

Help for Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free Living
Eliminating or minimizing Gluten and Dairy from your diet isn't necessary for everyone but some certainly benefit from making these lifestyle changes. Regardless, we all benefit from eating more natural, whole foods and less processed foods. Learn more about gluten-free and dairy-free nutrition options and take advantage of the educational resources, shopping list, and recipes.
Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free Shopping List
Stock your pantry and refrigerator with these fresh and healthy gluten-free and dairy-free foods. This is a great grocery list to start from if you want to eat healthy, but you should always be sure they fit your specific health needs. You also want to be sure that they are eaten fresh, organic, and unprocessed if possible.
When in doubt use THE 150 YEAR RULE: If it wasn't around 150 years ago, you shouldn't eat it!
If your great-grandfather didn't eat it, you should probably consider not eating it.
Item | Item |
---|---|
Almonds | Honey |
Avocados | Hummus |
Bananas | Kalamata Olives |
Brown Rice | Lemon Juice |
Carrots | Onions |
Celery | Pears |
Chicken Breasts | Pistachios |
Coconut & Safflower Oil | Plain Greek Yogurt |
Ezekiel Bread | Raisins/ Craisins |
Flank Steak | Romaine Lettuce |
Fresh Salsa | Scallions |
Garbanzo Beans | Spinach |
Ginger Root | Sweet Potatoes |
Gluten Free Melba Rounds | Tomatoes |
Gluten Free Pretzels | Tortillas Gluten Free Variety |
Grapes | Vinegar |
Green Beans | White Northern Beans |
Green Peppers | Whole Chicken |
Ground Turkey |
Why Are These Foods So Special?
These foods were chosen because they have special properties like:
- Vitamins
- Minerals
- Phytonutrients
- Carotenoids
- Antioxidants
- Fiber
- Flavenoids
- Resveratrol
- Good Fats
- Probiotics
- Anti-inflammatory Properties
For those of you who ARE NOT sensitive to gluten and dairy, try this more traditional, but healthy whole foods shopping list.
And no, it's not more expensive to eat healthy.

