Favorite Gluten Free + Dairy Free Products
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While Iβve cut out dairy and gluten before, I only did it for short stints, never cut the two together, nor did commit to it it 100%. In September of 2020, I decided to have my hormones tested. Initially we thought I had PCOS and while we were waiting for test results and ultrasound readings, I cut out gluten and dairy entirely, per my doctorβs suggestion. No cheating, no shortcuts. This went on for about 4 weeks. In the end, I ended up not having PCOS, rather high DHEA. About double over the maximum amount to be exact. My doctor suggested that I still try to limit gluten and dairy, which is why I wanted to write this post. Iβve tried a lot of GF and DF items and to be quite frank, Iβd rather go without than βindulgeβ in some of products. To be fair, gluten free items have come a LONG way in just a short period of time. Dairy free is right behind it.
Side note - when I cut it out entirely, did find that it helped my digestion and I felt better limiting these foods. I also lost a lot of weightβ¦ like over 5 pounds in a week and a half. I honestly felt like I was withering away. I think I do best when I incorporate them gently, but that is also something Iβm able to do since I donβt have an allergy.
Nowadays, I try to eat gluten free and dairy free around 80% of the time. To be honest, the best thing to do is eat minimally processed, but even I make exceptions for that. For example, Nick makes homemade sourdough bread. It is obviously minimally processed and has gluten content than traditional bread. For cheeses, it is a little more confusing⦠Cheese like cheddar and parmesan are lower in lactose, but harder to digest. Soft cheeses like goat cheese, brie, etc have higher lactose, but easier for your body to digest. Which is better?! I will say that I try to use goat butter versus regular butter when I can because that is easier on the digestive system. (We buy Meyenberg.) Grass-fed butter is great too. (We buy Kerrygold.)
ANYWAY, Hereβs a list of all my favorite GF / DF products!
Madewell V-Neck T-shirt | Leviβs Jeans | Uncommon James Ear Huggies
BREAD
Coco Bakes Sourdough (baked locally in Santa Monica, though available for shipping)
Siete Tortillas (there are others on the market that taste fine, but Sieteβs have the fewest ingredients and are the least processed)
Simple Mills Mixes (they hay so many and are so yummy!)
SNACKS
Safe + Fair Popcorn (βdark choclatyβ is my favorite)
Safe + Fair Granola (chocolate granola is my favorite)
Trader Joeβs has a pretty wide selection of GF snacks, so does Costco if you are willing to hunt for them
A lot of chips these days have the GF seal on them, just for reference!
PASTA
Trader Joeβs Egg Noodles
Annieβs Organic Mac and Cheese (comes in GF, V, and GF & V boxes)
Lotus Foods (they have ramen, soba, and more)
** I havenβt tried it yet, but Jovial came out with a GF macaroni and cheese in a box, and a vegan / DF option at that!
SPREADS
Trader Joeβs Vegan Kale, Cashew, Basil Pesto
Simply Heinz Ketchup (Huntβs is not GF) or Primal Kitchen Ketchup
FLOURS
Trader Joeβs GF flour blend
DESSERTS
Sweet Laurel Cakes (baked locally in Pacific Palisades, though available for shipping)
NON-DAIRY βDAIRYβ
Flavored Culina Coconut Yogurt (Bourbon Vanilla is my favorite)
Plain Culina Coconut Yogurt (I like to use this as sour cream)
Unsweetened Almond Milk
Full fat canned coconut milk
Fresh Cravingβs Onion Dip
Fresh Cravings Cashew Queso
Kefir (lactose-intolerance friendly, not vegan - I like this plain goat one and these flavored ones)
*I typically donβt do anything other than spreadable cheeses. I donβt want to overdo it on nuts because that is possible, and at that point most of the time Iβd rather not eat the cheese OR eat βrealβ cheese. Youβll also see that I donβt list a butter option. Since I donβt have an allergy and am not vegan, I try to use grass fed butter or goat butter.
FAVORITE RECIPES
Grain Free (vegan options) Tahini Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake
GF Peanut Butter Cookies! (I like to leave out the chocolate chips and instead dip the bottom of the cookies in melted dark chocolate and freeze on parchment paper until it dries . So good!!)
COOKBOOKS I LIKE
Oh She Glows (I donβt have her dinner cookbook, but I want it)
FAVORITE GF / DF FRIENDLY RESTAURANTS IN LA
Cafe Gratitude
Sweet Laurel
M Cafe
Gracias Madre
The Butcherβs Daughter
Salt and Straw (they have vegan ice cream!)
F#ck Gluten (their cauliflower wings and V ranch!!)
Erewhon (prepared meals section - GF rice balls, coconut chicken tenders, Firecracker roll, Spicy Crispy Rice, to name a few ;) ) Also has a very niche / high-end GF and V offering
Snap Kitchen (no local, but delivers via subscription)
Cutting gluten and dairy has made me learn a lot, especially regarding reading labels. Gluten is in a lot of things that you wouldnβt necessarily think it is. For restaurants it is even harder. For example, sure fries are naturally gluten free, but sometimes they are fried in the same bin as items with gluten, making them contaminated.
I hope this post has been helpful and that your transition is as easy as possible. If I didnβt list your GF / DF favorites, please list them below so I can try them. Always looking try new things!!
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