Eating Gluten-Free on a Budget

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In the February issue of Today’s Dietitian, Jessica Jones, MS, RD gave 9 helpful tips for clients with celiac disease who are looking for budget-friendly, gluten-free options. According to Jones, celiac disease and nonceliac gluten sensitivity now affect 3 million Americans, with gluten-free product sales expected to reach $5 billion by the year 2015. However, the gluten-free aisle of the grocery store may not always be the place to search for the best deals.

Here are some tips, courtesy of Jones, to making a gluten-free lifestyle easier on patients’ budgets:
·         Choose naturally gluten-free foods – fruits and veggies, nuts, beans, and eggs are all examples of foods that are naturally free of gluten
·         Don an apron – it is cheaper for clients to make their own gluten-free foods, such as cookies, than to purchase them at the grocery store
·         Buy in bulk – using coupons to buy gluten-free products in larger quantities may be cheaper than purchasing them only when needed
·         Make gluten free a family affair – making gluten-free meals for the entire family rather than just one person saves from purchasing both gluten-free and regular products
·         Find deals on the Internet – patients may be able to find better deals on websites, such as Amazon, than in the grocery store
          (Jones, 2014)


For the rest of Jones’ tips for budget-friendly, gluten-free shopping, check out the full article at: http://www.todaysdietitian.com/newarchives/020314p14.shtml


Jones, J. (2014). Are clients on a budget? Here’s a money-saving guide to eating gluten free. Today’s Dietitian: The Magazine for Nutrition Professionals, 16(2), 14-15.


-SH

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