1. Shopping reference – A gluten free foods list is extremely helpful when it comes time to go grocery shopping. If you keep your list organized by store and by aisle, you will see how quickly you can accomplish your regular shopping trip. Some people choose to have an online list as well so that it’s easy to order all the gluten free foods that are not available locally.
2. Keep track of favorites – With so many great gluten free products being introduced, it’s a good idea to keep track of which brands and items your family enjoys. You can even rate the items on your list. One way to get really organized is to use a spreadsheet program like Microsoft Excel and have columns for brand, item, store you buy it from, price and rating. No matter how you keep track of it, having a list of gluten free foods will help you know what you like – and also help you determine which products you have yet to try.
3. Share with friends and family – If you are invited to dinner at a friend’s home, it’s nice to have a list of gluten free foods that you can share with them. Most people are happy to accommodate special dietary needs. With a list of gluten free food that works for a gluten free diet, your host or hostess will be well equipped to create a wonderful meal that works for everyone.
4. Keep motivated – Having a huge list of gluten free foods that are OK to eat can be motivating. Any time you feel deprived or that you wish you could eat wheat, looking at your list will help you realize just how much food you CAN eat while staying healthy. A well built list can really serve to remind you how much variety is possible while remaining gluten free.
5. Dining out – If you can bring a list of gluten free foods with you to a local family restaurant, chances are the chef can prepare an amazing meal for you – completely gluten free. More and more restaurants are realizing how important it is to be sensitive to dietary requirements. With a helpful list, you will make it much easier for the restaurant to help you.

Even if you find only one of these 5 reasons helpful, the time you spend creating the list will be well worth it.

Sources for Easy Gluten Free Appetizers
There are a few ways you can approach putting together great appetizers. The first is to find ready-made gluten free appetizers. The second is to research a few gluten free appetizers recipes. Each method has it’s own set of benefits.

If you’re in a rush then finding ready-made appetizers will likely be your best bet. The best place to get gluten free appetizers from is a local gluten free bakery. If you can give them a few days notice you will be able to place a special order. Gluten free bakeries are particularly helpful for making items to go along with dips and spreads. Gluten free crostini or crackers are ideal with salmon spread or hummus.

Another option is to make gluten free appetizers yourself. Many gluten free recipes are quick and easy to follow and don’t require a lot of advanced preparation. A little bit of smoked salmon, some cream cheese and a few diced green onions will make a terrific salmon spread that can be used on veggies, crackers or gluten free breads or bagels. Experiment with a new appetizer recipe each time and before you know it you’ll have a stack of favorites you can turn to anytime you need to prepare appetizers in a hurry.

Asking Friends and Family
If you’re holding a party and asking people to contribute a dish, you can always provide a gluten free appetizer recipe and ask friends or family to follow it. Or give basic guidelines on what works in a gluten free diet and what doesn’t. If you’re attending an event at another person’s home you can offer to bring the appetizer. Likely no one will ever know it was gluten free!

Gluten Free Appetizer Ideas
If you’re trying to decide what to make, here are a few ideas:

• Baked Brie
• Smoked Salmon Mousse
• Hummus and Gluten Free Crackers
• Stuffed Dates
• Grilled Mushrooms
• Artichoke Dip
• Candied Pecans
• Basil Shrimp
• Fresh Salsa and Tortilla Chips
• Buffalo Chicken Wings

Gluten free appetizers can be easy, fun and delicious. With a little bit of notice a gluten free bakery can help you out – or prepare your own! The internet is an amazing source of terrific recipes. Even if you don’t have a house full of people to feed, why not try a few appetizers with your own family for fun this week?

Benefits of a Gluten Free Bread Machine
One of the best things about a bread machine is the labor that it saves. If you combine the time-savings of a bread machine with gluten free bread machine mix, you’ll be amazed how easily you can have freshly baked gluten free bread in your own kitchen.

What to Look for in a Gluten Free Bread Machine
Most gluten free bread can be made with any kind of bread machine, as long as you use it exclusively for gluten free bread. Don’t make a loaf of wheat bread for friends and family and then use the same machine for gluten free baking.

Here are some features that you should keep your eye out for when shopping for a bread machine:

• Gluten free mode (this can be helpful as gluten free breads do not need to be kneaded as much as wheat containing breads).
• Programmable
• Keep Warm setting
• Bake Only – If you like to knead and create your dough by hand.
• Dough Mode – Combines and kneads but doesn’t bake. This can be helpful for pizza dough.
• Rapid Bake – This can be a great setting for gluten free bread mixes. It cuts out steps and produces great gluten free bread.
• Double paddles – Machines with double paddles tend to mix the ingredients a bit better but they are more expensive.

