Ways To Eat Gluten Free On A Budget For Students

If you have celiac disease, a gluten free diet is not a choice but a way of life. The gluten causes chronic inflammation to the villi in the digestive tract causing problems like skin rashes, bloating and cramping among others. Gluten is also a problem if you have gluten intolerance or sensitivity that is non-celiac. This type of intolerance doesn’t damage the intestinal lining but also causes bloating and sometimes headaches, fatigue or diarrhea after eating food that contains gluten. You can also opt for a gluten free diet although it’s not usually necessary for people without celiac disease or gluten sensitivity by avoiding the normal suspects, wheat, barley and rye.

So how can you stay on a gluten free diet on a student’s budget without burning a hole in your pocket?

Try new eating habits

The main reason why a gluten diet is expensive is because people often try to replace the breads, bagels and muffins with gluten free alternatives, which are usually quite expensive. You can make this gluten free pastries an occasional treat and try to embrace new eating habits. For instance, lettuce wraps, open faces sandwiches and burgers without buns are a great way of eating affordable gluten free meals. Cornbread is also a great bread substitute but remember to read the labels for any indications.

Cut back on restaurant meals and take out

Due to the huge trend of taking gluten free diets, food manufacturers and restaurants are taking advantage of the craze and hiking up the prices of gluten-free foods making it extremely expensive to eat gluten free. You can embrace more homemade gluten free treats by cooking your meals at home. You may have to spend on the raw supplies but these last you a while and it will still be cheaper than eating out.

Embrace a healthier diet

Most of the foods that contain gluten are usually unhealthy and fattening. Bread, muffins, cakes, bagels and croissants are the kinds of foods that are often low in fiber and empty calories. If you have to be on a gluten free diet, you might as well embrace healthier nutrition such as eating more fruits and vegetables, other gluten free grains like rice and so on. Going gluten free can drastically improve your health not because of avoiding the gluten but because you are staying away from the baked pastries that often contain a lot of sugar and fats too.

Gluten free flour blends

You can find affordable gluten free flour blends at your nearest food supplies store. Gluten free flour blends are usually made of various grains, beans, legumes and starches like potatoes, corn or arrowroot. Once you have your ideal flour blend, you can use it to make your favorite meals at home from scratch like quick gluten free pancakes or cupcakes. Gluten free flour blends vary depending on the milling techniques, you may have to try a couple of brands before you find the one that you like best.