My dd has to go gluten-free for several months (not celiac, but autoimmune and other medical issues that the dr feels might respond to gluten-free). I went to Whole Foods and was quite surprised at the high prices of pastas and crackers and flours, although pleased by their selection. I don't plan to buy many pre-made foods or frozen dinners, but I certainly need some basics. Does anyone know where to buy (a store, or online) the basics like white rice flour, tapioca flour, potato flour, quinoa and rice pastas, at the most reasonable prices? I can't afford to do all my shopping at the gluten-free shelves at Whole Foods. We'll be gluten-free and homeless at that rate! What's the happy medium?
You're in Denver? We used to live there. Go to Deby's Gluten Free Bakery. It's on S. Trenton off of Iliff. www.debysglutenfree.com for directions.
When I've needed gluten-free I always got it at walmart (which I HATE that store), they have bob's red mill and it's not too highly priced..
Trader Joe's? I love this store, it is almost like whole foods, but less expensive. Perhaps you have on in your area. I buy most of my food there, and they have a lot of gluten free foods.
http://www.kingarthurflour.com/shop/landing.jsp?go=Home
They carry all sorts of Gluten free flours and mixes.. You can order it direct from them.. Last year I ordered a ton of things from them and got free shipping on a special.. Join their email list or facebook page.
Do you have any "China Town" type areas or Chinese markets where you live? You can get rice flour for wicked cheap through those stores. Also, Whole Foods will give you a huge discount if you order a bulk amount of a certain flour through them, just ask at Customer Service. You can also try to make your own flours with different beans if you have a good high tech blender such as Vitamix or Blendtec. Also, if you have any GF bakeries in your town ask the manager if thy have extra flours leftover or in excess you can purchase at a discount from them.
We went to the specialty aisle in our local Giant or Safeway to get gluten free baking items for my SD's friend. You might have to look farther for the xanthen gum (or whatever that stuff is) but you don't need much of that per recipe if you need it at all.
In my city they are everywhere......to be safe you would definitely find them at ritzy grocery stores like whole foods(as you said) or h.e.b central market.......some cities have something called "trader joes" that from what ive heard is just like whole foods. You will probably find them at health food stores in your area. But as far as them going down in price.......sorry, gluten free is all the rage right now for even non-celiac people. Its kind of like the atkinson no carb diet, the blood type diet, eat this , not that diet, the south beach diet. Its trendy and will cost so.
Did you look in the bulk section of Whole Foods? They often have bulk flours, which can be cheaper to buy by the pound. Do you have a Sprouts Farmers Market near you? (www.sporuts.com ) They often have sales for 25% off all gluten free labeled products. I have also found quinoa past there, and it's very affordable. They have gluten free flours in their bulk bins, and I think they are having a 25% off bulk sale right now.
Both of my daughters have Celiac. We shop mainly at Sprouts, King Soopers and Walmart. I get Tinkyada pasta and there are a ton of premade flours and mixes at these stores.
Try King Soopers. I was in there yesterday and they gluten free flours and other staples. They also carry a whole line of Udi's gluten and nut free breads and muffins and other products. They have greatly expanded their gluten free selections, and were giving tours yesterday. I'm sure if you ask your local store they could help
I have gone gluten free for medical reasons as well, and like you have found Whole Foods to be quite pricey. It took me awhile to find some good prices.
I live in the Seattle area, and I use Bob's Red Mill flours for much of my baking needs and cooking. Try your local grocery store for the flours...not Whole Foods, but some place like Kroger or Safeway. If those stores don't carry these products, talk to the managers and see if they might be willing to stock some of the basics for you. You can't be the only one needing these items where you live! (As a side note, I find the flours in two places: the baking aisle and the natural foods aisle. Strange.)
Here is the website for Bob's Red Mill:
For a catalogue of their products, write to:
Bob's Red Mill Natural Foods, Inc.
13521 SE Pheasant Court
Milwaukie, Oregon
97222
If you contact them throught their website, they might be able to tell you where to find their products in Denver. I have found, strangely enough, at least here in Seattle, their products are cheaper if I buy them in a grocery store than online, but I don't know what prices are like in Denver.
I also suggest Trader Joe's if you have one, as their prices are good.
I don't have any good suggestions for pasta, as I haven't really found any great substitutions. However, corn pasta, in my opinion, is much better than rice pasta. Rice pasta gets rather gummy when cooked and is rather unpleasant.
Good luck in your search!
Hi E.,
I Am also GF due to auto immune diseases. First let me tell you she will feel sooo much better :)! I am also a mother of 5 so frugality rules here. I get bobs red mill all purpose GF flour at Costco as well as my Rudis GF bread in the freezer section of Costco. Big lots has been having bloseouys of bobs red mill GF flours, oats & such. The best & highly affordable Mac & cheese is annies & best spaghetti is heartland. Bottom shelf in Walmart pasta area. Especially since you aren't buying premade foods you can really get her special needs on a budget :), I'm sending you more info as well. Hope this helps. G
I am not sure of the other grocery chains in your area but in Chicago..Domincks and Jewel sell them. They will tend to be higher priced but of Course Whole Foods will be higher. You might want to call your grocery store and check Trader Joes? Also, look it up online. You might be able to buy a bigger quantity for less. Keep in mind for these flours to work and hold together you will probably also have to buy Xantham Gum which is the adhesive that replaces gluten. I should be avoiding gluten myself.
Trader Joe's has some selections. You can order online as well. Amazon has everything! Since you are near a city do a search for a gluten free market. We have a few in southern california. They are catching on! Also some Walmarts even carry a few of the flours. I can find potato and quinoa flour at Walmart when I visit my mom in the country. Just a note - quinoa flour is great but expensive everywhere. Usually $10 or more. Honestly we just avoid the foods that contain gluten and eat meat eggs veggies and fruit for most of our meals with some rice or quinoa. Its so hard finding good alternatives. All the money and effort usually yields a mediocre product so I gave up! I also buy some great veggie protein powders at Vitamin Shoppe and make smoothies. We live on them for lunches. Easy sandwich alternative.
Some Safeways and Targets carry this kind of stuff. www.heavenlyhomemakers.com and www.passionatehomemaking.com have some resources for this kind of stuff. The first even has a whole menu area for gluten free. It's a hard adjustment price wise, but it was worth if for our family. We get a lot on Amazon. GL!
Well gluten-free isn't cheap, I can attest to that. However the best prices I have found is at Vitamin Cottage. Also sprouts has a nice selection and the mark everything in the store that is gluten free. Best Gluten free mixes (i.e. brownies, pancakes) Bob's Red Mill. Hands down. That company also makes All Purpose gluten free white flour. Pretty reasonable at about $4.00.
As a culinary pro for the past 19 years and one who supplied Wild Oast for many of those years for Gluten free cooking/baking I use an affordable combination of Buckwheat and Quinoa to replace flour with when cooking or baking.
Cornmeal is also OK and can be used to bread poultry or veggies with.
contact me directly or see the SHARING MOUNTAIN RECIPES cookbook for more details.
