Where to Purchase Gluten Free Casein Free (GFCF) Foods and Some Favorite Brands?
If you live in a large city, especially in the land of fruits and nuts, where there are Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, Sprouts and health food stores all within five miles from your home, finding GFCF foods is not a problem. If you live in a tiny town, hundreds of miles from any large, or even medium sized communities, you have a much more difficult time purchasing GFCF foods. First let me discuss purchasing GFCF foods at the above-mentioned stores.
Whole Foods Market exists in thirty-nine states and D. C., with a few stores in the UK and Canada. Some states have ONE store, whereas some city’s have five. It varies due to supply and demand, and other needs. Whole Foods has an incredible array of GFCF foods to whet your appetite. They even have an online guide to the brands of GFCF foods found in their stores located at www.wholefoodsmarket.com/healthy-eating/special-diets [1]. Some stores even have printed copies upon entering, near the cash register, or ask for a copy at Customer Service.
Trader Joe’s is in over twenty states, with more locations being added all the time. They have a great GF list and a Vegan list, to find GFCF, read the labels and call, when in doubt. You can combine these two lists, yet Vegan also means egg free and animal product free, so it is casein free for sure. Their products are marked with a lower case “g” on the package and an upper case, “V” designating gluten free and Vegan. For their GF product list see www.traderjoes.com/dietary-lists/gluten-free [2], and for Vegan items see www.traderjoes.com/dietary-lists/vegan [3]. Keep in mind, if it is GF, it is not necessarily CF and if it is Vegan, it is not necessarily GF.
Sprouts, www.sprouts.com/ [4], are located in only four states, but they are expanding rapidly. The four states are: California, Texas, Arizona and Colorado. They have a huge assortment of GF items and a detailed guide in the stores of all their GF products. Read the label to see if they are CF, as well.
Wegmans Food Markets, www.wegmans.com [5], are located in five states on the east coast: New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia and Maryland. They only offer a GF list, but they do give some suggestions on their web site for CF, and look for special diets on their web site as well.
Many areas are popping up with GF stores and bakeries offering a variety of choices.
For those who do not live near any of these stores your best bet is to order GFCF foods online. Also look to see what stores are in your state, in case you do go on day trips and can stock up. Take a cooler with you to keep perishables fresh.
Here are some of the most popular online sites to purchase GFCF items.
When ordering online, remember to check for sales, coupons, and special sale events or savings. Some companies charge a flat fee for ordering food directly from them. Kinnikinnick is one such company that charges a flat $10 fee per order.
You can always do an online search for specific brands or just GFCF companies to compare shipping costs, special deals and products available.
It is wise to do an online search for health food stores in your area or gluten free stores/bakeries. You might find one in your town or the next town over.
Join some online support groups to find out good brand names and locations to purchase GFCF foods. Keep in mind everyone has different tastes, one man’s favorite could be another man’s least favorite.
Web site for support and information:
As stated above, everyone has different favorite foods, and now having been involved with GFCF foods and families who enjoy GFCF foods, I have compiled a list of items that seem to win the most votes on being some of the best.
Breakfast foods:
- Cereal: Nature’s Path EnviroKidz, Glutino
- Waffles: Van’s, Trader Joe’s
- French Toast: Glutino, Ian’s
- Breads/Buns/Muffins:
- Udi’s, Kinnikinnick, Food for Life, Ener-G
Snacks:
- Chips: Terra Chips, Lundberg Family Farms, Arico
- Pretzels: Glutino, Ener-G
- Snack Bars; BumbleBar, Arico, Larabar, Jocalat Bars, Enjoy Life, Clif Bar, Glutino
Meals:
- Chicken Nuggets: Garrett Farms, Ian’s Bell & Evan’s (black box)
- Hot dogs: Applegate Farms, Shelton’s
- Lunch Meat: Applegate Farms, Boar’s Head, Shelton’s
- Pasta: Tinkyada, Trader Joe’s, Orgran, DeBoles,
- Cheese alternatives: Daiya
- Yogurt: Ricera, Turtle Mountain
Desserts:
- Sorbet: Sharon’s, Haagen-Dazs, Ben & Jerry’s, Dreyer’s/Edy’s, Ciao Bella
- Ice Cream: Good Karma, FreeZees, Rice Dream, Turtle Mountain
- Pudding Mix: Dr. Oetker’s
- Cookies: Enjoy Life, Mi-Del, Nana’s, Ener-G, Kinnikinnick, Arico
- Cake, brownie, cookie mixes: Namaste, Gluten-Free Pantry, Bob’s Red Mill, Authentic Foods
Helpful Articles
- Ways to Advocate for Yourself While on a Special Diet [10]
- Self-Advocating While on a Special Diet [11]
- Staying Healthy with a Proper Diet [12]
- Ditch The Chemicals Start The Year Off Healthy [13]
- Most Popular Gluten Free/Casein Free Products and Where to Find Them [14]
- Taking Care of Your Child’s Special Food Needs [15]
- Eating Breakfast When You Are on a Special Diet [16]
- Family Fun Doesn’t Have to Stop Because of Special Diets [17]
- Handling a Special Diet at School [18]
- Special Diets: Food Allergies [19]
- How To Achieve A Healthy You [20]
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