Gluten Free Travel Blog

Our New Favorite Gluten-Free Snack Bar -- Great for Travel, Too!

There have been a lot of gluten-free "bars" that have come out in the past few years: breakfast bars, snack bars, protein bars. Whatever they're called, they typically make a good, quick breakfast or snack when you're on-the-go. They're also perfect for packing on a trip, especially when your access to safe gluten-free foods is unknown.  Some of our family's favorite "bars" are the LUNA protein bars (mint chocolate chip in particular!) and EnviroKidz Organic Crispy Rice bars (I like the ones with peanut butter for that extra protein). But recently Pamela's launched their new "Whenever Bars" which we absolutely love! 

These healthy snack bars come in FOUR flavors: Oat Blueberry Lemon, Oat Chocolate Chip Coconut, Oat Cranberry Almond, and Oat Raisin Walnut Spice. We have only tried two flavors so far -- the Oat Blueberry Lemon and the Oat Chocolate Chip Coconut. Commenting on the Oat Chocolate Chip Coconut, our gluten-free son said, "Mom, these taste just like cookies." He is right. They taste too good to be as healthy as they are! I love the fact that they're made with gluten-free oats and other whole grains and lightly sweetened only with agave and coconut sugar. Many of the ingredients in the bars are organic, and they contain no trans fats. Who is it that says, "Kid Tested. Mother Approved"? Well, that pretty much sums it up. Lots of the things you want in a healthy snack, and none of the things you don't!

Althuogh I, too, loved the Oat Chocolate Chip Coconut variety, I think my personal favrorite is probably the Oat Blueberry Lemon. It has just the perfect amount of subtle lemon flavor -- not too overpowering. They are quite tasty. Needless to say, these first two boxes of Pamela's Whenever Bars that we purchased did NOT last long in our house...time to buy some more! 

Unfortunately, since they are new, we have not been able to find them as easily as some of Pamela's other products. Our hope is that they get them into all the stores that stock their other great products like their Baking and Pancake Mix and Cornbread and Muffin Mix (both staples in our house and what we consider "best in category").

Granted, there are plenty of other gluten-free snack bars we have yet to try, including NuGo bars. As we sample more, we'll certainly report back with our thoughts. And PLEASE share your thoughts on YOUR favorite snack bars by clicking on "Comments" below. 

Glutino and Gluten Free Pantry: Our Top-Picks for the Nostalgic Tastes You Remember From Before You Were Gluten-Free...

Just about everyone following a gluten-free diet has heard of Glutino and Gluten Free Pantry, two of the bigger manufacturers specializing in gluten-free products. Glutino has been around for decades, and in 2004 they acquired Gluten Free Pantry's line of award-winning baking mixes, founded by renowned Celiac chef Beth Hillson. All their products are tested to contain less than 20 ppm (parts per million) of gluten. 

We've been buying Glutino and Gluten Free Pantry products since Day One when our son was diagnosed with Celiac, before he was even two years old. Glutino has also been kind enough to send me new products to sample periodically. And some new products we discover all on our own. We have our favorites, like one new discovery I wanted to share with you...which reminds me of a popular gluten-filled product you may be missing since going gluten-free.

It's Glutino's Table Crakers, and they're the closest thing in taste to those Saltines you likely remember (and maybe still crave!). I noticed them for the first time last week while shopping at Whole Foods, so I picked up a box, hoping they'd be a new cracker option for my son, who hasn't seemed particularly excited about most gluten-free crackers we try. Well, I'm not sure he appreciated the taste as much as I did, because he certainly wouldn't remember eating a Saltine before he was two (if he even did have them -- I can't recall!). But WOW...they were crisp, tasty, and reminded me so much of that much-loved plain Saltine cracker that's very much off limits for anyone following a gluten-free diet! They are also larger than Saltines, and I was particularly impressed that the batch I bought was NOT broken, they way I've found many gluten-free crackers we buy (even other types from Glutino). 

Another favorite that allows GF folks to have the pleasure of an all-American treat is Glutino's new "Genius" sandwich bread. I particularly like using the white sandwich bread to make classic grilled-cheese sandwiches. The bread is light, airy, and makes the perfect grilled-cheese. Just spread a little butter or olive oil on each slice of bread, and get as basic or as fancy as you like with the cheese and other fillings. For "regular" sandwiches I prefer to use the Genius multigrain sandwich bread, just because it's healthier. For all sorts of great recipes using their Genius bread and other products, be sure to visit the recipe page of Glutino's website. 

