Are there truly gluten free oats? Yes, there are! In fact, the name itself is sort of a misnomer. All oats are naturally gluten free, really. It’s just that oats are often grown with wheat or barley and because of this, they tend to get cross contaminated.

Technically, when we talk about gluten free oats, it simply refers to those batches that have not been cross contaminated.

Is It Safe To Eat Oats?

If you are intolerant or allergic to gluten, it is best to avoid eating regular oats altogether. This is because, no matter what the claims,  there is the ever present cross contamination threat from oats being grown in the same field as wheat or the same tractors being used on wheat fields and oat fields.

Fortunately for all oat lovers out there who are gluten intolerant, gluten free oats  are now available and they taste the same as any regular variety.

What Are Some Brands Of Gluten Free Oats?

There are quite a few varieties of these gluten free oats on the market. These are some of the most popular and easily available brands:

  • Bob’s red mill
  • GF harvest
  • Glutenfreeda’s
  • Gifts of nature

Bob’s Red Mill: Bob’s Red Mill offering is very good. These oats are grown in a certified gluten free field and they taste amazing. Many versions of oats are tough and kind of chewy but the Bob’s Red Mill variety is actually quite soft, which make them excellent for cooking and baking oatmeal or no bake cookies.

GF Harvest: GF Harvest has a delicious product too. In fact, their oats are the closest thing to the original version you can find. They have a sweet texture and are cut thin, so they make excellent morning oatmeal.

Glutenfreeda’s: Glutenfreeda’s has fabulous instant oatmeal that you’ve just got to try. This is so much better for me, simply because I do not enjoy cooking and I never have time to actually cook a good breakfast. If you feel the same say, Glutenfreeda’s will take away your worries. These instant oatmeal packets are very much like the instant Quaker oats you find in the market. This microwaveable version is a little heavier than other oatmeal versions and it makes you feel full after you eat it. A bonus for those busy hours between breakfast and lunch.

Gifts Of Nature: Gifts Of Nature also has great oatmeal. Their oatmeal is full flavored and robust. The plus side is they come in large packages as well, so you don’t have to buy them every other day.

Different Ways To Eat Your Oatmeal

I love oatmeal and I could probably think of a million ways to eat it. For one, they make a great fulfilling breakfast. Simply cook them, add a little brown sugar and you’re good to go. Now, you can add all sorts of things to oatmeal. I like cranberries in my bowl. However, I know plenty of people who like raisins, pears, bananas or other fruits with theirs.

If you aren’t much for the breakfast oatmeal, try baking a batch of home-made oat cookies or perhaps a batch of no bake cookies using gluten free oats. You’ll be amazed at how delicious they taste!

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Are you looking for a list of gluten free foods? If so, you aren’t alone. Over four percent of the population has been diagnosed with Celiac Disease, which is essentially a sensitivity or intolerance to gluten, a common ingredient in many foods. Surprisingly, despite the relatively high numbers of diagnosed individuals, there are still many people out there who are currently undiagnosed.

In fact, if you are to remain asymptomatic, a list of gluten free foods is a must-have if you suffer from Celiac Disease. Without a list it is easy to slip up and buy a few foods that could bring on those uncomfortable symptoms and that is something nobody wants.

Before we go on to the list of gluten free foods however, it is important to keep in mind the top three unsafe foods that should never make it to your list. These are:

  1. Wheat
  2. Rye
  3. Barley

Of course, there are many other ingredients in foods which could trigger off gluten allergy symptoms, which is why it is important to have a list of safe foods as well as  regular foods to avoid.

What Can I Eat On This List Of Gluten Free Foods?

If you are new to gluten free eating, you are probably freaking out right now and worried you won’t be allowed to eat any of your favorite foods. I admit it can sound pretty scary at first. But really, there’s nothing to worry about. There is actually a considerably long list of gluten free foods that you can eat and today, you can find some pretty good alternatives to many foods that contain gluten.

Some of the best natural foods you can eat include:

  • Fresh fruits
  • Vegetables
  • Beans and legumes
  • Eggs
  • Unprocessed meats
  • Fish
  • Dairy products
  • Poultry

In addition, you can also safely eat several different condiments including some salad dressings and some peanut butters. There are many foods on the list of naturally safe foods you can eat.

There is also a list of safe foods which make great alternatives to wheat and flour including corn and oatmeal, flax, rice flour, tapioca and hominy.

What Now?

Food intolerant living is a lifestyle change. You might have some concern at first about finding suitable alternatives to some of your favorite foods. As you go along you will see that some of those alternatives are very similar in taste to the regular variety whereas others may taste quite different.  Then again, sometimes you may actually prefer the taste of the gluten free version.

While getting together a list of gluten free foods is easy, it is a little more difficult to put together a list of which foods taste best. After all, that is a matter of personal preference. Living without gluten will involve some amount of trial and error.

These alternative foods often have the reputation for being bland and crunchy. This crunchiness is brought on by the absence of gluten itself. Gluten is the ingredient in breads and cakes that makes them springy and pliable. Without it, breads and cakes tend to be hard and dry. Fortunately, today you can find alternative food items that are as soft and melt in the mouth as their gluten counterparts.

Not sure where to start? I suggest asking your physician for a list of gluten free foods. There are also many online support groups that can be of tremendous help as you go through this adjustment period.

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