I can't afford gluten free foods they are too expensive, what can I do ?

I agree most gluten free foods are
expensive, sometimes too expensive in
my opinion. If you fall below a certain
income most states offer assistance in
the form of food vouchers that are
accepted at most local grocery stores
and health food stores. I live in Texas
and our program is called the Lone Star
Program and the card is excepted at all |
grocery stores, Whole Foods, Sprouts,
Wild Oats, Central Markets and most of
the smaller ethnic and locally owned
health food stores. Never be too proud to
seek help, hold your head high and do
what you have to do to feed yourself and
your family. You might also be able to get
disability if your Sprue is affecting your
health to the point you cannot work outside
the home. If you need help finding a local
agency please contact me at
clubceliac@yahoo.com and I will help you
find this information.

Even if you can afford to shop you may not can
justify paying 7.00 for a pack of 4 doughnuts
or $5.00 for some gluten free pasta. For gluten
substitutes I like to go to Fiesta or Sprouts here
since they have cheap fruit and veggies that are
in excellent condition. I buy a lot of veggies and cook
them at home. If I need a sauce or gravy, I just substitute
cornstarch for the wheat flour as my thickener. If you
do not like cornstarch you can get potato or tapioca
starch cheap at local Asian markets. I also get rice
noodles at Asian markets and rarely do I pay over
$1.25 for a bag of Rice Pasta. Make sure you check to
see it is only rice and water and no wheat starch.
The Pasta I buy is the same stuff Whole Foods and
Central Market carries, except they are marking up
the price, because they sell it as a specialty product.

Wal-Mart just decided that all there vendors that
sale under the Wal-Mart brand name of Great Value
will have to list if there products are gluten free on
the label. This will make shopping much easier for us.
I also by beef, chicken, fish, and pork that has not
been injected with any solutions or have any
batters and use them in a large variety of recipes.

Once you get the hang of how to read labels
you will see that shopping will become more
manageable again. I generally make all our
desserts since I cannot justify for example
paying Whole Foods $9.00 for a small pecan
pie unless it is a special occasion. I hope this
answer helps you and if you need any help
please email me at clubceliac@yahoo.com