Beat the overwhelm of eating gluten-free with this simplified printable gluten-free grocery list and tips for easy shopping. While eating gluten-free may feel like you're flipping your life upside down, having a helpful guide can make the transition a breeze.
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Read this article for 10 easy gluten-free grocery shopping tips and a printable grocery list to jump-start your gluten-free life!
Other helpful gluten-free resources
Our Essential Gluten Free Living Ebook
The entire purpose of this ebook is to show you how to fill your kitchen with safe gluten free ingredients. There are 60+ recommended gluten free and celiac safe brands and tips for sourcing foods that often have cross-contact with gluten. You'll also find loads of tips for making the gluten-free transition easier!
Note that the ebook is written with people with Celiac Disease in mind.
- How to go Gluten Free - 10 BEST tips for Beginners
- How to prevent cross contamination - 5 Gluten Free Kitchen Rules
- How to find Celiac Friendly Restaurants near you
Gluten-free Grocery Shopping Tips:
I'll start with the tips first, since they make finding the items on the printable gluten-free grocery list so much easier.
Read these before you go to the grocery store.
1. Shop the perimeter of the grocery store first.
The perimeter of the grocery store is where you'll find fresh produce, meats, dairy products, and other naturally gluten-free foods. These are also simple choices since they are single ingredient and unprocessed.
If you do come across processed or packaged versions of whole foods, check the ingredients label to make sure there is no added starch, wheat, or gluten-containing ingredients.
2. Keep it simple - whole foods and products with few ingredients are best.
Once you picked up your fresh whole foods look for minimal ingredient products. These include nuts, seeds, dried fruits, cheese (if you can eat dairy), coconut milk, plain teas, and coffee. Even minimal ingredient foods can have added flavorings, spice blends, and gluten, so remember to read the ingredients label.
3. Shop with a gluten-free grocery list.
Walking into a supermarket without a plan can be overwhelming! Chances are you need to change your usual routine now that you eat strictly gluten-free.
We provide a printable gluten-free grocery list at the bottom of this page and in the VgF Free Resource Library! It includes gluten-free items and replacements that are easy to find, easy to cook, and absolutely delicious.
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4. Have a plan for suspicious ingredients.
If you find a product with questionable ingredients, take a picture of the name and bar code area. Be sure the numbers around the bar code are clear so you can read them off to the company when you call.
If your grocery store has a return policy, you can also purchase the product first with the plan to return it if needed.
5. Find the gluten-free section.
While it's simplest to buy mostly whole foods, you can replace bread, crackers, cookies, and other treats with gluten-free versions. Most supermarkets have a section reserved for gluten-free products. Ask a sales clerk if you can't locate them yourself.
6. Research gluten-free brands beforehand.
In the USA, common gluten-free brands include Pamela's, Glutenfreeda, Canyon Bakehouse, Udi's, Enjoy Life, and Glutino. In Europe, you can rely on Schaer products and other region-specific brands.
7. Avoid bulk bins.
Nuts, grains, seeds, flours, and more can be found in the bulk bins at lower prices than the packaged versions. However, products in these bins are switched and customers use scoops for multiple products leading to serious risk of cross-contact.
If you have celiac disease or are sensitive to small amounts of gluten, avoid the bulk bins.
8. Watch out for deli meats and dairy products.
Whether packaged or from the meat counter, deli meats often have added flavorings and preservatives. Stick to safe gluten-free brands (like Applegate Farms, USA) and always read the ingredients label.
At the meat counter, be aware of cross-contact on the meat slicer and preparation surfaces. Don't hesitate to ask questions and advocate for your needs.
Tip: Visit the meat counter at a quiet time of day so you can ask questions.
Dairy products can have additives too - be sure to check the ingredients label.
9. Choose gluten-free grains carefully.
Multiple types of grains are often processed in the same factories and on the same packaging lines. Choose gluten-free grains from a company with a dedicated gluten-free facility (ex: Ancient Harvest Quinoa, USA) or one with cleaning practices you feel comfortable with. You can get this information from the company's website or by calling their customer service line.
Doctors recommend newly diagnosed celiacs wait at least 6 months before adding oats to their diet. Some celiacs find they can never eat oats without a bad reaction.
If/when you add oats to your diet, be sure to look for Gluten-free labeled or certified oats. Better yet, look for gluten-free "purity protocol" oats which are processed in a way that avoids cross-contact with gluten.
10. Buy plain items and flavor them at home.
Fewer ingredients means less chance of cross-contact. Natural and artificial flavors can also include trace amounts of gluten. Buying plain products and adding natural flavors at home (ex: plain yogurt, add your own honey) is a great way to make safer gluten-free choices.
Pin and screenshot these Gluten-free Grocery Tips:
Your Printable Gluten Free Grocery List
A full printable gluten free grocery list with check boxes is available at the bottom of this page. You can also find it in our Free Resource Library which is available to subscribers -- you can join our community using any of the "subscribe" boxes on this page.
The Essential Gluten Free Living Ebook has more specific information on sourcing gluten-free products for people with celiac.
For all of these foods, make sure you read the ingredients labels and follow the tips above.
Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
- Apples
- Oranges
- Lettuce
- Bell peppers
- Broccoli
- Potatoes
- Sweet potatoes...
Add any of your favorites here! Fresh fruits and vegetables are staples of a gluten-free diet.
Unprocessed Meats, Fish, and Eggs
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Fish
- Ground Beef
- Tuna
- Pork
Check out our Gluten Free Meat and Seafood Recipes.
Plant-based Proteins
- Almond Butter
- Peanut Butter
- Beans
- Chia Seeds
- Ground Flax Seeds
- Tahini
- Tofu
We use many of these ingredients in our Gluten Free Breakfast Recipes.
Dairy and Dairy-free alternatives
- Milk/Almond Milk
- Yogurt
- Butter
- Cheese
Helpful Tip: Lactose is the sugar found in milk. Since Lactose intolerance is a symptom of Celiac Disease, many people recently diagnosed avoid dairy products until their gut heals.
Gluten Free Grains
- Rice
- Wild rice
- Corn
- Millet
- Sorghum
- Teff
Gluten-free pseudo-grains (grain-like seeds) include quinoa, buckwheat, and amaranth.
Condiments
- Soy sauce (always buy the gluten-free version)
- Mayonnaise
- Mustard
- Sriracha
- Salsa
Cooking Ingredients
- Broth
- Dried Fruit
- Oils
- Olives
- Vinegar
Helpful Tip: Seasoned vinegars may not be gluten-free. MALT vinegar is not gluten-free.
Baking Ingredients
These are my favorite Gluten-Free Flours:
Our Easy Gluten Free Baking Recipes can be made with these ingredients. Most Baking Sodas, including Arm and Hammer are gluten free. Be careful to read the ingredients in baking powder.
As with the rest of these categories, we go much more in depth in our Essential Gluten Free Living Ebook.
Snacks
- Rice cakes
- Nuts
- Nut butters
You can check out our Gluten Free Snack Recipes too.
Spices
My go-to spices are listed for you in our printable gluten-free grocery list.
Download our Free Printable Gluten-Free Grocery List
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After your trip, visit us again and let us know how it went!
Happy gluten-free grocery shopping,
❤︎ Jamie
Alina from Texas says
Ah! Thankyou for this!!! I looked all over for a good list. I really appreciate your help. Sending good vibes..
Jamie says
Thank you so much Alina and I hope it helps!
Kelly im Wyoming says
Thank you so much for this. I've been looking everywhere for a good list. I appreciate your efforts making it available.
Jamie says
Thank you Kelly! I'm so glad you found it helpful.