Recently Made the Change to Go Gluten-Free? How to Avoid Breaking the Bank

• Author: Teresa Boehm
• Posted: 2024-04-19

There is no doubt that going gluten-free with your diet can also drain your wallet.

These specialty foods are generally more expensive than conventional products, causing you to do a double-take when you see your grocery bill.

Even though the price is slowly starting to creep down as more people adapt to this way of life, it can still be challenging to adopt a gluten-free diet while keeping your grocery bill in check.

Here are a few ways that you can save money while eating foods that are void of gluten:

 

Adjust Your Expectations

The first thing to keep in mind is that there is no way around spending a little more if you adopt this lifestyle. You simply need to expect to spend more money on your food. Once you adjust your expectations and change your budgeting accordingly, the sticker shock will not be as harsh. You may need to cut back on other expenses to make this fit into your budget. Doing so will make it less frustrating every time that you head to the store.

 

Buy in Bulk and Do Batch Cooking

As with any budget grocery approach, buying in bulk can save you a significant amount of money in the long run. You can also save money if you stock up on shelf-stable items when they are on sale. For example, if your favorite brown rice is on sale, be sure to buy as much as you think you will use before it expires. Once you have this food on hand, consider cooking in large batches. Designating a time each week to cook in large batches will save you both time and money because food is less likely to go to waste. Do not hesitate to freeze some of your meals for use later.

 

Seek Out Coupons

Many gluten-free food manufacturers lean heavily on coupons and special promotions to encourage more people to try their products. Take advantage of this by actively searching for these coupons to use. Some grocery outlets will even let you stack coupons so that you can save even more money. Stock up on your favorite items when you have a coupon. Savvy consumers also find that the internet often offers gluten-free items at a lower cost, particularly if you are willing to buy in bulk.

 

Select Naturally Gluten-Free Foods

The single best way to save money while on a gluten-free diet is to choose foods that are naturally void of this protein. Foods that are not specifically gluten-free will not come with that inflated sticker price. The foods that are the most expensive are those that had to undergo modifications to remove the gluten. Focusing your diet on foods such as fruits, vegetables, meats, seeds, nuts, and dairy products will ensure that you are gluten-free compliant without having to pinch your pennies.

 

Beans Are Your Friend

Individuals who have been gluten-free understand that beans can be an important part of this type of diet. Not only are beans filling, nutritious, and easy to store, but they are also incredibly inexpensive. Consider adding beans to your tacos, salads, and soups for maximum versatility. Because of the high fiber content, you may want to add this food to your diet in small amounts until your body adjusts.

 

Use Gluten-Free Grains

Similar to being intentional about choosing foods that are naturally free of gluten, you should also focus on grains without this protein. For example, instead of spending a lot of money on specialty gluten-free grains, choose grains that are naturally free of gluten. Good choices include rice and quinoa.

 

Get Cooking

One of the biggest challenges of adopting a gluten-free diet is finding compliant foods to eat when dining out. This can translate to good news when looking to save money. Rather than eating out all the time, make an effort to cook more meals at home. What you save on eating out may negate the additional costs that you incur at the grocery store.



There is no getting around the fact that you will need to spend a little money to make gluten-free eating the cornerstone of your diet. However, with a little insight into how to save money, this lifestyle will not break the bank.