Gluten Free & Dairy Free Recipes
Our Healthy Living Whole Foods Cookbook has lots of gluten-free and dairy-free recipes. Use the cookbook's online search tools to find exactly what you are looking for. You can check the "Gluten Free" and/or "Dairy Free" box to see only those types of recipes. Enjoy and share what you like with your family and friends!
Is Buying Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free More Expensive?
Buying gluten-free and dairy-free can be more expensive in some instances -- however, you may be paying it forward to avoid future health expenses. The price of gluten-free and dairy-free foods today, while slightly more expensive than their allergenic or sensitivity-inducing counterparts, has been on a decline over the past few years. This is due to the replacements of common foods containing gluten, like bread, pasta, and milk substitutes like almond milk. However, opting for gluten-free and dairy-free lifestyles can prevent and ameliorate many potential health conditions, making it more cost-effective for individuals with allergies and sensitivities over the long-term.
How to Shop for Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free Foods
Shopping for gluten-free and dairy-free foods may not be as difficult as you think. Not only are many of the foundational foods we eat gluten-free and dairy-free, but products market to other groups, such as vegans, also guarantee the absence of milk-based ingredients! Further, shopping gluten and dairy free fits well within the recommendations for many other proposed healthy eating habits, such as shopping the perimeter of the store or buying more whole foods with fewer ingredients. So grab your pen and paper or pull up the notes on your phone, and let's get started!
Raw and Unprocessed
First, try to buy raw and unprocessed foods to cook from scratch yourself. By doing this, you can control and eliminate a lot of the unnecessary additives in your food and become more aware of the ingredients you ingest. Raw and unprocessed foods often have fewer ingredients in them as opposed to their cooked and processed counterparts. The culmination of a diet based on processed foods, each with many of their own additives, not only contribute to you ingesting foods that are not necessary to your diet or health but also open more opportunities to expose yourself to gluten or dairy-contaminated foods.
Naturally Gluten-Free
There are plenty of foods that are naturally gluten-free that may have been sitting right under your nose. One great thing about many of the gluten-free substitutes in our diets: they can often be bought in bulk and have long shelf lives! Buying naturally gluten-free and foods like quinoa, millets, and teff in bulk when they are at a reduced price can help you stock up on these healthier ingredients and always be prepared (avoiding impulse or convenience buys). Many other foods are also gluten-free like fruits, vegetables, and meats! Speaking of which...
Foundational Foods
Fruit, vegetables, meat, eggs, nuts, and rice are all naturally gluten-free and dairy-free. Not only are these foods the foundation of our well-balanced diet, but they are also gluten and dairy sensitivity approved! Buy them while in season and save the remainders in the pantry or freezer to stay cost-effective. These foods are foundational for a reason, and investing more into these food groups can help you to avoid the oversaturated carb-loaded (and often gluten and dairy-filled) diet so common in the U.S., aiding your health and wellness journey as well as respecting the foods your body likes and dislikes.
What is Gluten?
Gluten is a type of protein commonly found in wheat, rye, barley, and triticale, which acts as a glue to help food maintain its shape. This glue-like property gives bases like dough elasticity and the ability to rise during baking. There are two main proteins in gluten: glutenin and gliadin, and gliadin is responsible for most of the negative health effects associated with gluten. However, gluten does not necessarily affect all people negatively. According to the Harvard School of Public Health, there is no data to support the prevalent association of gluten with heart disease, in fact, there is data suggesting that gluten avoidance in those who are not sensitive or allergic is correlated with increased heart disease risks.1
Common Foods that Contain Gluten
Gluten is present in many of the foods common to the typical American diet in today's world due to the oversaturation of carbs like breads and pastas in many of our community and convenience meals. Some of these foods include:
- Wheat
- Rye
- Barley
- Bread
- Pasta
- Cereal
- Pastries and Sweets
- Beer
Why Go Gluten Free?
Gluten has been a big target for the dietary and wellness media for a few years, but who actually is at risk and should be avoiding products containing gluten? Should everyone? There are two main groups that are negatively affected by gluten: those with Celiac Disease and those with Non-Celiac gluten sensitivity.
Celiac Disease
Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder and the most severe form of gluten intolerance, affecting approximately 1% of the population. As an autoimmune disorder, the body attacks itself, specifically ingested gluten, which damages the lining of the gut, causing nutrient deficiencies, anemia, and severe digestive issues.
Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity
Those who face issues of gluten sensitivity but do not test positive for Celiac disease are a part of a group known as non-Celiac gluten sensitivity. Research is limited in the number of individuals affected, but estimates consider up to 13% of the population could fall within this group. Symptoms of non-Celiac gluten sensitivity include diarrhea, stomach pain, tiredness, bloating, and depression. Non-Celiac gluten sensitivity is not yet fully explored, but it is hypothesized that some individuals who fall into this category may suffer gluten sensitivity symptoms due to other causes and/or conditions.
Gluten-Free Alternatives
- Meat
- Fish and Seafood
- Fruits and Vegetables
- Eggs
- Nuts
What is Dairy-Free?
Dairy-free can simply be defined as a diet free from milk-based ingredients, including casein, whey, lactose, and milk fat. Eggs are not included in dairy-free diets and are allowed. Dairy-free diets cater well to those who are negatively affected by consuming dairy, either by allergy or sensitivity. Symptoms can be triggered by small or large intakes of dairy, depending on the individual.
Common Foods that Contain Dairy
- Milk
- Butter
- Cheese
- Yoghurt
- Cream
- Ice Cream
Health Benefits of Dairy
Milk and dairy foods in moderation can be healthy to the larger population who does not suffer with related allergies or sensitivities. For these individuals, milk and dairy foods can be a source of calcium and vitamin D, as well as other proteins and essential nutrients.2 Further, the American Heart Association recommends 2-3 servings of fat-free or low-fat milk for adults and children, and 3-4 servings for teenagers and older adults per day.3 However, for those who cannot consume dairy-based products, the alternatives can still provide many of these benefits, and these benefits can also be provided through dietary supplements or more diversity in the diet.
Why Dairy-Free
There are several reasons why an individual may choose to go dairy-free, whether due to allergy and sensitivity or other factors, such as avoiding allergens and sensitivities, decreasing high insulin levels, and reducing inflammation.
Milk Allergies and Sensitivities
Milk allergies and sensitivities can cause mild to severe adverse symptoms after ingesting the dairy, including bloating, diarrhea, and excess flatulence. If you suffer from these symptoms, changing to a dairy-free diet may be a way to improve these effects, as well as improve digestion.4
Groups Most at Risk for Lactose Intolerance
Lactose intolerance is the most common sensitivity to dairy, specifically the lactose enzyme, which the body cannot digest. There are several common risk factors that can help you gauge how at risk you are, including:4
- Increasing Age (often adulthood)
- Ethnicity (people of African, Asian, Hispanic and American Indian descent)
- Premature birth
- Diseases affecting the small intestine (Celiac and Chron's)
Decrease Insulin Levels
If you suffer from raised insulin levels, dairy-free diets may offer a means to help lower them, as dairy products have been shown to raise insulin levels, with studies demonstrating a relationship between dairy consumption and insulin resistance.5
Decrease Inflammation
Inflammation has in some cases been attributed to dairy-consumption. Replacing diary foods with dairy-free substitutes may be a way to help decrease the inflammation, as dairy is high in saturated fats -- plentiful in cheese and dairy products -- which are known to cause inflammation.6
Dairy-Free Alternatives
To all of the above mentioned foods that contain dairy, all are available in non-dairy options, primarily consisting of almond, oat, coconut, and soy milk bases. Milk, butter, cheese, yogurt, cream, and ice cream, among other dairy foods, can be produced with non-dairy milks, making them largely acceptable to those plagued by dairy allergies and sensitivities.
The Bottom Line
Dairy and gluten are not necessarily the evil enemy proposed by today's media, however, the concerns surrounding them are not entirely fictional, and there are many whose health conditions do correlate with adverse effects from dairy and gluten. Understanding the risk factors, getting checked by your doctor, and developing a means of shopping to appease your body's nutritional desires is a critical step on your wellness journey. Learning about these ingredients and developing the appropriate habits and lifestyle choices can be affordable and simple with a little research and motivation, and we wish you luck on your journey.
1 https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/gluten/
2 https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/dairy-health-food-or-health-risk-2019012515849
3 https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-eating/eat-smart/nutrition-basics/dairy-products-milk-yogurt-and-cheese
4 https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/lactose-intolerance/symptoms-causes/syc-20374232
5 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4325471/
6 https://www.arthritis.org/health-wellness/healthy-living/nutrition/healthy-eating/dairy-and-inflammation