Glutino's yogurt-covered and chocolate-covered pretzels are another big hit in our household. Until Glutino introduced them, I don't think there was a gluten-free version on the market. It's nice to be able to enjoy this uniquely sweet and salty snack again, and Glutino does a great job replicating the "real thing!" No big surprise, since their gluten-free pretzels are fantastic...and, in my opinion, nearly indistinguishable from gluten-filled varieties.  

If you or your kids are yearning for those "Apple Jacks" you had to give up when going gluten-free, Glutino makes a great substitute: their Apple Cinnamon Rings cereal. While this has been on the market for a while, it's a relatively new discovery in our household and a hit with our older son who isn't even Celiac. My own personal favorite among Glutino's cereals is their Berry Sensible Beginnings cereal, which is like lightly sweetened corn flakes (these are actually corn/rice flakes) and filled with real freeze-dried strawberries, which soften up nicely when you add milk. It's just the right amount of sweetness...not overly so. 

I'd have to say I haven't tried a Gluten-Free Pantry baking mix I haven't liked (although there are still plenty I need to sample). But our all-time favorite is definitely the Chocolate Truffle Brownie Mix. Oh my goodness...they are to DIE for! First off, no one can tell they are gluten-free. They are so rich and moist and delicious that we have family members that gleefully make them every time they hear we will be coming to visit! It is a good excuse for them to make what has now become their favorite brownie mix!  These brownies are filled with little chunks of chocolate and don't need any icing...they're perfect plain or sprinkled with a dusting of powdered sugar. Once you try the Chocolate Truffly Brownie Mix, I'd be surprised if you ever bought another type of GF brownie mix again!

So there you have it...gluten-free folks can certainly enjoy plenty of All-American favorites, thanks to Glutino and Gluten Free Pantry. Lest you think I'm completely biased, I will share that there are a few Glutino products we aren't crazy about. In my family's opinion, their Glazed and Chocolate Glazed donuts don't measure up to Kinnikinnick's donuts in terms of taste or consistency. (Our favorite is Kinnikinnick's cinnamon sugar variety.)  Glutino's bagels, too, are not spectacular...a bit heavy and dense. However, they have several varieties, including cinnamon raisin, which has a good flavor. We're torn between whether we prefer Glutino's or Udi's. Neither is the "perfect" bagel...perhaps that is near impossible to achieve. While Glutino's is too heavy, Udi's in some ways is too airy...more like bread, not a bagel consistency. I guess it's a matter of personal preference. 

I'd love to hear about YOUR favorite Glutino and Gluten Free Pantry products -- or any recipes you've tried that incorporate their products -- so please leave a comment below! 

GlutenFreeTravelSite Updates Its Celiac Resources Page With More Helpful Information and Links for Gluten Free Dining and Travel

We just finished expanding and updating our Resources page on GlutenFreeTravelSite, and we think you'll like the result. It's a treasure trove of links to helpful sites and products that make living gluten-free -- and especially traveling and dining out -- easier and more enjoyable.

You'll find links to all the major Celiac associations, both U.S.-based and international, including direct links to their pages with local chapter contact information. This is helpful to have when planning a trip, since a quick call to the local support group at your destination can often yield great advice. I'd especially recommend doing this when traveling internationally.

Our Resources page also contains a complete guide to Cruising gluten-free, with contact information and the gluten-free policies of all major cruise lines included. Fortunately, most cruise ships now have at least basic gluten-free foods available, and some cruise lines go the extra mile to make their GF guests feel special with all sorts of wonderful GF treats. If a cruise vacation is something you're considering, you can also visit our Caribbean page of reviews, which contains user-submitted reviews of all the major cruise lines.

Other helpful sections of our Resources page include information on handy travel guidebooks...recommended resorts...requesting GF meals on airlines...grocery guides and GF product listings...our favorite Blogs...and a link to a great source for gluten-free groceries (if you sign up for their emails, you'll get regular offers to save 10% on your order). 

Tell us what you think -- and feel free to share any other resources you consult for gluten-free dining and travel!

 

SOYJOY Gluten-Free Snack Bar: Travels Well

We're fortunate to have a wide range of tasty gluten-free snack bars to choose from these days. Personally, I'm a big fan of Larabars and Kind fruit and nut bars, and my son likes all the EnviroKidz crispy rice snack bars. I hadn't tried SOYJOY bars until recently, when a company representative sent me their new Pineapple flavor to try. 

