Gluten can be found in everything from bread, cereal and pasta to sauces, gravies and even beer (yes, beer!). Therefore, eliminating the common protein from your diet may seem a little daunting at first.
But if you have Celiac disease or gluten intolerance, you can take comfort in the fact that there are now more gluten-free (GF) alternatives than ever before. So try not to panic at the first sign of a snack attack.
You may be facing some big dietary changes, but we’ve got you covered on the nosh front. Say goodbye to barley, wheat and rye, and hello to the following delicious, nutritious and—best of all—totally GF snack options:
Fruit salad
Great news! Fresh fruit is naturally gluten-free. Apple, pineapple, banana, berries, melon… Chop up your favorites and toss them into a flavorful fruit salad for convenient snacking. Caution: always check labels of processed fruits to ensure they are GF before consuming.
Homemade applesauce
Prepare a from-scratch applesauce featuring bold chunks of your favorite apple varieties. Of course, store-bought sauce makes a great snack, too. Just be sure to look for the “gluten-free” on the product label. Want to increase the yum factor? Spread the tangy sauce onto a few fluffy, gluten-free pancakes!
Yogurt parfait
Craving a snack that’s equal parts creamy and crunchy? Assemble a satisfying parfait with layers of thick, creamy Greek or vegan yogurt, sweet fruit and chopped nuts, Again, some yogurts contain trace amounts of gluten, so be sure to inspect the label carefully. You can also try making this vegan and gluten-free muesli berry parfait recipe.
PB&J on gluten-free crackers
Who doesn’t find comfort in a peanut butter and jelly sandwich? Crunchy, creamy, grape, strawberry… After you make all the tough choices, spread your tasty toppings onto some crispy GF crackers and enjoy!
PB on celery
Don’t have any GF crackers on hand? Not to worry! Celery makes an excellent vessel for peanut butter as well. If you’re feeling really adventurous, add a few organic raisins and voila—ants on a log!
Popcorn trail mix
Forget about the pretzels and make your own trail mix with naturally gluten-free popcorn instead! Add walnuts, raisins, shredded coconut, dark chocolate chips… The possibilities may not be endless, but they’re definitely numerous!
Sliced apple drizzled with caramel and dark chocolate chips
Apples may be nature’s candy, but there’s nothing wrong with adding a little embellishment in the form of sticky, sweet caramel and rich, dark chocolate (as always, check the labels). This snack is sure to curb your cravings!
Frozen grapes
Have you ever tried frozen grapes? If you answered in the negative, you have no idea what you’re missing! Rinse off a bunch (or two!) and pop them into the freezer for a few hours for future snacking. Want to up the flavor ante? Coat the grapes in powdered drink mix (you choose the flavor) prior to freezing!
Edamame
Not only are soybeans naturally gluten-free, they’re also a great source of protein and fiber! A single serving contains approximately eight and four grams, respectively. Enjoy them plain or toss them in a mixture of salt, chili powder and red pepper flakes before heating.
Gluten-free pretzels with hummus
If you’re in the mood for a crunchy, savory snack combo, dip GF pretzels into thick, creamy hummus. Scan the product label as usual and you’ll typically find that all the ingredients in this popular Middle Eastern spread are, in fact, gluten-free!
Gluten-free pita chips with guacamole
Chips and guac for your gluten-free lifestyle? Why not?! Make the green stuff yourself or purchase a container that’s clearly marked “gluten-free.” Happy snacking!
Gluten-free bars
And of course, there are many GF bars to choose from. A few to consider: Enjoy Life Boom Choco™ Dark Chocolate Boom Bar, Vega Protein+ Chocolate Caramel Snack Bars and Betty Lou's Cherry Fruit Bars.
For more gluten-free snacks, pantry staples and cooking ingredients, visit your Gluten-Free Destination on vitacost.com.
