Better than ever: 10 new gluten-free & free-from foods
In my house growing up, Fig Newtons were the one cookie my mom would actually buy (she thought they might be a little healthier than the Oreos my dad loved). So I’m glad that Pamela’s is coming out with a gluten-free version that tastes just as good, with that soft-crunchy outer cookie surrounding real fruit. Dairy free, and four yummy flavors.
The first flour-free waffles—amazing. Based on non-GMO soy, these tasty, certified vegan and gluten-free breakfast waffles are also free of yeast, egg, and lactose, with 9 grams protein and 6 grams fiber per serving. The flavor combos are tasty, too; I especially liked the Coconut Chia.
Another bar? But take another taste: These have 1,000 mg of real tea for antioxidant benefits you can taste. Plus they’re vegan, certified organic, and gluten free, dairy free, soy free, and GMO free. PLUS the company contributes 3% of profits to causes nominated by consumers. Every reason to love ‘em.
As gluten-free eaters know, licorice is one of those sneaky, “don’t eat this” foods. So I’m psyched that this company has cracked the code—the cherry licorice is super tasty, totally free of gluten, soy, corn, wheat, HFCS, and GMOs. They make great gluten-free caramels and fruit chews, too.
I’m a fan of these crunchy snacks, which are based on organic lentils in a wide variety of flavor combos. Though they make various mixes, the sprouted seasoned lentils have great free-from cred: no gluten, soy, corn, peanuts, eggs, or GMOs; other flavors do have nuts (almonds) but also offer other “superfood” ingredients like quinoa, goji berries, and coconut.
Be still my heart: a gluten-free puff pastry! Every GF eater I told about this went wide-eyed and asked where they could find it—NOW. Unfortunately they’re not available in retail just yet, but they’re working on it, with three products: franks in a blanket, chicken pot pie, and spanakopita. Perfect texture. Here’s hoping the company decides to sell the puff pastry by itself, too.
Who knew that dry ol' rice cakes could be so deliciously rehabilitated? I loved these Italian-made, gluten-free, non-GMO, trans-fat-free, HFCS-free, and yeast-free treats that come in large and snack size; they're covered in fine chocolate (the dark chocolate ones are vegan), orange-yogurt glaze, or strawberry-yogurt glaze. Only 5g sugar per big one—low enough to have two.
This is the second company I’ve seen that's making bean-based, gluten-free noodles (I’m already in love with Tolerant Foods). Explore Asian makes pasta from organic black beans, adzuki beans, mung beans, and soybeans, and they've added a terrific product to the line: gluten-free ramen bowls made with 82 percent organic ingredients and offering a whopping 20g protein and 12g fiber per serving. Products are undergoing the NonGMO Project Verified process, too.
I haven’t always loved Ian’s less-healthy ingredients, but I had to admit these were tasty, and I’m glad they use antibiotic- and hormone-free chicken and non-GMO canola oil. They’re also free of gluten, wheat, milk, casein, egg, soy, and nuts—a boon for newly diagnosed multiple-food-allergic kids.
At first I thought these Australia-made cereals looked too “conventional” to actually be healthy, but the banners grabbed my attention: “nut free, gluten free, wheat free, dairy free, egg free, soy free, yeast free, no artificial colors or flavors”—and an NonGMO Project Verified “in process” sign. Then I read the ingredient lists: clean, healthy foods, like garbanzos, buckwheat, and bananas. Then I tasted them—and that made me a believer. They are delicious. I predict this innovative line is going to give other less-healthy, gluten-free cereals a run for their money.
At first I thought these Australia-made cereals looked too “conventional” to actually be healthy, but the banners grabbed my attention: “nut free, gluten free, wheat free, dairy free, egg free, soy free, yeast free, no artificial colors or flavors”—and an NonGMO Project Verified “in process” sign. Then I read the ingredient lists: clean, healthy foods, like garbanzos, buckwheat, and bananas. Then I tasted them—and that made me a believer. They are delicious. I predict this innovative line is going to give other less-healthy, gluten-free cereals a run for their money.
The gluten-free market continues to soar as companies vie to create great-tasting, better-nutrient-profile foods to meet demand. Now, more companies are bundling "gluten free" with other food-allergy concerns, such as no soy, dairy, corn, eggs, nuts, or GMOs. Check out these 10 new products, seen at Natural Products Expo East 2013, that capitalize on gluten-free-plus claims.
About the Author(s)
You May Also Like