I have been ordering gluten free bread for years and years over the phone. When hubby was first diagnosed there was no bread being made that we knew of. Heck, there wasn't internet so didn't know what the world was doing.
For years I ordered gluten free rice bread from Energee Foods in Seattle, WA. This area of the country had a very active celiac support group and many places that sold gluten free bread. It is like they thought that it was their job to start up many gluten free bakeries and factories.
I have now found the Udi's bread and I found that the grocery store in town is now carrying it in the freezer section. I went in and talked to the manager and I now buy the bread by the case. There are 8 loaves of bread in a case. They are very small loaves and the slices are also quite small----but---it is very good bread. It is good not toasted in a sandwich and it is very good toasted. It is far superior to Energee's breads.
The cost is higher, but the grocery store is giving me a 5% discount and that helps. I have ordered 3 or 4 cases at a time. This gets spendy, but you have to consider that people with celiac need calories and they can't get all their calories from the meat or potatoes.
My son found another gluten free bread that is very good and you can get it in a heavier grain. This bread is called Rudi's and I don't know what the price is but it is pretty comparable to Udi's.
I will do a search online and then I get the phone numbers of companies and call them for information. After I have researched the caliber of the people they employ and their ability to do business in a kind and friendly, useful way, I will ask if they take phone orders. Most of them do take orders per phone. I like the contact with them and the ability to ask questions and get them answered right a way.
If you don't want to burden yourself with a big credit card bill you can find someone who will share the order with you. In otherwords, order several cases and split the cost and the shipping fee. I also have room in my freezer for the cases of bread so I like to order large amounts and have them on hand. Also, when you order large amounts you don't have to have a shipping fee to pay as often.
Also, today I went to the Walmart in our town and found out that they carry Tinkyada gluten free pastas. They are much cheaper than when ordered direct from factory or bought at another grocery store. I am sure glad to see this as hubby needs to be eating more pasta and now that I can buy it cheaper I will cook it more often. Irish ;D
I love my Udi's! All my grocery stores now carry it. Their hamburger & hotdog buns are good too :D
Carie
Hi :)
I think the US is way ahead of the UK when it comes to gluten free stuff. Most of our supermarkets have a gluten free section now but I know my DIL used to work in a gluten free bakery in St Louis. MO and she is now working for a gluten free restaurant there. The bakery was not only gluten free - it specialised in hypo-allergenic food generally and made cakes with coloured icing that didn't induce allergies.
Take care - Scottie
I love Udi's too. Especially their bagels.
We have one grocery chain that has signs on the shelves indicating which are gluten-free foods. It has really made my shopping easier, and has opened up my selection a lot too. :D
Udi's breads and Tinkyada pastas are the best. Trader Joe's has the best crackers I think. My rheumatologist has me eating as much of an anti-inflammatory diet as possible.
I've been eating Udi's for several years, but asked my health food store to order some Rudi's because I hear others rave about it. Other brands to check on are Pamela's and Kiinnickinnick. I'll try to remember the others and post them here. You can Google gluten free products and find tons of companies. Most are very good. Wal Mart carries quite a few gluten free foods. Mary's crackers is one product I like.
Also Hy-Vee grocery stores carry a lot of gluten free foods.
Another option for ordering gluten free products is Amazon.com. They actually sell groceries - and carry things in bulk, so that you can order large quanties of various products. My GF friend is very fond of Pad Thai, and there was a GF version that he always orders from there.
Odd as this sounds, my new chiropractor is against gluten-free products. She is a huge believer in the Paleo Diet that removes ALL grains (along with dairy). She thinks substituting other grains for gluten has no benefit. But as much as I love her, I'm not giving up my oatmeal!
My bloodwork was borderline for Celiac disease. My biopsy was negative though.
Could you get a bread machine and make your own?