Laura Kenny, MS, RD, CD
As a Registered Dietitian and consumer on a gluten-free diet, you may think I spend my weekends and evenings cooking delicious yet healthy gluten-free foods. While I am a big fan of experimenting in the kitchen, my hectic schedule frequently intervenes, and I am forced to rely on gluten-free convenience foods. Therefore, I have compiled a list of my top seven favorite gluten-free products (by ingredients) that are delicious, healthy and less expensive than gluten-free specialty products.
- Minute® Ready to Serve Whole Grain Brown Rice – These single-serving containers are perfect additions to any lunch box. One container has 230 calories, 5 grams (g) of protein and 4 g fiber. While the calories may seem high, the rice is extremely filling and provides lots of healthy whole-grain energy. While the company makes 9 different flavors, only 6 are gluten-free so be sure to read the labels.
- Chex Cereals® – From chocolate to honey nut, the Chex cereal line covers all my favorite flavors with no cost or calorie guilt. The company offers 6 different flavors of gluten-free cereals including the latest product, Apple-Cinnamon. Even the plain corn and rice flavors are delicious when spruced up with fresh fruit!
- Gorton’s Grilled Salmon Fillets – One fillet contains 100 calories, 15 g of protein and 3 g of heart healthy fat. These salmon fillets are a natural source of omega-3’s and are easy to prepare in the oven or microwave when fresh salmon is not available.
- Nature Valley® Almond Crunch Roasted Nut Crunch Bars – A great snack option for mid-afternoon fatigue or after an intense work-out. Each bar is made from almonds, peanuts and sunflower seeds and contains 190 calories, 9 g of monounsaturated fat (heart healthy) and 6 g of protein.
- Quaker Rice Cakes – No malt flavoring in these 7 delicious flavors of rice cakes. Each cake has between 35-60 calories and only 15-30 mg of sodium. All flavors have whole grain brown rice as the first ingredient and contain 5 -10 g whole grain per serving.
- Tyson Grilled and Ready Chicken Breast Strips – One of the most flexible chicken products available, these pre-cooked strips can be added to salads, stir-fry, soups and casseroles. Each 3 oz serving contains 100 calories and 21 g protein. Be sure to read labels as all flavors are not gluten-free.
- Luna Protein Bars – All 5 Luna Protein bar flavors are gluten-free. Ranging from 170-190 calories with 12 g of protein, 3 g of fiber and a variety of added vitamins, each bar provides a quick burst of energy ideal for a snack, post-workout or even as a meal-replacement. The best part about these bars is their delicious and rich flavors.