Below is a list of companies (that I will update) with nice lists of their GF foods.
Campbells (includes Campbell, V-8, Pace, Prego, and Swanson)
Jennie-O
Heinz (includes Smart Ones, Jack Daniels, TGI Fridays, Classico, Delimex, and Ore-Ida)
French's Mustards
Snyders of Hanover (yes pretzels!!!)
Candies (assorted brands)
General Mills (Chex, Larabar, Betty Crocker, Nature Valley, Bisquick, Simply Fruit, Progresso, Green Giant, and Ocean Spray)
Boar's Head
Thai Kitchen
Some tips for eating out:
I know that talking about your needs is annoying, but you will never get hurt by asking questions, you may get hurt by guessing or just keeping your mouth shut though. Be your own best advocate. I was recently at a restaurant that did not have GF options. I wanted to order something and I called the manager over to ask some questions. She was just as unsure as I was, so she printed out the ingredient list, brought it to me, and thanked me for educating her. So she learned something new, and I left without a belly ache.
The GF menu is often not listed with the regular menu. Ask your server if they have theirs available. Most of the chain restaurants will give you a binder with all of their allergy menu options in it.
When in doubt, skip it. Learn to travel with snacks. Sometimes I eat a package of almonds, a snack bar, or something else to tide me over while other people eat... not the greatest meal, but I get to hang out and not be ill!
If you are going to a party, bring your own food, talk to the host in advance, or plan to eat before you go. You can still have a great time socializing without eating questionable food and making yourself sick. So many of my friends have gone out of their way to accommodate me- you may find the same as time goes by. If they know I am coming to eat they provide me with packaged GF snacks and foods.
Here is a list of restaurants, stores, and veneus that I have found which cater to GF people. I don't eat out or carry in that often because honestly, it is easier, healthier, and cheaper not to- you may find the same thing as time goes on.
- Moes Southwest Grill (this totally depends on your sensitivity. They claim to be GF, but I am unable to eat there anymore because I got sicker each time eating there- may be from cross contamination)
- Chipotle
- Carlos Gourmet Pizza (Marlboro location)
- Saladworks (Marlboro and Holmdel locations- ask which dressings are GF)
- Let's Yo Not all flavors are GF, but the staff is always about to tell you which ones are and aren't- if you want to play it safe, stick with the sorbet and fresh toppings- I usually do.
- Sesame Place (just ask one of the employees at the restaurants and they will let you know which GF options there are. I got a pre packaged GF pizza with my very own pizza cutter to take home)
- Yankee Stadium has a GF grill (I haven't eaten there, but my sister scouted it out for me)
- Walmart has a small GF foods aisle.
- Wegmans all of the Wegmans brand food that is GF is labeled with a G (also V for Vegan and so on). It is really helpful. They have some GF prepared foods and desserts (the frozen brownie is pretty yummy!).
- Livoti's Old World Market (Aberdeen) They have a small frozen GF section, BUT they ALSO have heat and serve GF dinners, GF sausage and many other things that I have been able to eat.
- Pastosa Ravioli (we have a local store, but their stuff is also sold in select Italian markets in the area as well- they make GF raviolis that are really good)
- Christmas Tree Shoppe (Freehold location) has a small GF aisle with reasonably priced pastas and other products.
- Home Goods (Manalapan location)... random, right? In their food section, they had some gourmet GF snack food items pretty regularly.
- Ruby Tuesdays has a GF menu upon request with some decent options, in addition to the salad bar always available.
- Chilis I was not impressed with the selection of GF food options, but they do have some if you are in need
- Applebees They have a GF menu with some nice options.
- Maggianos They have some great GF Pasta dish options!
- Starbucks* this one has a star because it does not apply to all of them. I came across one while in Texas that regularly stocked flourless chocolate cake... they said some do, some don't. If you need a sweet treat, ask if your local Starbucks has this, it was great!
- Red Robin- They have an entire GF menu available and they EVEN have GF Buns- how fantastic!
Some tips that I have found useful:
You do not need to go and throw every single item out of your house and replace it with GF foods. You will become overwhelmed and waste a lot of money that way. A good amount of what you already have, eat and cook with is GF.... you just need to read labels, do some research, and make educated decisions before eating. Easier said than done when you are hungry, I know.... but it doesn't take too long (or too many accidental glutenings) before you get the hang of it.
Make sure that shared household condiments and spreads do not use communal forks and knives. For example... if my husband uses the Peanut Butter to make himself a sandwich, he will slather on some PB, stick the knife back into the PB, and give the bread another swipe with his knife. No harm, no foul, right? Wrong. The gluten from the bread will stick to the knife and be put back into the container, and when I go to use it, I will be GLUTENED (dun dun dun). Just keep yourself safe by either labeling food that is strictly yours, or getting your family members to comply with not spreading condiments directly onto their foods.
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