Clean living

Here is an ongoing lists of gluten free products/staples that I love. I do a great deal of research and do my best to find the highest quality items for the best prices. I’m always trying to find more affordable/better quality items.

Bread

  • Franz is the most bread-like I’ve found, I just don’t love the ingredient list, so I very rarely buy this
  • Simple mills focaccia bread mix
  • Trader Joe’s multigrain and cinnamon raisin are also great (this is my go-to)
  • Bread Srsly
  • Dave’s Killer Bread (for those who can eat gluten!)

Pasta

I stick to brown rice and stay away from corn or any of the pastas with unneeded ingredients/ ingredients I don’t have in my kitchen

Flours

  • Perfect Flour Blend
    • This is not as “clean” as I would like but it’s the cleanest flour I’ve found that can be subbed 1:1
    • It’s also cheapest at Costco
  • Arrowroot flour
    • sub 1:1 whenever a recipe calls for flour in soups/sauces (any time flour is used to thicken)
    • I love Anthony’s brand- great price and quality.
    • It also works great in batters for fried food
  • Tapioca Flour
    • I don’t love using this since it just turns to sugar in the body, but if used in moderation, then I’m okay with it
    • Again, I love Anthony’s brand and make sure it’s organic
  • Cassava flour
    • I definitely use this in moderation, but it mimics normal flour, so I do enjoy using but just in moderation
  • Gf oats
    • I’ve been buying mine from Trader Joe’s because it’s so cheap, but will be calling them to inquire about their pesticide practices and will update here what I find
  • Almond Flour

Nut butters/Nuts

You can also make your own nut butters, but for store bought, I like these:

  • Unsweetened Sunflower seed butter
    • I get mine from Trader Joe’s
  • Almond butter
    • Costco has a great organic one for a great price
  • Organic Peanut butter
    • Great organic one at Costco for a great price
  • Cashew butter
    • I don’t use this often and don’t love the taste, but use it occasionally when a recipe calls for it. I get mine at Trader Joe’s
  • Bulk nuts at Costco (looking for decent priced organic ones)

Nut Milk

  • I try to alternate my nut milk types since eating too much of the same thing can lead to an intolerance
  • Malk
    • My favorite store-bought option
  • Elmhurst
    • I don’t love that this has natural flavors (here’s why), but I do think it’s a decent option
  • Mooala
    • I wish this didn’t have gellan gum but still decent option
  • I use the Almond Cow machine to make my own since nut milks without fillers are insanely expensive and it saves money in the long run.
  • Modest Mylk
    • A nut milk paste
  • Trader Joe’s Almond Beverage

Sweeteners

  • Raw Honey
    • I get mine at Costco
  • Pure maple syrup
    • Great sub for brown sugar. You can sub 1:1 in most sauces (depending on the sauce you may need to add thickener or simmer longer). If subbing in any other recipe, you may need to play around with ratios. Post coming on this
    • You can get great a great organic one at Costco. It’s the cheapest I’ve ever found
  • Coconut sugar
    • I think it’s worse than fruit sweeteners and maple and honey, but better than refined sugar
    • I like this brand
  • Dates
    • Again, cheapest at Costco

Crackers

Cacao and Chocolate Chips

Cacao is made from cold pressing and has more nutrients (source)

  • 100% Ghirardelli baking chocolate
    • I buy them in bulk on their site through Ebates (Rakuten) and get the cheapest price this way
    • I also use this to make homemade chocolate chips. Recipe here
  • Cacao powder
    • Cheapest and very high quality at Costco
    • If Costco isn’t an option for you, I love this brand
  • Hu chocolate chips are my favorite refined sugar free and df chocolate chips and chocolate bars
  • Sweet Laurel also sells them, but they’re really expensive, so I haven’t tried them.
  • If you’re okay with a little refined sugar here and there, Enjoy Life has ones with good ingredients

Miscellaneous

  • Flax meal
    • I like this brand or this. Anthony’s makes one as well, but I haven’t tried it, but I love their brand. It’s just a superfine powder, so make sure that works for your needs
  • Hemp seeds
  • Pure Vanilla Extract
    • Best price at Costco
  • Cinnamon
    • Best price at Costco
  • Turmeric
    • Best price at Trader Joe’s
  • Himalayan Pink Sea Salt
    • Best price at Costco
  • Redmond’s Real Salt Kosher style
    • I get this on Amazon. It also has naturally occurring iodine! 🥳

Oils

  • Avocado oil
    • Has a high smoke point- I use this when cooking on high heat, roasting high heat, or sub sometimes for coconut oil or butter
    • Best price at Costco and Trader Joe’s (they carry the same great brand)
  • Ghee
    • We don’t eat dairy any more in our family, but ghee is a good option for those who do
    • Best price at Trader Joe’s and Thrive market
  • Coconut oil
    • Can typically sub 1:1 for butter and shortening
    • Does not have a high smoke point- do not use for high heat cooking
    • Best price at Costco
  • Organic olive oil
    • Does not have a high smoke point- don’t use for high heat cooking
    • Best price at Costco

Grains

  • Organic Quinoa
    • Costco has best price
  • Organic White basmati
    • Great price at Trader Joe’s
  • Organic Brown basmati
    • Great price at Trader Joe’s