A few years ago, just as I was ready to lay into a big plate of bagels in the break room at my workplace I heard an ominous voice from over my shoulder.  “Gluten is evil”, my friend Lauryn quipped.  I turned to look at her.  “You’re crazy!” I said, biting into a delicious cinnamon swirled bagel. But was she crazy?  Later in the day, I felt tired, sluggish and couldn’t concentrate.  I just ignored it.  Yet I almost fell asleep while trying to write my notes.  Skip ahead a couple of years and I noticed that every time I ate anything with wheat, I would feel this way.  I would also often have tummy troubles, feel shaky and weak, be irritable, and just feel yucky. The idea of becoming gluten-free had begun germinating in my mind.

I read the book Wheat Belly: Lose the Wheat, Lose the Weight, and Find Your Path Back to Health  by cardiologist William Davis and it really opened my eyes.  Although I was a bit skeptical, I decided to go gluten-free.  How could I do it?  Everything I loved most was made with wheat, including pizza, bread, pasta, and more.  It seemed pretty impossible.  I did a bit of research and am happy to say that I am doing it, and have not only dropped a whole clothing size but my blood sugar has also gone down drastically.  For years I was told I was pre-diabetic, and now I am substantially below that pre-diabetic number.  I also have more energy and feel so much more healthy.

Doesn’t everything have wheat in it? How can you find things without gluten?  Unfortunately, many of my favorite stores, like Target, do not offer many gluten free options.  Thankfully, I discovered that Trader Joe’s has more gluten free products than any other store I have been in, hands down.  I am excited to share some of my favorite gluten free finds with you.

Pasta

Trader Joe’s 1. organic quinoa and brown rice spaghetti pasta and 2. gluten free egg fettuccine pasta are great options to try.  They also have 3. gluten free mac & cheese.

Crackers

I have tried and loved their 4. Norwegian crispbread, 5. 3 seed beet crackers, and 6. sweet potato crackers.  My very favorite?  The crispy crunchy 7. mochi rice nuggets.

Chips

I am addicted to crunchy things, so of course I love Trader Joe’s 8. plantain chips, 9. spicy cheese crunchies and 10. grainless tortilla chips.

Baking Mixes

It’s awesome that Trader Joe’s includes recipes with many of their items, including the one provided with this 11. cassava cauliflower blend baking mix for tortillas.  They also have gluten free 12. pumpkin bread & muffin baking mix, 13. cornbread mix, and 14. falafel mix.

Breads

When I saw all the gluten free breads here I almost cried.  Huge selection including 15. bagels, 16. whole grain bread, 17. challah and 18. hamburger buns.

Pizza

Who can go without pizza?  Not me!  I tried the 19. cheese pizza with cauliflower crust and it just didn’t do it for me.  Thankfully they carry 20. gluten free flatbread pizza crust for making your own pizza, yay!

Cakes & Cookies

I am not a big sweets fan, in general, but occasionally I like them with a cup of tea or coffee.  Trader Joe’s has delicious gluten free cookies including 21. ginger snaps and 22. chocolate creme Joe-Joe’s.  They also have 23. gluten free cinnamon coffee cake muffins.  Yum!

If you decide to go gluten free, definitely consult your physician first.  If he or she gives you the thumbs up, I support you in your decision.  For me, it took a bit of searching and trial and error to succeed.  I continue to learn and grow in my gluten free journey.  Trader Joe’s has such yummy gluten free products, I hope you get to try some.  You may also enjoy Nine Best Fresh Herbs To Use In Your Kitchen.  Thank you for visiting my blog.  Wishing you peace, love, happiness, and beautiful vistas!