A few of our favorite things

Is there anything more embarrassing than running into your hairdresser at the grocery store at 9:30pm when you look like this?

 

Except, my hair didn't even look this good.  It was Monday night- in every sense of the word "Monday".  I was sporting the Half-Frumpasaur (I managed to be wearing jeans instead of sweatpants), un-waxed eyebrows and upper lip.  I think there was kid snot on my coat.  We chatted for a few minutes about healthy food- which always makes me feel like a big fat (emphasis on fat) hypocrite as I'm not the gluten-free, casein-free, mostly natural eater- Isaac is.  I had cake for lunch today.  Still, I am the one that researches and buys the food.  Turns out my hairdresser ended up loving the Earth Balance Spread that I suggested to her.  This got me thinking that it might be helpful for gfcf eaters or even vegans to see a list of some of our favorite food items.  Special food is expensive so trying new things is always a gamble.  Knowing that someone else has tried it and likes it is always helpful.  So without further ado, here is a list of some of our favorite things:

1) Glutino pretzels

2) Crunchmaster crackers

3) Mary's Gone Crackers

4) Kinnikinnick Animal Crackers

5) Cherrybrook Kitchen baking/pan cake mixes

6) Chebe bread

7) Enjoy Life Chocolate Chips

8) Xgave Nectar

9) Earth Balance Spread

10) Bob's Red Mill All Purpose Flour

11) Bob's Red Mill Xanthum Gum

12) Bob's Red Mill GF steal cut oats

13) Eco-planet original gf hot cereal

14) S.O. Delicious Original Coconut Milk

15) S.O. Delicious Coconut Ice Cream

16) Tinkyada Brown Rice Pasta

17) Daiya Vegan Cheese Shreds

18) Amy's frozen Gluten Free Dairy Free Soy Free Mac N Cheese

19) Earth Balance Almond Butter sweetened with Agave

20) Food Should Taste Good Sweet Potato Chips

21) Fearn Brown Rice Baking Mix

22) Gluten-Free Full Flavor gravy mix

23) Erewhon GF Organic Crispy Brown Rice Cereal

"Normal" GFCF Options:

1) Hebrew National hot dogs

2) Meijer Brand Kettle Corn

3) Instant Brown Rice

4) Orieda Brand potato products

5) McDonald's fries

6) Although not completely Feingold friendly, we use a lot of turkey bacon and sausage for quick, semi-healthy protein boosters for Isaac.  Protein and fat help balance yeast.

I've picked our favorite foods based on not just being gfcf, but also limited corn ingredients and low sugar.  This is a working list.  Hope this helps!  There are a ton of options out there, but not all gfcf options are quality choices.  Sometimes they are packed with sugar which is not good for any kid, especially one on the spectrum.  Read labels and watch for reactions.  That's my best (un-professional) advice.  If you think your kid is acting crazy after eating corn based cereal, then he probably is.  Be observant and you'll soon have your own list of favorite things.