They are very different from any snack bar I've ever had...a very different consistency. Not better, not worse...just different. It's hard to explain, so I'd encourage you to try one of their seven flavors for yourself if you have the opportunity. You'll know with the first bite or two if you're a fan. Chances are, you'll like the flavor (choices are blueberry, banana, strawberry, apple, berry, mango coconut, and the new pineapple). It's the texture and consistency that you might have to get used to...perhaps an acquired taste...at least it was for me. It's a small bar and somewhat dry, but flavorful. The thing I liked is that they don't get crushed like some softer snack bars or melt on the outside like others coated or drizzled in chocolate. In other words, they travel well, and that's important...because after all, what gluten-free guy or girl on-the-go doesn't carry a small snack or two with them at all times? 

And SOYSOY seems healthier than most other bars. It's baked with whole soy and real fruit -- and minimally processed -- so you get an all-natural and powerful combination of protein, fiber and other nutrients, including omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. That's a lot better than some other snack bars which are more like glorified desserts, full of sugar and carbs but not much in the way of nutritional value. The pineapple bar I tried has 4 grams of protein, 3 grams of fiber, and only 140 calories. I like that SOYJOY does not contain any artificial colors, flavors, or trans fats -- all of which I try to avoid. But one word of warning for any of you with peanut allergies: While the bars do not contain peanuts, the label clearly states that SOYJOY is manufactured on equipment that also processed peanuts and tree nuts.

SOYJOY is not the most filling snack, because it's small...but it still did a good job of tying me over to my next meal, probably because of the high amount of protein and fiber. I'd recommend trying one of the bars for a new taste and new healthy snack option. SOYJOY bars are relatively easy to find, too. They're sold at various grocery, health, and natural food stores around the country for $1.29 per bar. There's a handy store locator on the top right of their home page. 

I'd love to know what YOU think -- if and when you try a SOYJOY bar. Let me know your favorite flavor and when you enjoy them...breakfast?...mid-afternoon snack?...when traveling?...or as a meal substitute when you're stuck without gluten-free options? 

Gluten Free Pasta and Gluten Free Ice Cream Cone Review

As you all know, I don't typically review gluten-free products in this Blog...the focus is typically on gluten-free restaurant dining and travel. But recently I was sent some samples of gluten-free products from Goldbaum's, a company based in Brooklyn, NewYork. While I was very familiar with their gluten-free ice cream cones, I had never tried their gluten-free brown rice pasta. 

First...the ice cream cones...

I have to say I've never tried any gluten-free brands other than Goldbaum's, nor can I even recall seeing any other gluten-free brands sold in stores. And that's just fine...in my opinion, nothing could come close anyways!  Goldbaum's cones are really quite delicious and literally undetectable from "regular" gluten cones. Our family especially loves their Cocoa cones, which are like traditional "sugar" cones but are a slightly darker color and have the wonderful taste of chocolate! They are our new "favorite" cones. Goldbaum's sent us their regular sugar cones, in addition to their larger "Jumbo Cones," which look like their version of waffle cones. Both are equally tasty, and oh how great that gluten-free kids can now feel just like other kids, with ice cream dripping out of a giant waffle cone! 

Goldbaum's also makes two varieties of the "cake"-style cone, one called Ice Cream Cups (they look like traditional cake cones) and one called Cake Cones that look like the traditional sugar cones. Confusing, I know...but the point is, there are many varieties. We first saw the cones in our local Giant food store in the suburbs outside of Washington, DC. Goldbaum's retail base has been steadily growing, and their products are now available in Whole Foods, Shop Rite, King's, Stop and Shop, and Price Chopper. All their cones are gluten-free, GMO-free, vegan, and Kosher.

Their gluten-free brown rice pasta is another interesting story...

We were sent the fettuccine and the spirals. It's nice that they sent us the samples, because I probably would not have purchased this product on my own. Nothing against Goldbaum's, but I'm not typically the biggest fan of the brown rice pastas I've tried, even when preparing them "al dente" so they don't end up mushy. Our gluten-free son -- and our whole family -- usually prefer some of the gluten-free pastas that are a combination of rice, corn, and other flours...or a quinoa pasta.

But I have to say...we really enjoyed Goldbaum's brown rice pasta, and I can't put my finger on what was different about it. I think part of it was the consistency...it seemed to "hold up" better than other brown rice pastas, to have a little more "heft," if you will. As always, I veered on the side of undercooking it, following the 7 minutes of the 7-10 minute instructions. (Always test it by taking a strand or two of the pasta from the pot and tasting it before draining. Each gluten-free pasta seems to require a different cooking time.) 

