Products to celebrate Celiac Awareness Month
May is Celiac Awareness Month, an entire month dedicated to educating people about celiac disease, encouraging people to get tested, and celebrating the fact that those who have been diagnosed can now take back control over their health! To get ready for Celiac Awareness Month, let’s talk about gluten-free products.
Check out some much-loved products to celebrate Celiac Awareness Month, including muffins, empanadas, bagels, and more. These are products that offer you the tastes you may be craving and have been missing, like bready products; plus supplements and protein powder to maintain a strong, healthy body; and even cosmetics because who wants gluten in their lipstick?
Kelapo Coconut Oil & Ghee Products
People who are gluten-free sometimes have other dietary restrictions, like dairy or sometimes just the casein in dairy. This is where Kelapo comes in, providing options for people on a variety of diets with their coconut oil products and ghee products. Their extra-virgin coconut oil is unrefined and contains MCTs that can boost energy and brain function in addition to having the antifungal and antibacterial properties that processed MCT oil does not. Their ghee, or clarified butter, is a great substitute for traditional butter because it’s lactose/casein free and packed with vitamins. It also has a high smoke point and contains no hydrogenated oils, artificial ingredients, or preservatives. Their ghee is not blended with vegetable oil like other ghee products out there. What I love about Kelapo is that you know what to expect, and that’s quality. (If you think that all oils/fats are the same regardless of brand, let me just tell you that I’ve bought avocado oil from two stores before, both store brand avocado oils, and one was neutral and had no scent to it and the other had a funny smell when I’d heat it up. I’ll let you decide which brand I never bought again.)
Coconut Bliss Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free Ice Cream Sandwiches
Unless it contains chunks of cookie dough or ingredients that are suspect, ice cream can often be found gluten-free. But what about gluten-free, dairy-free, and soy-free? That might be trickier. Now throw in those cravings you’ve been having for ice cream sandwiches … now you’re really facing a challenge! Luckily, Coconut Bliss has you covered on all fronts with its plant-based ice cream that is gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, egg-free, preservative-free, GMO-free, and certified organic. And yes, that includes their ice cream sandwiches, available in delicious Madagascan Vanilla or Dark Chocolate made with gluten-free cookies. And did I mention they are certified gluten free? Coconut Bliss will have you screaming for ice cream with just one delicious bite! Plus, check out their adorable new look – their updated branding features fun characters and bright, bold colors. I’m a sucker for cool packaging!
Cassava Gluten-Free Empanadas
When is the last time you bit into a warm, crispy empanada? If it’s been a while or if you’ve never even had an empanada (stranger things have happened) then it’s time to introduce you to Cassava, a company that makes delicious gluten-free empanadas made from – you guessed it – cassava flour. Not only are they made from the wholesome goodness of cassava flour but also other wholesome, real food ingredients like fresh vegetables, fruits, and meats, and no processed vegetable oils – they use coconut oil, butter, or grass-fed tallow. Best of all, these empanadas are available in a wide range of flavors, from savory like pulled pork, to breakfast like huevos rancheros, to sweet like apple and cinnamon. There’s a flavor for everyone, including vegetarian options.
Breton Gluten-Free Crackers
Crackers are one of those things that you need to have a good go-to brand of, especially if you’re one to throw parties or get togethers. I mean seriously, what kind of charcuterie board or veggie and dip tray is complete without some crackers? Breton is a great go-to brand of crackers – they’ve been making non-gluten-free crackers for a while and have a great selection of certified gluten-free crackers as well. Their gluten-free crackers come in Original with Flax, Black Bean with Onion and Garlic, Herb and Garlic, and White Bean with Salt and Pepper. They’re made with tapioca and green lentil flour, so they have a nice tender-crisp texture that you and your guests are sure to love.
True Nutrition Customizable Protein Powders
Protein powder is often times gluten-free, so you might wonder why this made our list. Well, that’s because True Nutrition isn’t your average protein powder. It’s customizable. This means you can choose from proteins like whey, soy, pea, egg, beef, and many more, then choose add-ins like collagen, amino acids, and more, then choose your flavor. If you’re sensitive to not just gluten but other foods, or if you just like to avoid things like artificial sweeteners/colors and unfamiliar ingredients, True Nutrition offers protein at its purest. Plus, they have customizable smoothie powder blends and customizable oatmeal/cereal (quinoa flakes, etc.).
Dr. Liia Cosmetics
Epilynx Cosmetics has changed names to Dr. Liia, after the company’s founder, Dr. Liia Ramachandra. Dr. Liia herself is a doctor of pharmacy and has psoriasis and gluten sensitivity, so she formulated her skincare and makeup line with sensitive skin in mind. Makeup in bright, bold colors and luxurious skincare including night/day serums, rejuvenating skin creams, and more, are just some of what you’ll find in Dr. Liia’s line. Perfect for those with sensitive skin, people who want to avoid harsh/artificial ingredients, or anyone else, Dr. Liia is a great choice for cosmetics. I love their eyeliners and their skin creams the best! And though it’s true that gluten is too large of a molecule to enter your pores, it is important to use gluten-free cosmetics because there’s always a way it can make it into your mouth, eyes, or through a cut/blemish in your skin.
Gluten Free Prairie Purity Protocol Oats
Oats are naturally gluten-free but they are commonly cross-contaminated with wheat due to shared fields or harvesting equipment, which makes them an iffy choice for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. This is why it’s important to get a trusted brand of gluten-free oats, like those from Gluten Free Prairie. This family-owned business is based on the prairies of Montana and if you follow them on social media or check out their website you’ll see how adorable their family is and that alone might make you want to buy their oats! But aside from that, their oats are quality! They are purity protocol oats, which means they haven’t had gluten-containing grains grown in their fields for at least 4 years before growing oats, farmers use designated equipment, and the oats are processed in a facility that ONLY processes their oats, so there’s no cross contamination.
