The 2011 Gluten-Free Awards!

With the Oscars just around the corner, I decided to conduct my own nominations for the best gluten-free (GF) products on the market. As someone with Celiac disease, I've found that it takes careful scouring (not to mention time and patience) to find suitable gluten-free options in supermarket aisles. Although there is still much room for improvement in the flavor, texture, and nutritional content of GF bakery products, there has been tremendous improvement in the overall quality, moving beyond the tasteless, sandy options that were unpalatable just a few years ago.

Through experience and rigorous testing, I've come up with what I think are the best gluten-free options on the market for mostly bakery products and beer. When evaluating GF products in general, I am unforgiving in the fact that they should be enjoyable and good, regardless; I will not give leeway just because something doesn't have gluten in it.*

During elimination rounds and testing, unfortunately, I found a huge gap in some cornerstone categories like cookies — I taste-tested nine different kinds and brands of cookies with no winners. On the other hand, other categories were abundantly filled with great quality products (in terms of texture, flavor, and nutritional content/whole grains) like crackers. The product categories that I researched and awarded winners in are those that are typically gluten-filled, and I was able to find equal if not superior alternatives to the original gluten-filled product.

From sandwich breads to cereals, and pancake mixes to snack bars, I've come up with the best gluten-free products in the following categories. Click here to see this year's Gluten-Free Awards and feel free to name your own favorites!

*Note: I hope that each year will continue to produce better quality products, with food manufacturers realizing that just because people have gluten intolerance, they are willing to sacrifice taste and enjoyment.