8 Great Gluten-Free Foods

If you're following a gluten-free diet, you know you need to avoid wheat, rye, barley, and triticale. That takes off the table a lot of breads, baked goods, cereals, and other foods you may be used to eating. But don't despair. These days, you can find plenty of great gluten-free foods on your supermarket and natural grocery store shelves.

• 

  1. Brown Rice Cereal

  Missing a hot bowl of cream of wheat? Creamy brown rice cereal is the perfect replacement. It cooks in minutes and has the nutritional benefits of whole grains, including potassium and fiber. Top a bowl with honey, sliced banana, and milk for a great start to the day.
• 

  2. Amaranth

  Amaranth, once a staple grain of the Aztecs, is staging a comeback. The tiny brown kernels are high in protein compared to other grains. Amaranth has a slightly peppery taste. Cook it as you would rice, enjoy it as a hot cereal, and use it in pancakes, muffins, and breads.
• 

  3. Gluten-Free Pizza Dough

  Bring on the pizza! Choose a gluten-free pizza crust mix (you stir in oil and water and roll out the crust yourself) or opt for a ready-made gluten-free crust. Just add your favorite pizza sauce, vegetables, meat, and cheeses and bake.
• 

  4. Gluten-Free Snack Bars

  Stashing a granola or snack bar in your purse, briefcase, or desk for hunger emergencies is a good idea. You can find various brands of gluten-free snack bars in grocery stores and online. They contain ingredients such as dried fruit, nuts, seeds, crisp rice, and gluten-free flours.
• 

  5. Rice Crackers

  When you need a crunchy snack, rice crackers are a gluten-free option. They're available in a variety of flavors, including sesame, tamari, almond, and cheese.
• 

  6. Gluten-Free Pasta

  Fortunately for pasta lovers, gluten-free options abound, whether you prefer spaghetti, elbow macaroni, penne, spirals, or some other shape. Different brands use different ingredients, such as corn, brown rice, and quinoa. Try a few products to find your favorites.
• 

  7. Whole Grain, Gluten-Free Waffles

  Toaster waffles topped with yogurt, fruit, or peanut butter make for a healthy breakfast. Opt for gluten-free toaster waffles that have whole grain ingredients, such as brown rice flour and buckwheat flour. Whole grains provide fiber and other nutrients that are missing from refined grains.
• 

  8. Gluten-Free Beer

  You don't have to give up beer just to avoid gluten. A number of breweries now make gluten-free beer that contains no wheat or barley. Sorghum is often used instead. Some brands are even available in supermarkets. So kick back and enjoy a relaxing brew—minus the gluten.