There is also a gluten free bread machine on the market specifically made for gluten free baking. Bready is a combination of machine (they call it a robot) and mixes. Put in a mix, add yeast and liquids and hit the start button. Bready will bake breads and gluten free cakes. The machine and 4 mixes runs about $300 with additional mixes running about $7 each.

A great way to evaluate which machine to go with is to read gluten free bread machine reviews. Find out what other consumers think of the Bready system versus traditional bread machines. The one drawback to the Bready is that you’re limited to using their mixes. With a regular bread machine you can use any combination of ingredients which may provide for more flexibility.

Shopping for Gluten Free Candy
If you go to the local grocery store, you may be disheartened in your search for gluten free candy. Unless it’s specifically labeled, how can you tell what is gluten free and what isn’t? While many companies use ingredients that don’t contain gluten, sometimes the packaging process DOES. (Some manufacturers coat their products in a gluten containing powder so it doesn’t stick to the packaging.) If you do shop locally, do some research ahead of time to determine which brands and individual products are gluten free.

The simplest way to find a great selection of gluten free candy is to shop online. From organic hard candy to gluten free candy corn, you’re likely to find what you’re looking for. There are several great merchants, even organic gluten free candy companies who have a terrific selection of gluten free candies to choose from. Since the internet is an easier place to post information than the local supermarket, these online gluten free candy stores are able to provide complete details.

Large Candy Companies – Gluten Free Candy List
Here is a partial list of the larger candy companies and the products that they currently list as gluten free. Manufacturing processes can change regularly, so please check all labels or call the manufacturer directly to verify.

Hershey’s – Hershey’s doesn’t provide a full gluten free list of their products. However, they do state that they will list all wheat, rye, barley, malt and oats ingredients on their labels and will disclosed shared equipment processes. Currently only Hershey’s Kisses and the 1.55 ounce milk chocolate and milk chocolate with almond bars are disclosed by the company as being gluten free. Call Hershey’s at 800-468-1714.

Nestle – Nestle offers a good selection of gluten free candy. Here is the current list: Milk chocolate bar, Baby Ruth, Bit-O-Honey, Butterfinger (only the original candy bar, not the spin off products), Goobers, Nips, Oh Henry!, Raisinets and Sno-Caps. Call Nestle  at 800-225-2270.

Mars – Are M&M’s gluten free? You bet! All varieties except the pretzel M&M’s do not contain gluten. Whew! Snickers and and Dove chocolate candies are also reported to be gluten free. Call Mars at 800-627-7852.

The best way to determine if your favorite candy is gluten free is to call the manufacturer. Most companies have a list they can share with you.

Ready Made Gluten Free Cheesecakes
If you’re lucky enough to have a gluten free bakery nearby, chances are you can pick up a specialty cheesecake that is also gluten free. A few grocery store bakeries are also carrying a selection of gluten free baked goods and occasionally offer gluten free cheesecakes. The brand Pamela’s is now offering a gluten free cheesecake that some grocery stores carry in their frozen foods section.

Homemade Gluten Free Cheesecakes
Fortunately, most cheesecake filling recipes are already gluten free. The area you’re likely to have trouble with is finding a gluten free cheesecake crust. The traditional cheesecake crust is made from graham crackers. Making gluten free graham crackers from scratch just to use in a crust can be a daunting task. There is a simpler method!

This gluten free cheesecake crust recipe is adapted from Bette Hagman’s “The Gluten Free Gourmet Bakes Dessert”.

• 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
• 2 cups of gluten free baking mix (experiment with a few brands to find your favorite)
• 2/3 cup butter, cut into small pieces and well chilled
• 1 cup pecan pieces or chopped pecans

The easiest method to make this crust is to combine the sugar and baking mix in a food processor. Then, using the pulse mode on the food processor, add the butter and pulse until small crumbs form. Add the nuts and pulse until blended but don’t over do it. Pat the mixture into the bottom of your spring form pan. It will seem crumbly but will stay together once the cheesecake batter is added. Use any cheesecake filling recipe you desire!

Few gluten free foods are as delicious as gluten free cheesecake. Once you’ve found a filling you love you can try lots of variations. A New York style cheesecake can be dressed up with lemon zest and blueberry sauce. Or try chocolate drizzles and shavings as a cheesecake topping.

