Gluten-free choices at Trader Joe's
I was talking to our pediatrician recently and he said that wheat/gluten allergies and sensitivities are very under-diagnosed. Either the sensitivity is not known or it is misdiagnosed as a general irritable bowel syndrome or as lactose tolerance. The wheat or gluten allergy causes malabsorption of food and vitamin deficiency. About 1% of Americans (most commonly people of European descent) suffer from Celiac disease, but many think that the actual numbers are much higher.
Glutens are found in wheat, barley, and rye and so many foods contain these flours. Even soy sauce! So what do you do if you can't eat regular brea
d, pasta, crackers, etc? Well, many people believe that we all eat too much of that stuff anyway... but there are plenty of gluten-free substitutes! Some of the gluten-free alternatives at Trader Joe's include:1.) Gluten-free breads made from brown rice flour. The bread is very dense and a bit small in cross-section, but not bad in taste.
2.) Brown rice pastas in a variety of shapes. The brown rice pasta is absolutely terrific! The texture is great, unlike pastas made with quinoa and/or amaranth which just seem to fall apart. There is even a boxed mac-n-cheese made from rice pasta.
3.) Tortillas made from brown rice (although most regular corn tortillas are also gluten-free)
4.) A selection of frozen breakfast foods such as frozen wheat-free waffles and frozen wheat-free pancakes
5.) Baking mixes such as gluten-free pancake/waffle mix and gluten-free brownie mix, all made from alternative flours. The brownie mix is pretty good too - it has a slight grout-like texture, but taste-wise it passes.
6.) TJ's also has a tasty granola that is gluten-free. It comes in three flavors: Cranberry Maple Nut, Tropical Forest, and Loaded Fruit & Nut. My kids love these granolas, and I didn't even notice that th
ey were gluten-free till I read the package more carefully.There are plenty of foods that are normally gluten free, but these are some of the alternatives I spotted for foods that normally contain gluten.
I also have to give a non-TJ thumbs up to two lines: Pamela's and Bob's Red Mill gluten free products. For those that are concerned about the contamination levels, both these lines do the ELISA Gluten Assay testing protocol to test for glutens (TJ's packaging does not indicate that they do this). At a few recent parties, including my daughter's birthday party, there were quite a few gluten-intolerant guests so I decided to test a few of the Pamela's and Bob's mixes. Both Pamela's and Bob's mixes were excellent. Their cake mixes were delicious with moist and fluffy texture, and I have to say that their brownie mix edged out TJ's (sorry TJ, you know I love you but I have to be honest). Of course, price-wise, the Trader Joe's brownie mix is less than half the price at $2.99. I'll still buy it!
Have any gluten-free favorites? Let me know! And if you'd like to correct/clarify anything I said regarding wheat/gluten sensitivity, please do so below!
Posted by Deana Gunn at May 27, 2009 
Categories: Product Reviews, Vegetarian and Vegan , Favorite Products
Tags: bread tortillas cider gluten free granola
Categories: Product Reviews, Vegetarian and Vegan , Favorite Products
Tags: bread tortillas cider gluten free granola
Thanks! This is really helpful to know. For the first time, I have a friend that doesn't do gluten. Now I'll have these filed away in my head for when she comes over.
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I never realized TJ had all these gluten-free items.
You already referenced this, but just wanted to point out that "wheat-free" doesn't necessarily mean "gluten-free" so check the label ... it may have barley flour or other gluten-containing ingredients.
Thanks for a great heads up on these products!!
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I appreciate this information. I received information from my doctor today that I am gluten sensitive and need to begin a gluten free diet immediately. I was freaking out a little bit thinking about where to find products that I and my family will both enjoy.
Thanks!
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This has been writen very well, thanks so much for the great read.
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Mmmmmmmmmm sounds tasty!Keep up the good work, have bookmarked this page.
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Mmmmmmmmmm sounds tasty!
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Question: Do you know if the GF pancake/waffle mix at TJ's is regional? I haven't seen it at my north of Seattle store. Would love to find it! thanks,
liz
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Thanks for visiting to site and for spending some tome on this site.
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I always enjoy your information. I have purchased the turkey gravy, as my daughter has Celiac disease. However, it probably isn't considered totally "gluten free", as the product is made on machines that use wheat, etc., so it says on the back label. Some people are extremely allergic to the least bit of wheat flour. I think, though, that it will be all right for my daughter and I appreciate your information.
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This might help those who need to be wheat-free: (Though not gluten-free, because some folks need to be careful of oats and cross-contamination.)
Joe's O's are a mighty tasty substitute for Cheerios, and they have no wheat in them.
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Joe's O's are probably NOT gluten-free ... sorry about that ... I had a reaction from them ... there is a apparently a major cross-contamination factor going on ...
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Yes, it's exactly what Pat wrote - oats are inherently gluten-free but often have cross-contamination with wheat during processing, storage, and transport. Many manufacturers such as Bob's Red Mill sell oats that have been processed in dedicated facilities and are tested and certified gluten free.
The cross-contamination may not bother most people, but if you're highly allergic, you need to be cautious.
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y wife and I were in Kennewick and Walla Walla this summer, and really enjoyed touring some of the wineries in the area. Some of my favorites were J. Bookwalter, Northstar, and Pepper Bridge. There are some really outstanding wines being produced in that area. Some of the best Merlot that I have ever tasted were tasted on that trip.
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I too was misdiagnosed with IBS when i was gluten intollerant the distruption this caused to my life was amazing, you do not realsise how much gluten is in everything we eat. Thankyou for the suggestions above, i have to say the gluten free bread is not the best, like eating corrugated cardboard.
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Going gluten-free has been a real blessing. I feel that I'm eating better than before. As far as bread goes, I think it's a matter of taste. I like the Brown Rice tortillas at Trader Joe's (also available at some Whole Foods under a different brand). I put it in the toaster oven with cheese, etc. to make delicious pizza. The Udi's sandwich bread makes great toast and grilled cheese -- the white bread makes the best grilled cheese I've ever had. I also really like the dense brown rice bread (Food for Life brand), but you have to toast it until it is very well-toasted (takes a while). It's delicious like that.
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Hi, Trader Joe's Gluten Free Waffle Mix has been discontinued. I've started a FaceBook group to help bring it back. If you love this product even a fraction as much as I do, please join us: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_171065386259303&ap=1
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Make sure to check that the gluten free breads and tortillas are refrigerated because I went there and they were not. Can get you sicker than a dog.
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