The Affordable Gluten Free Diet

The affordable gluten free diet is absolutely possible. If you're new avoiding gluten, you may be shocked to find out how expensive gluten free products can be! There are reasons for this.

Gluten free baked goods require special, less common ingredients and very careful monitoring through every stage of production, from farm field to finished product. However, there are ways to eat gluten free without blowing the budget.

I have a long-held philosophy about eating well on a budget. Someone once told me that they couldn't afford to buy healthy food, while at the same time tossing all sorts of junk food into their shopping cart. It was then that I realized that it's expensive to buy nutritious food when we're adding it to junk food.

When funds are limited, we need to choose one or the other. I have never regretted my choice to buy and prepare nutritious food! And now when the nutritious food is also gluten free, I am eating well and enjoying my food!

Gluten Free on a Budget

I rarely buy gluten free baked goods, and you don't need to either! More about that later. But, there are lots of other good things to eat. Whole fruits and vegetables are naturally gluten free. We benefit nutritionally when we centre our diets around them.

While focusing on eating primarily plants, don't forget that rice, beans, and lentils are gluten free. Potatoes, onions, and most other root vegetables are usually not expensive. These are key budget-friendly foods to incorporate into our menus.

Watch for sales. Visit farmers' markets. We even have lots of roadside stands in the rural area where I'm from. Seasonal produce is available the same day it's picked!

Eggs and meat are naturally gluten free.

For an affordable gluten free diet, learn to cook at home. For how to keep it safe, read How to Eat Gluten Free at Home.

When you are craving some processed food, know that many regular products such as potato chips, salad dressings, and ice cream do have gluten free labels.

Money-Saving Guide to Eating Gluten Free

For the breads and treats that you would like to incorporate into your meal plans, save money by making your own. I'm here to help you with that!

Start saving even more money by first making your own flour blends and spice blends.

Buy gluten free flours in bulk, but be wary of bulk bins. They can be sources of cross-contamination.

Prepare extra when you cook, and enjoy leftovers later. Leftover roasted chicken is great on salads.

Wash and chop up vegetables for a fresh salad, so it's easy to toss one together at the last minute. Keep homemade salad dressing prepared and on hand.

Bake extra and freeze it. Bake a loaf of bread. Slice it when it's cool, and freeze it to use one or two slices at a time.

25 Budget-Friendly Gluten Free Recipes

Here are some budget-friendly recipes that are all gluten free:

Gluten Free Breakfast Recipes

Classic Granola Recipe

This is the simple granola that I've been making for my family for years. It's easy to vary according to your preferences by changing ingredients.

Check out this recipe

Gluten Free Oat Milk

This homemade oat milk is quick and easy! There's no soaking, straining, or waste!

Check out this recipe

Overnight Oats

Baked Overnight Oats is a great gluten free meal prep dish that can be served warm to everyone in the morning. It features berries, apples, raisins, and pecans.

Check out this recipe

Pancakes

Fluffy gluten free pancakes are great plain or with a cup of berries stirred into the batter. It's all whisked together in one bowl.

Check out this recipe

Baked Potato Eggs

This is a great dish for breakfast, lunch, or brunch. Minimal effort produces maximum impact.

Check out this recipe

Gluten Free Snacks

Lemon Coconut Chia Balls

Lemon Coconut Chia Balls are nutritious morsels that taste both refreshing and sweet at the same time. With only five ingredients and no baking, they're a cinch to make!

Check out this recipe

Seed Crackers

This Easy Keto Seed Crackers Recipe makes crisp, well-seasoned crackers great to serve with veggies, cheese, and hummus. Made with four kinds of seeds, they're a crunchy, garlicky, oniony, satisfying snack. Keto diet not required. Everyone enjoys them!

Check out this recipe

Gluten Free Main Dishes

Tomato Lentil Soup

This thick, hearty, whole meal soup is easy to make in the Instant Pot. Brown the meat a little, dump everything else in, set it, and forget it!

Check out this recipe

Red Lentils

Lentils are an inexpensive source of nutrition, and red lentils are the quickest and easiest to cook.

Check out this recipe

Bean Cassoulet with Sausage

This stove-top Bean Cassoulet with Sausage is a quick, easy, flavourful meal to whip together at the end of a busy day!

Check out this recipe

Roast Chicken or Turkey

This recipe produces a flavourful, seasoned, moist roast chicken or turkey with nice, crisp skin.

Check out this recipe

Sausage and Beans Skillet

Easy Sausage and Beans Skillet is a whole meal for six all prepared in one skillet within about half an hour.

Check out this recipe

Gluten Free Side Dishes

Soft Sorghum Sandwich Bread

This is a beautifully soft, gluten free sandwich bread that's easy to make!

Check out this recipe

Gluten Free Tomato Soup

It's quick and easy to make your own tomato soup with canned tomatoes, so you can confidently be assured that your soup is gluten free.

Check out this recipe

Borscht

Borscht is a warm, comforting bowl of goodness to enjoy on a cool, winter day.

Check out this recipe

Soup Stock

Homemade bone broth or soup stock tastes lovely, is very good for you, and is easy to make!

Check out this recipe

Creamy Coleslaw

This easy-to-make Creamy Coleslaw is naturally sweetened with maple syrup balanced with the tang of lemon juice.

Check out this recipe

Honey Mustard Salad Dressing

This is a great salad dressing to keep on hand, so it's easy to toss together a fresh salad anytime!

Check out this recipe

Skillet Green Beans with Almonds

Fresh green beans sizzled in garlicky, butter-browned, sliced almonds are delicious served with red meats, chicken, or fish.

Check out this recipe

Instant Pot Beets

Cook beets reliably every time! Set up the Instant Pot, and cook them without watching.

Check out this recipe

Everything Seasoning with Roasted Vegetables

Everything Seasoning is an amazingly versatile mixture of toasted sesame seeds, poppy seeds, garlic, onion, and salt. It's great on roasted vegetables.

Check out this recipe

Vegan Mashed Potatoes

With lots of roasted garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper in these creamy mashed potatoes, you'll never miss the dairy!

Check out this recipe

Roasted Beets and Carrots

Beets and carrots roasting in the oven free you up to put other finishing touches on a meal.

Check out this recipe

Raw Sauerkraut

Raw sauerkraut is a wonderful, inexpensive source of probiotics. You need only two ingredients to make your own!

Check out this recipe

Gluten Free Dessert Recipes

Rice Pudding with Cooked Rice

Sweet, creamy rice pudding is quickly made on the stove top with leftover, cooked rice.

Check out this recipe

Coconut Macaroons

These very "coconutty" coconut macaroons are an incredibly easy treat to make with only 5 ingredients!

Check out this recipe

Honey Ginger Meringues

Honey Ginger Meringues are light, crispy, melt-in-your-mouth confections made with only four ingredients!  A little bite of ginger balances the sweetness of honey.

Check out this recipe

Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake

Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake is a big, thick cookie for dessert! Think of a cross between a chocolate chip cookie and a brownie. Coconut sugar adds nice, rich caramel undertones.

Check out this recipe