Cheesecake also freezes remarkably well. If you spend an afternoon making a few cheesecakes you can store them for later. For best results, freeze your whole cheesecake for a few hours until firm but not frozen solid. Then carefully slice the cheesecake into individual servings and then freeze them in individual containers or baggies. To defrost just let them warm to room temperature. Then you can enjoy gluten free cheesecake whenever the desire strikes!

Brands of Gluten Free Crackers
While it’s a good idea to be aware of the different brands available, there’s no reason to stick with just one brand. It’s a good idea to try several brands and varieties to determine which suits your palette best. You may decide that you like Crunchmaster crackers with cheese and Glutino crackers with salmon spread. It’s all a matter of taste!

Crunchmaster gluten free crackers – Crunchmaster only makes crackers! Whether for that reason or just because of the  combination of ingredients they use, their gluten free crackers are amazing. Their varieties include multi-seed, baked rice, multi-grain crisps and multi-grain crackers. All are available at local supermarkets and club stores like Sams Club or Costco.

Glutino gluten free crackers – Glutino is a wonderful supplier of a huge variety of gluten free foods. In their line of crackers they offer plain, cheddar, multi grain, vegetable and table crackers. They also create other snacks like pretzels and breadsticks. All of Glutino’s products are made with the highest quality and are worth trying.

Homemade Gluten Free Crackers
In addition to finding great gluten free crackers at your local grocery store, why not make your own? If you have some extra time, gluten free crackers are a great thing to make and they allow for unlimited experimentation. Once you’ve mastered a basic recipe, you can add your own blend of spices, seeds and herbs. Homemade gluten free crackers are also significantly less expensive than store bought crackers and are often more tasty.

Gluten free cracker recipes are available from a variety of sources. Most flour manufacturers, like Bob’s Red Mill will provide cracker recipes for their flours. Here is one for Saltine gluten free crackers. Remember to have ingredients on hand if you plan on doing a fair bit of gluten free baking.

Gluten free crackers are a must in your pantry. They’re perfect for grab-and-go snacks or for entertaining guests. If you have kids in the house you’ll likely have a hard time keeping the crackers stocked! Try a few brands from the store or experiment with making your own gluten free crackers. Why not make up a few batches this holiday season and bundle them with a selection of cheeses and give them as gifts?

Get Organized
The first step is to create a list of gluten foods so you know what to watch out for.This gluten foods list will serve as a reference for you and you should add to it as you discover more foods or ingredients that contain gluten. In addition to your gluten foods list, yo should create a non gluten foods list that can function as your shopping list. As you find gluten free products that you enjoy, add to your list. Over time this list will become your primary shopping guide.

Plan Ahead
If you want to make sure that you know which gluten foods to avoid in tough situations like restaurants and social events, do your homework ahead of time. Think about what you’ll order from a restaurant while staying gluten free. If you’re invited to dinner be sure to let the host or hostess know about your dietary requirements (why not share your non gluten food list with them?) and ask if you can bring a gluten free dish. Most people run into trouble following a gluten free lifestyle when they don’t plan ahead and find themselves in a situation where there are no gluten free options.

Keep a Positive Attitude
Changing your eating habits can be difficult. It takes perseverance and dedication over a long period of time before eating strictly gluten free will feel natural. The key is to keep a positive attitude. Remember that most food is naturally gluten free. There are only a few gluten containing grains – and now there are substitutes for most products that would normally not be allowed. Any time you feel discouraged, think about how you feel when you eat gluten and how much better your health is when you don’t. Also think about all the amazing gluten free options available in the supermarkets today. From gluten free cakes and cookies to breads and pancakes there really isn’t anything that can’t be made as a non gluten food. You can even make your own bread with a gluten free bread machine.

The key to avoiding gluten foods is to stay organized, keep a positive outlook and do a bit of planning before you’re in a situation you’re not certain of. The health benefits are well worth the investment of time and effort.

Gluten Free Snacks for Kids
Since most food is gluten free, finding gluten free snacks for kids doesn’t have to be difficult. Here are a few ideas of snacks that are naturally gluten free:

• Sliced apple with cheese or peanut butter
• Vegetable sticks
• Fruit salad with coconut
• Gluten free oatmeal with cinnamon and brown sugar
• Popcorn
• Corn chips and salsa

Easy Gluten Free Snacks
Some of the easiest snacks are simply whole foods like a banana or a bunch of grapes. It doesn’t get much simpler than that. There are other wonderful snack options that require just a touch more work. Here is a list of gluten free snacks that will be easy to prepare:

• Gluten free muffins, made from a gluten free mix
• Cinnamon toast, made from gluten free bread
• Chocolate pieces and fresh strawberries
• Tortilla chips with bean dip
• Hard boiled egg with salt and pepper
• Trail mix: cashews, chocolate pieces, raisins, sunflower seeds, pecans and almonds

The best way to have gluten free snacks on hand is to do a bit of preparation in advance. Put together some snacks in big batches. Snacks like trail mix and hard boiled eggs are simple to prepare in weekly batches. When you purchase a bag of corn chips, divide up the bag into smaller ziplock bags in portion sizes so they’re easy to grab and go. For special treats, consider having a small stock of gluten free candy.

