It would be an understatement to say that being diagnosed with celiac disease earlier this year completely upended my life. I quickly had to cut gluten — and therefore some of my favorite foods — out of my life for good.
While I was bummed that I'd no longer freely be able to eat whatever I wanted to (now I have to read ingredient labels diligently), I've found some seriously tasty snacks to fill the cookie- and cracker-filled hole in my stomach.
More than three million Americans have celiac disease, a serious autoimmune disorder that causes intestinal damage if left untreated — so sticking to a gluten-free diet is a must. May is Celiac Awareness Month, so I wanted to share the gluten-free snacks I can't get enough of these days.
One pro tip: To avoid potential cross contamination, look for the certified gluten-free label to ensure any snacks you're buying aren't processed in a shared facility. (Looking for tasty A.M. options? Try these gluten-free breakfast recipes.)
Here are the best gluten-free snacks to enjoy munching on this Celiac Awareness Month and beyond.
I first heard of these gluten-free tortilla chips when Gwyneth Paltrow revealed they were her favorite snack on the 2020 Golden Globes red carpet. My go-to flavor is sea salt, which I pair with homemade guac or use to make nachos. Siete's products are free of gluten, corn, dairy, and soy, all of which are common food allergens, and are made with cassava and coconut flour, as well as ground chia seeds instead.
I'm here for cauliflower's rise in popularity over the last couple of years and have enjoyed everything from cauliflower pizza to cauliflower buffalo wings since my celiac disease diagnosis. When I'm craving something crunchy and salty, I reach for these pretzels, which are made from a blend of cauliflower and cassava.
Simple Mills Rosemary & Sea Salt Almond Flour Crackers
I stash boxes of these crackers in my kitchen cabinet because they go fast in my house — my partner, who isn't gluten-free, loves them just as much as I do. They're made from a blend of almond flour, sunflower seeds, and flax seeds and contain three grams of protein per serving. They're great on their own but even better when paired with your favorite cheese.
These lentil chips are super-light and airy — I could eat a whole bag in one sitting if I didn't watch myself. In addition to being certified gluten-free, these chips are also vegan and halal certified. My favorite way to eat them is with homemade baba ganoush.