The great thing about Goldbaum's pastas are that they are not only gluten-free, but GMO-free and Kosher, too.  Another recent "sampler" of their pasta was so won over, they will soon be using Goldbaum's pastas at all their restaurants!  I'm talking about Picazzo's Organic Italian Kitchen, with locations throughout Arizona. They currently offer Ancient Harvest gluten-free quinoa pasta to their gluten-free guests and will also be adding Goldbaum's gluten-free brown rice pasta as a second option. I'm sure the addition of any of their tasty gluten-free sauces will make a delicious pasta entree indeed! 

It's interesting how people all have their favorite brands/types of gluten-free pasta. To each his own! What's YOUR favorite gluten-free pasta, and how do you cook it? Have you served it to guests without telling them it was gluten-free? Could they tell the difference? Please share your comments below!

 

Check out Bloom Grocery Store's New Gluten-Free Section

Do you have a Bloom grocery store near you? If so, you're in luck...

Bloom is one of our neighborhood grocery stores. It used to be Food Lion, but was converted to Bloom a couple years ago like the other Food Lions around this area of Northern Virginia. They've always had a pretty decent selection of gluten-free foods, and they had them fairly well consolidated in their natural foods section near the produce area of the store. 

When I visited the store a couple weeks ago and went to this area to grab a few of our usual gluten-free staples, I had a momentary scare. The shelves in those few aisles that stocked natural/organic/gluten-free food seemed emptier than usual. I thought perhaps they were getting rid of this special section. But upon closer inspection, I realized ALL the food on those shelves was now gluten-free. They had removed the other "natural" and "organic" foods that weren't gluten-free and integrated them into other areas of the store. They seemed to have converted these aisles to an exclusively gluten-free area and had some new gluten-free brands/products on the shelves, although the area was still clearly in transition. The freezer cases nearby were also dedicated to gluten-free foods, with many new brands the store previously had not carried! 

 

I cannot tell you how thrilled I was, and my boys (including our younger one with Celiac) were with me, and we all got very excited. I was in a rush that day and so could not stop to talk with a manager about the wonderful changes, but when I went back last week, I did. Apparently they are slowly rolling out this gluten-free area in all their stores. I plan to request any of our favorite gluten-free products that they don't currently carry so they will start stocking them (i.e. Udi's line of breads and baked goods). Then perhaps I will be able to do almost all my shopping at Bloom, as opposed to running all over to various stores to "complete" our family's gluten-free shopping! Thank you Bloom!!!!

Don't forget to Search our database of user-submitted reviews on GlutenFreeTravelSite for more feedback on grocery stores, restaurants, and hotels/resorts, and cruise lines around the world that accommodate gluten-free diets. Our Search/Mapping page even lets you narrow your search to the city/town or zip code level.

Delicious Gluten-Free Cake Mix and other gluten-free snacks

The folks at Claridge Natural Foods, whose brands include Ian's, Glutino, and Gluten Free Pantry, recently sent me an assortment of products to sample. Most were products our family hadn't tried before, and boy was I glad we had the opportunity! 

My box included the following: Gluten Free Pantry Chocolate Chip Cookie and Cake Mix, Gluten Free Pantry French Bread and Pizza Mix, Glutino Gluten Free Breakfast Bars in Cherry and Strawberry, Ian's "Go Bars" in both Apple Pie and Cinnamon Bun flavors, and Ian's Animal Cookies. 

We must start with my favorite...the Gluten Free Pantry Chocolate Chip Cookie and Cake Mix. I followed the recipe for the cake, and all I can say is, "YUMMY!!!" I really think this is the best gluten-free cake I've ever had, and I've made quite a few in the past 5 years, some from recipes and many from mixes (Betty Crocker, Cherrybrook Kitchen, Namaste, 1-2-3 Gluten Free, Authentic Foods, and Cravings Place, all of which I'd give a very good rating, and various other brands I didn't like as much). But there was something about the Gluten Free Pantry Chocolate Chip Cookie and Cake Mix that was different...it was moister, more flavorful, and you wouldn't in a million years guess it was gluten-free. I think the "secret ingredient" in the recipe that is responsible for the moistness is the sour cream (it calls for one cup -- I used a "light," but NOT non-fat, variety). The cake had a perfect texture, with none of the crumbling or dryness typical of gluten-free cakes. Even two days later it was still moist. (At that point, I froze what little was left so my son could have a special treat to take to the next Birthday party he's invited to! The other kids will be wishing they were as lucky!) Gluten Free Pantry recently changed its packaging, so here's what the box looks like now. I meant to take a picture of the cake itself -- a layer cake that I frosted with homemade chocolate buttercream icing -- but I forgot, it was devoured so quickly!!