If you find that you’re frequently in the car when hunger strikes, keep a car snack pack with  snacks that don’t require refrigeration like gluten free crackers and dried fruit. Just remember to replenish your supply if you deplete it when you’re out and about.

Expand your Horizons
When you do your regular grocery shopping, keep your eye out for gluten free products you can incorporate into your regular snack routine. Variety can make life interesting so why not try a few new snacks each month (or more often)?

Gluten Free Products
The first step is to create a list of gluten free foods. You’ll find that you’ll refer to this list again and again. You can use it as a shopping list, send it to friends and family to help them learn about your dietary requirements or take it with you when you go to restaurants. Here are a few types of gluten free products:

• Breads
• Cookies
• Cakes
• Muffins
• Pancakes
• Pastas
• Baking Mixes
• Condiments
• Beer and Alcohol
• Baking Supplies – Flour, baking powder, baking soda, chocolate chips, etc.
• Gluten free oats

Organizing Your List
There are a few methods you can use to organize your list. Here are a few suggestions:

• Organize by grocery aisle. This is a great way to speed up your shopping. If there is a particular store you prefer to shop at, organize your list in the same order as the aisles. You’ll find that this method of organization will greatly speed up your shopping trip. You can allso add your regular grocery items to the same list and you will cut your shopping time down. The only drawback to this method is that you’ll probably just want to list your favorites on this list so it won’t be a comprehensive list.
• Organize by food type. Some folks like to know all the gluten free products that are available in each category. For example, all the gluten free crackers and bread brands might be listed together. This is a good way to organize if you want to create a complete list of gluten free products. Categories might include breads and bread products, cookies, cakes, condiments, gluten free snacks and pastas.
• Organize by brand. Some find that they do most of their shopping online and having all products organized by brand speeds up the ordering process.

No matter how you organize your list, you’ll have an easier time of it if you do it on the computer. By starting an electronic list you can update it on a regular basis and change the sorting method anytime.

Once you’ve created and organized your gluten free products list you’ll come to depend on it. Be sure to update it as you discover new products. The investment in time will be well worth it as you create your own extremely valuable resource to gluten free products.

Wheat Free or Gluten Free?
If you buy a wheat free bread, that doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s gluten free. On the other hand, if you buy gluten free bread, it will certainly be wheat free. Labeling makes all the difference, so if you’re following a gluten free diet, you’ll need to choose a bread that is gluten free not just free of wheat. If you’re OK with gluten and are following a wheat free diet, then you may have little bit wider selection.

Wheat Free Bread Brands
As you look for wheat free bread, you’ll start to discover that certain brands are better than others. You may also notice that a company that makes wheat free bread also offers wheat free or gluten free varieties of other products as well. The best way to determine which brand you prefer is to try as many as you can. Note that some breads make great sandwiches while others you may prefer as toast. Here are a few brands to get you started:

• Food for Life – Offers a selection of wheat free and gluten free breads. From gluten free english muffins to several varieties of wheat and gluten free breads you’re sure to find something you’ll like. They’ve even got gluten free tortillas!
• Enjoy Life Foods – Enjoy life makes gluten free (and therefore wheat free) foods including two varieties of bagels. Their products are noteworthy because not only do they not include gluten ingredients, they also are free of the other 7 ingredients that tend to cause allergic reactions – dairy, tree nuts, peanuts, eggs, soy, fish and shellfish.
• Udi’s – Breads, bagels, pizza crust, muffins and more. Udi’s is available in many grocery stores across the nation.

Shopping for Wheat Free Bread
There are three main places to find wheat and gluten free bread. Many grocery stores are now stocking a selection, sometimes in their natural foods sections. A dedicated natural foods or health food store may also be a good choice. If you can’t find what you’re looking for locally, then online shopping to the rescue. You can find nearly any brand (and at good prices) online. You may also want to try making your own with a gluten free bread machine.