The Best Gluten Free Snacks

Glutino Super Stuffed Chocolate Vanilla Cream Cookie

Many tend to complain when sampling gluten-free foods, especially desserts, that the item just doesn’t taste “authentic.” We can assure you that is absolutely not the case with these little sandwich cookies. Just dunk these little twistable delights into some milk, and you’ll swear you’re snacking on a childhood classic. The filling is soft and smooth, and the outside is sturdy – not powdery or crumbly like other GF cookies tend to be. An extra added benefit of this treat is that they’re also dairy-free and vegan, so they’re sure to satisfy any little cookie monster.

Pros:

• Can be refrigerated to both lengthen the shelf-life as well as to turn them into a refreshing frozen snack
• Low in both fat and calories

Con:

• On the pricier side, but sometimes you just need a good cookie with no compromises

Good Thins Simply Salt Gluten-Free Crackers

Rice is undoubtedly one of the most versatile foods around, and it’s naturally gluten-free. But there are only so many rice cakes a person can eat before they’re left wanting something more interesting. Enter: The rice cracker. These tasty little snacks can be used as a chip for salsa or guacamole, a cracker for cheese or hummus, or eaten simply on their own.  The texture is light and airy, and each cracker packs a satisfying crunch upon taking a bite. Just make sure to stock up when you purchase these crackers since you won’t be able to keep the deliciousness from the rest of your family for long.

Pros:

• In addition to gluten, this snack is also free from soy, corn, and nuts
• Available in eight different flavors

Con:

• May be difficult to find in stores and usually needs to be ordered online

Welch’s Fruit Snacks

Some brands withstand the test of time because of the quality of their products, and we think Welch’s is one of them. Welch’s is known for their use of quality ingredients, which is why we’ve dubbed these classic fruit snacks as our favorite. Every bag of these chewy little bites lists fruit as the first ingredient, and there are no unwanted preservatives. Plus, since there’s real fruit in every bag, these give a small percentage of the daily suggested amount of Vitamins E, A, and C. With ten different flavors available, these will be a hit in any lunchbox, after any baseball game, or as a post-dinner treat.

Pros:

• Can be ordered in variety packs to ensure you can find your favorite flavor
• Are legitimately flavorful, not just overly sweet

Con:

• These tend to harden quickly due to their lack of preservatives

Enjoy Life Soft Baked Apple Cinnamon Ovals 

Some people have to deal with multiple food sensitivities, and it can be a challenge to find satisfying ready-made snacks. That’s a huge reason why we love these breakfast bars from Enjoy Life. This brand is one of the most allergy-friendly ones on the market, and in addition to gluten, the products are free from fourteen other common allergens. You’d never guess that these bars are free from anything, though. They’re soft, chewy, sweet yet savory, and have real pieces of apple baked right in. These bars are available in additional flavors, including banana chocolate chip, maple, and berry, so there’s sure to be a suitable bar to please anyone’s allergy-sensitive palate.

Pros:

• One of the only brands to use a dedicated allergen-free kitchen
• Low in sugar
• Certified kosher and vegan

Con:

• These are a tad crumbly and can produce a bit of a mess, so they may not be ideal for a small child to eat in the car

Bada Bean Bada Boom Crunchy Roasted Fava Beans

Beans probably aren’t what you’d typically choose for an in-between meal bite, but one handful of these, and we think you’ll reconsider. These roasted Fava beans from Bada Bean Bada Boom may be small, but they pack a huge flavor punch. At only 100 calories per bag, they’re the perfect thing to nibble on throughout the day. Besides being low in the bad stuff like sugar and calories, these crunchy snacks are high in the good stuff – namely, fiber and protein. They’re also made with sunflower oil, which is proven to be a heart-healthy choice. The individually-packaged bags are also an excellent substitute for popcorn, and you may even find yourself sneaking these into the movie theater with you.

Pros:

• Available in three flavors – sea salt, BBQ, and Siracha
• Can also be used as a replacement for croutons in soups or salads since they won’t get soggy
• Vegan and Kosher

Cons:

• These snacks are made in a facility that also processes nuts, so they are not completely allergy-friendly across the board

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it healthier to eat gluten-free even if I don’t have to?

No, it isn’t. People who have celiac disease or gluten intolerance have an autoimmune condition in which the body cannot digest certain nutrients, so it’s so important that the foods these people eat are free from harmful ingredients. But if you don’t have any medical reasons to avoid gluten, you could be doing damage to your insides by depriving your body of the vitamins it needs. Besides the health risks unnecessarily avoiding gluten may cause, if you indulge in these allergy-friendly foods, especially the uncommon ones, don’t forget that you’re also using products that other people require.

How do I know for sure if the product I’m purchasing is gluten-free?

These days, many products love to boast that they’re gluten-free with a big label on the packaging. If there’s no apparent label, your next step should be to look for any allergen listing. Manufacturers list common food allergens like nuts, soy, and eggs on a “warning” label near the item’s Nutrition Facts. If you’re still unclear, go through the ingredients list itself and look for any red flags. Aside from the obvious culprits like wheat or non-GF oats, rye and barley are both not gluten-free. It’s also worth noting that “wheat-free” doesn’t always mean the item is gluten-free, too.