Graul’s Market Does Gluten-Free

In Baltimore County, the local market, Graul’s, is well-known and well-loved, but until recently, not known for its selection of specialty gluten-free foods. It appears that may be changing however. Just last week, I went into Graul’s (Ruxton location) for a gallon of milk I’d forgotten during my regular grocery shopping run and noticed a gluten-free display set up near the produce aisle. They were featuring Bob’s Red Mill products (including the favorite gluten-free Mighty Tasty hot cereal), Betty Crocker’s gluten-free cookie, brownie and cake mixes (for $2.99, the cheapest price I’ve found -- possibly a special introductory price), and snickerdoodle cookies and blueberry muffins from local Baltimore bakery, Sweet Sin.

I picked up a package of Sweet Sin muffins and a bag of gluten-free candy from a natural foods company out of Germany I hadn’t heard of before called Seitenbacher. I opened the candy right away to quiet my squirmy toddler and snuck a piece of the fruity strawberry candy myself. It was delicious and we’ve since been back for more Seitenbacher candies. Graul’s also had gluten-free egg noodles (hard to find!), instant soups called ‘hot snacks’ in tomato, vegetable and potato varieties, instant sauce mixes, muesli, cornflakes and energy bars all made by Seitenbacher.


I spoke with the manager about their new gluten-free goodies. He told me they were recently added in response to requests from customers for more gluten-free items. When I asked about the availability at other locations, he said the Mays Chapel store has had a gluten-free specialty section for over a year. Thanks Graul’s!

Locations throughout Maryland:
Annapolis | Cape St. Claire | Hereford | Mays Chapel | Ruxton | St. Michaels


-Christine

Trader Joe’s Gluten Free Week

Starting next Monday, September 14, Trader Joes will be offering gluten-free samples and cooking ideas at their Towson store. “We thought it would be different and fun,” says the clerk who told me about their plans for “gluten-free week” after seeing gluten-free rice bread, English muffins and pasta in my cart. 

Note: Only the Towson location will be doing gluten-free demos. 

Trader Joe’s No Gluten products.

Trader Joe's Towson (649) 

1 E. Joppa Rd. 

Towson, MD 21286 

Phone Number: 410-296-9851 

Trading Hours: 9:00 am - 9:00 pm 

Let's Dish!: The Results

 

An hour and a half, $100, and 24 servings of 4 meals later, I had "dished".  I'm a little obsessive compulsive about cross-contamination, so I was extra observant about possibilities for some sort of gluten to attack my meals.  But, to my surprise, everything was so clean and separate.  The staff members were very aware of making sure I knew exactly what I needed to do to ensure my meals would be gluten-free.  I have to give a shout-out to Whitney and Jenny at the location in Timonium, who both were extra helpful and understanding.The experience was fun, and made me feel included in the food prep world -- which I haven't really been involved in.  Gluten-Free cooking can be lonely, but Let's Dish has welcomed us in with open arms, clean countertops, knowledgeable staff, and gluten-free awareness that hit an entirely new level.  I cannot get over just how wonderful the experience was.

To have everything prepared -- ingredients cut up, spices with the appropriate measuring utensil, and packaging easily accessible -- is one of the many reasons I'm going back next month.  I think I'll actually end up using my money more wisely if I dedicate $100 a month to meals that can be stored in the freezer for up to 8 weeks.  There's going to be less food thrown away and more food eaten!  Especially for a gluten-free, single lady, who's busy busy busy...Let's Dish is my new best friend.

Of course, I can't just rave about all of this without actually talking about the real results.  If the food was gross, I would not suggest or recommend Let's Dish.  While it's nothing extraordinarily gourmet, the food is darn good.  I have now eaten the Honey Dijon Chicken with Roasted Carrots, Louisiana Jambalaya, Pesto Salmon, Sweet Potato Fries, and Ranch Potato Chips.  I still am looking forward to the Herbed Steaks.  

The Honey Dijon Chicken, in my opinion, was a little plain; however, if I decide to make it again, I'll just make it with a little extra sauce, which would take it up that extra notch.  The Louisiana Jambalaya was a hit, and so easy to cook.  Instead of using their chicken base (which is not gluten-free), it was suggested that when I prepared the dish, I replace the water with chicken broth.  Absolutely no problem -- a box of Kitchen Basics Chicken broth -- done.

My ultimate favorite, at the moment, is the Pesto Salmon.  Seriously, this dish is extraordinary.  I cut a slit in the top of the aluminum foil packet (still frozen), set the packet on a cookie sheet, put it in the oven, and 50 minutes later I was eating some of the tastiest salmon I have eaten in quite some time.

I'm signed up to go dish in April, and I'm looking forward to it.

Costly Crackers

Anne R. Lee, a nutritionist who specializes in celiac disease, published a research paper in the Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics in 2007 on the topic of the price of gluten-free foods.  To sum up her research in just a few words:  the gluten-free diet is pricey.  On average, specialty gluten-free foods (bread, pasta, cereal, waffles, cookies, crackers, pretzels, pizza, cake) cost two to three times that of their conventional counterparts.  While Lee found that across the board every gluten-free product costs more than wheat-based ones, the most expensive gluten-free product costs more than wheat-based ones, the most expensive gluten-free items she surveyed were "snack" foods: crackers, cake, pretzels and the like.

Interestingly, Lee examined the cost of gluten-free foods in five different geographical regions (New York City and its metro area; Portland, Oregon; Atlanta, Georgia; Rapid City, South Dakota; and Chicago, Illinois) and in four different types of stores (regular grocers; upscale grocers; health food stores; and internet stores).  Lee found that in general, geographic location didn't affect the cost of gluten-free foods as much as type of stores.  Online shopping was the most expensive, though it offered the best selection, while regular grocery stores were, not surprisingly, the cheapest (and the most limited in selection).

Notably, gluten-free cereal was one food item Lee surveyed that was relatively close in cost to conventional cereal.  But instead of being a bright spot for gluten-free shoppers, it probably points more to the fact that cereal in general is an expensive purchase.

It remains to be seen if the projected growth in the gluten-free marketplace meaningfully affects prices.  According to Lee's research, the cost of gluten-free foods would have to come way down to match their wheat-based counterparts.  And Lee cautions that for some, the prohibitive cost of gluten-free foods could be a barrier to dietary compliance.

Lee, AR et al. (2007) Economic burden of a gluten-free diet. J Hum Nutr Diet 20 pp 423-430.

Decisions Decisions

Ok, Amazon.com, you've lured me in once again with your amazing prices...  While I'm addicted to the savings you offer on books, I just discovered that I can get the same savings on gluten-free products.  Where Costco, Sam's Club, and BJ's offer mass quantities of gluten-filled foods, Amazon offers the same for gluten-free foods.

As I do the math, I could end up saving $2-$3 per product, just because I bought 12 at a time.  Now, here's the problem:  Where will I put 6 boxes of Glutino's Honey Nut Cereal?  I'm only one person...in a small house...with very few closets.  Let the debate begin:  Do I transfer my home into gluten-free grocery storage or do I suck it up and pay the extra few bucks per product?  Tough decision, right?

It's going to take some time to think about the pros and cons of this one.  Anyone have advice?