Gluten-free foods have become extremely mainstream in grocery stores and restaurants, and for good reason. The Celiac Disease Center at the University of Chicago Medicine says that celiac disease (an immune reaction to eating gluten) affects every 1 in 133 healthy people in the United States.
If you are wanting to introduce some gluten-free foods into your household, here are some kid-approved snacks to try! You can usually head to your local health food store to find these foods, or maybe your store has a designated gluten-free section. If you are buying any packaged foods, look for the Certified Gluten-Free label that should be clearly displayed on the packaging.
Hummus Dip
Hummus is made from chickpeas, which are naturally gluten-free. It is a great source of plant-based protein, offering 1.2 grams of protein per tablespoon. Eat hummus with some dippable veggies or with cauliflower crackers.
Cauliflower Crackers
Cauliflower is a common ingredient in a lot of gluten-free foods. Its neutral flavor and binding properties make it great for things like crackers and pizza crusts! Pick up some of these crackers at your local health food store.
Banana Chips
Banana chips are great for many reasons! They don’t have to be refrigerated, they are lunchbox/backpack friendly and they are considered “healthy” (as long as you know there is no added sugar.) If your kiddo craves crunchy, salty and sweet snacks, try banana chips.
Banana chips are also great for adding crunch and texture to some of your favorite foods. Crumble them on top of your next salad, or mix them in with your ice cream for a salty-sweet crunch.
Chocolate Covered Almonds
This sweet treat can be a great substitute when you are craving sugary snacks. You can easily make these at home with raw almonds and semi-sweet chocolate. Just melt your chocolate per the package instructions, dip in the almonds one at a time and set aside on parchment paper to cool. When the chocolate has set, start snacking!
Harvest Snaps Green Pea Snack Crisps
Get your kiddos to eat their veggies with green pea snack crisps from Harvest Snaps. These crisps come in so many different flavors, so you are bound to find a flavor that your kiddos will love. Each serving packs 5 grams of protein and is a great source of iron, calcium and potassium.
Beef Jerky
Another great source of protein, beef jerky can be a lifesaver when hunger strikes. However, not all beef jerky is made gluten-free. Make sure you check the labels or try making it yourself with a food dehydrator!
HONORABLE MENTION: Limited Edition Gluten-Free Oreos
Finally a tummy-friendly version of milk’s favorite cookie! Now, this snack is not healthy in any sense… but everything is good in moderation, right?
ThriveMarket.com has an endless selection of health foods to choose from on their website, and you can have it all shipped directly to your house. If there is a gluten-free product that you have been wanting to try but can’t find it in the store, check out Thrive Market online.
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