Although it is sold as a chocolate chip cookie mix, you can add any sort of chip or even M&Ms for more variety.  http://www.glutenfreesensations.com

• Kids with Celiac Disease by Danna Korn – A great book for the parents of a newly diagnosed child or even for more seasoned parents who could use a boost.  Danna presents things clearly and easily in an incredibly positive and uplifting manner.  This book was a tremendous help to us not only in giving us facts but also in helping our mental outlook on life with Celiac Disease.

• Lara Bars – These healthy snack bars come in a wide variety of flavors.  Personal preference is big when it comes to Lara Bars. 

• Mrs. Mays Nut Crunch products

• Pamela’s Pancake and Baking Mix

• Ancient Harvest Quinoa Pasta

• Kinnikinnick cake mixes – We use these mixes regularly.  Non-Celiacs can never tell the difference between traditional cakes and these cakes.

• Kinnikinnick frozen donuts

• Gluten Free Pantry Sandwich Bread Mix – This bread is great for peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and French toast.  We slice cooled but freshly baked loaves, wrap in pairs with a piece of plastic wrap (be sure to put part of wrap between slices so they don’t stick together), and freeze in Ziploc freezer bag.  For school lunches I make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches on frozen slices, and they are thawed by lunch time. 

• Lays Stax Potato Crisps

• Bell & Evans Gluten Free Frozen Breaded Chicken – Nuggets, patties, or tenders

• Amy’s Gluten Free Mac & Cheese

• Hormel Gluten Free Deli Meats (sold pre-packaged)

• Mrs. Leeper’s boxed dinner mixes (like "Hamburger Helper")

• FruitaBu fruit snack products

• Cliff Kids fruit twists