I'm definitely going to order more of this mix. Although it's tempting to keep making the cake, I'm anxious to see how the recipe for the chocolate chip cookies turns out! This brand -- and all the brands of the items I'll be reviewing in this post -- are available at most stores that stock a wide variety of gluten-free products. The challenge just may finding a particular product. For example, I had no problem finding Gluten Free Pantry products on store shelves (sometimes even at "mainstream" grocery stores), but I was unable to find the Chocolate Chip Cookie and Cake Mix. So, if you have the same problem, I'd suggest ordering online. I've found the best place to order this product (and all the items mentioned here) is glutenfree.com, which is an online "gluten-free superstore" offering over 30 brands and 500 products. Their prices are the best, too...the cake mix is $4.79, while other sites such as Amazon.com had it listed for around $20 (yes, $20 for the ONE box!). 

I have not yet tried the Gluten Free Pantry French Bread and Pizza Mix, but I think I'd like to follow the bread recipe, as opposed to the pizza crust. There are instructions on the box for making it with or without a bread machine. 

 

Now for the Breakfast Bars and "Go Bars"...

I personally prefer the Ian's "Go Bars" which have a rice-crispy-bar consistency. They are nice and soft and both the Apple Pie and Cinnamon Bun flavors are really tasty. I had never tried (or even seen) these products, so it's nice to have another good gluten-free snack bar to choose from, whether you keep them on-hand for a quick breakfast item or as a snack-food. They're individually wrapped and perfect for throwing in a purse or tote bag and taking with you "on the road." 

Another great gluten-free travel snack are the Glutino Gluten Free Breakfast Bars, which we sampled in both cherry and strawberry. I had bought these before, in both blueberry and apple. Our gluten-free son isn't nuts about them...but he'll eat them. I think he prefers the Ian's "Go Bars." I have to agree...the Glutino Breakfast Bars aren't bad...they're just a little dry. Although I have to say that the ones I got directly from the manufacturer were "fresher" than those I've bought on store shelves! Overall, they have a good flavor and aren't too sweet. They are also egg-free, casein-free, milk free, cholesterol-free, and low-fat!  If you compare the boxes for these two snack bar products, however, it's very revealing. The one I thought would be higher in sugar (Ian's "Go Bars") is actually LOWER (7 g of sugar per bar, as opposed to 13 g of sugar per bar or the Glutino Breakfast Bars). Go figure. I think which kind you prefer is really just a factor of personal preference...they are two entirely different products.

Last but not least are the Ian's Animal Cookies, which come in a 7 oz. re-sealable ziploc-style bag. They are better than other animal cookies we've tried in the past (I can't remember the specific brands we'd tried, but it was a while back, and because they weren't very good, we didn't buy them again). But Ian's are great...crispy and with a good flavor (they taste like "regular" animal cookies). Best of all, they don't have any artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives...the kind of product I like to buy for my kids. 

I'll keep you posted on the French Bread Mix and let you know how it turns out... 

Target Stocks a Surprisingly Large Selection of Gluten-Free Foods

We visited a Target in our area yesterday that recently expanded their grocery section. In addition to marveling about their wonderful selection of national brands, Archer Farms private label items, and even gourmet items, we were thrilled to see an end-cap display of GLUTEN FREE ITEMS. Yes, they are worthy of an end-cap (see below)!!
There were gluten-free flours, cake mixes, pasta, crackers, cereals, cookies, breakfast bars, mac-n-cheese, snack foods, and more! And there were more gluten-free items mixed into the other aisles as well. You probably can't find all your favorite gluten-free grocery items there, but you can definitely "get by" with their selection of some of the better tasting products, like the kid-friendly gluten-free mac-n-cheese by Annie's, EnviroKidz cereals. Glutino pretzels, and cake mixes from Betty Crocker and Bob's Red Mill. My only complaint -- and this pretty much applies to ALL grocery stores -- is that, aside from this one end-cap display, the gluten-free items are scattered about, so you really have to scour each aisle looking for that "gluten-free needle in a haystack" hidden among glutenous items. It would be so much easier to dedicate an aisle or two to ALL the gluten-free items. The store we visited, for example, had gluten-free pasta on the end-cap and in the pasta aisle. You felt like you'd better go down each aisle for fear of missing a great gluten-free find. But thank you, Target, for giving me and my family ONE MORE REASON to shop your wonderful store!!