Great Finds at the Gluten Free Food Allergy Fest

When you have food allergies, trips to the grocery store can sometimes be frustrating as many foods you see contain allergens or are processed in a facility where cross-contact can occur.  Often times, I pick up a new package intrigued by what I see only to quickly replace it on the shelf after reading the ingredient list and realizing that it is unsafe for our family.  I had a totally different experience at the Gluten Free Food Allergy Fest hosted by Living Without’s Gluten Free and More- it was like an amazing trip to the food allergy friendly grocery store!

The Gluten Free Food Allergy Fest, held in multiple locations throughout the year, is a public show that brings together vendors, speakers, chefs and members of the gluten-free and food allergy community for two days of sharing, learning and tasting!  I was at the show in Indianapolis on October 24^th and 25^th.  Aisles of vendors touting gluten free and allergy friendly items filled the Indiana State Fairgrounds Expo Hall.  I talked to so many great vendors dedicated to making safe and tasty products.  Here are a few of my favorite finds from the Fest to help you Thrive On with food allergies.

I.M. Healthy Granola

We love granola at our house and I often make it from scratch since what I find at the store is unsafe for us.  I was so excited to see a nut-free granola option! We use I.M. Healthy Soy Butter as our go-to peanut butter alternative so I was intrigued when I saw other products at their table.  They now have granola and it comes in four different varieties: Original, Blueberry, Apple, and Raisin Cranberry.  In addition to granola, they are also making variety of gluten free cornflake crumbs- just like bread crumbs but gluten free!

I brought some of the granola home and after only a few days were out!  My daughters have been adding it to yogurt and eating it plain.  It is great to know we have a safe and yummy option for granola!

Living Now Mixes and Pasta

Now Foods offers a number of food products under a series of four different names and their Living Now line is gluten free and free of the top 8 allergens.  They offer boxed mixes, grains, flours and a new line of quinoa pasta.  I spoke to the rep and he said that while they do offer other products that contain allergens their Living Now line is produced in a dedicated allergy friendly facility, and their products are non-GMO.

I got to try the new quinoa pasta and it was delicious!

Freedom Foods Cereal and Granola Bars

I knew about Freedom Foods before I attended the GFFAFest in Columbus, OH earlier this year as they sell their free-from top 8 products at our grocery store.  While in Columbus, I fell even more in love with these products as I learned that they test multiple times throughout the manufacturing process for the presence of allergens and that they source locally for ingredients.  So in Indy, I was thrilled to see new cereal options – including All Round Goodness (think safe maple syrup flavored cheerios) and Fruity Rainbow Rocks (think a healthy and safe version of Fruity Pebbles).  Freedom Foods is now also offering granola bars- a great safe option for grab and go snacking.  All of their products are free from: gluten, wheat, nuts, dairy, eggs, soy and sesame.

Brooke’s Mixes

Brooke’s is an Indiana based candy company that offers a line of cake, cookie and brownie mixes.  All of their mixes are gluten and rice free.  I was intrigued by this brand because so many people I have met that cannot eat rice often have an issue finding safe options as a lot of allergy friendly options use rice flour as an alternative.   These mixes tout a small ingredient list and are so tasty!  If you are dealing with other allergens be sure to read labels as the mixes are produced in a facility where other allergens are present. 

I had such a great time in Indy finding new products and meeting others in the food allergy and gluten free community!  I also had the opportunity to speak at the Fest on how to celebrate the holidays safely with food allergies and Celiac disease.  I loved sharing tips and tricks for safely navigating the holiday season.  If you missed it, don’t worry!  I am offering a special session this holiday season on how to keep the holidays safe.  You get a 30-minute education session on staying safe during the holidays, a holiday allergy action plan template, and 2 allergy friendly recipes.  Contact me today to schedule your session and be ready to safely navigate the holidays!

If you find this post helpful learn more about Tami and her company, Thrive On Consulting, which helps families and individuals dealing with food allergies at www.thriveonconsulting.net and follow her on Facebook and Twitter