Flax4Life Gluten-Free Baked Goods
Flax4Life has long been a favorite of ours here at the office. Their muffins, cakes, and granola are delicious and filled with healthy omega-3 fatty acids thanks to the abundance of flax in their products! And now, may I introduce you to their NEW cookies?! Perfect for a quick-grab sweet treat, these cookies are also filled with omega-3s, plus a bit of fiber and protein which is really great for a cookie to have because let’s face it, most cookies don’t have healthy ingredients and we’re not always eating them for that reason anyways. Get in the nutrition everywhere you can, I say! I love their Lemon Zest Cookies since it’s spring time, but they also have Chocolate Chip, Ginger Snap, Oatmeal Raisin, Double Chocolate Cherry, and Apple Pie cookies, so there is a wide selection for all sorts of taste preferences.
LivOn Labs Liposomal Supplements
Many people with celiac disease, especially those who have gone undiagnosed for a long time, have nutrient deficiencies, especially in B vitamins. Add to that the fact that many people who are still healing their intestinal lining from the effects of gluten have less than optimal absorption of nutrients, making capsules sometimes more difficult to absorb. This is why liposomal supplements from LivOn Labs, especially their B-Complex Plus, are on this list! These supplements bypass the typical digestive system route that other supplements take and instead you squeeze the packet into a small amount of liquid (water or juice) and drink it like a shot and then the supplement gets absorbed into your bloodstream. There’s some technical sciency stuff you can read about on their website that explains the process better than I can, but I can say that I’ve been regularly taking their supplements and I think they are high quality and effective.
Mrs. Bickel’s Gluten-Free Brownies & Blondies
Brownies and blondies are such classic desserts, but chances are if you want them to be gluten-free you have to bake them yourself! That’s not the case with Mrs. Bickel’s! This company handmakes GF treats like brownies, blondies, cookies, pizza crusts, and more, in small batches, all from their Las Vegas, NV bakery. One of my favorite goodies of theirs is their Radical Brownies – rich, fudgy, and you can get it with or without walnuts, but their blondies are also great, especially for those who want a non-chocolate dessert. What’s really great is that they offer low-glycemic goodies for those watching their blood sugar in addition to being gluten-free.
Odd Bagel Gluten-Free, Vegan Bagels
Breakfast without gluten is not as difficult as it once was! With companies like Odd Bagel out there that make gluten-free bagels that are also top 8 allergen free and super delicious, you can go ahead and have that bagel and lox you’ve been craving! Odd Bagel makes gluten-free, vegan bagels that are free from tons of allergens and are dense, flavorful, and do not skimp on toppings. Just look at the sesames on these bagels, or check out their website and see the images of their poppy seed bagels – they are covered just the same in real life as they are in their pictures, which I think is great because it makes them so full of flavor.
Gluten Free Nation Baked Goods
What’s a gluten-free household without some delicious baked goods stashed in the pantry or freezer? Luckily, with companies like Gluten Free Nation, you can have your cake and freeze it, too! With products like pound cake, muffins, pies, and more, you can satisfy your craving for sweets right when they arrive or freeze them for later. Their pumpkin bread is divine, super moist, and is a favorite around the office. Their other products are equally delicious and they’re all made in a dedicated gluten-free facility. Oh yeah, and they have dinner rolls and hot dog buns, so they have more than just sweets to consider!
Paleo Pro Protein Powder & Bars
As I mentioned previously, protein powder isn’t something you tend to be too concerned with being NOT gluten-free, as many of them are. However, a clean protein powder is not always that easy to find, so that’s why protein has made its second appearance on this list. But this protein is different from the previous one mentioned, as this protein is as Paleo-friendly as it gets! It’s minimally processed (a hallmark of Paleo-friendliness), is made from grass fed beef (and some products also contain cage-free egg protein), and contains minimal ingredients. Paleo Pro also makes delicious gluten-free, Paleo protein bars and collagen powder. Collagen powder is an excellent addition to almost anyone’s diet, especially those over the age of 25, as our bodies slow down on collagen production after that age. Collagen is important for healthy skin, hair, tissue, and muscle, and if you’re healing your gut then collagen is also a plus.
Starlite Cuisine Gluten-Free Taquitos
Cooking from scratch is the most sure way to help ensure you get a safe gluten-free meal, but let’s be real … the majority of us don’t always have the time to make all our meals from scratch. This is where heat-and-serve meals come in handy. But of course we don’t want to fill up on overly processed junk in place of a nutritious meal, so that’s where companies like Starlite Cuisine come in to help. They make gluten-free frozen taquitos and enchiladas (also tacos, but those are not gluten-free) that are also vegan, non-GMO, protein-rich, and made with wholesome, high-quality ingredients. For those of you avoiding soy, their taquitos do contain soy but their enchiladas do not, so those are a great option!
Mozart Chocolate Liqueurs
Last but certainly not least, let us cheers to finding our diagnosis, learning what makes us sick, and choosing day after day to live a life free from gluten and full of good health! Let’s do that with a decadent drink from Mozart. These rich, flavorful chocolate liqueurs are handcrafted with high quality, all natural ingredients and are delicious on the rocks, in cocktails, or even in gluten-free desserts. Originally, only one flavor was gluten-free, but now all of them are! You can enjoy this Austrian liqueur in Dark Chocolate, Coffee, Chocolate Cream, Strawberry White Chocolate, and more.