Jay Todtenbier is an original founder of SupplementRelief.com in 2010 and has operated the business ever since. He is also a tennis instructor and gospel musician. Formerly he spent 25 years in business development, technology and marketing with startups and major corporations having gone through the tech boom in Silicon Valley in the 90s. He became passionate about, and began studying and practicing Wellness as a Lifestyle after experiencing chronic, personal health challenges including depression, auto-immune disorders, and being overweight that impacted his ability to live a healthy, vibrant life. Since then, he has been an advocate for healthier living encouraging others to live better through making small, gradual changes to lifestyle behaviors relating to whole-foods nutrition, stress management, reasonable exercise, proper sleep, and the use of targeted, high-quality supplements.
Learn more about Jay Todtenbier.
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How to Grocery Shop and What to Eat
We are what we eat. Studies from reputable health organizations suggest that 40-60% of Americans are living with one or more chronic diseases, which negatively impacts their quality of life, reduces employment productivity, and drives up health care costs.1 Lifestyle choices, in particular, the foods we choose to put into our bodies, are making us sick. However, we do have choices regarding our nutrition.
Learn practical tips for healthy and affordable grocery shopping and consider using a list similar to the recommended natural, whole foods grocery shopping list provided to get you off to a good start!

Affordable Healthy Grocery Shopping in 30 Minutes
Ever wonder what a healthy grocery list would look like? One of the things many people tell us is that it seems too hard to change shopping habits. They feel eating healthy is harder or costlier. I can tell you shopping for whole, natural foods is less expensive, easier and much faster in the grocery store than dealing with a bunch of processed foods.

Common Sense for Living a Healthier Life
An estimated 95 percent of the world's population suffers from some type of medical condition according to recent reports from the healthcare sector. More than a third live with as many as five simultaneous health issues.1 At the same time, one in four people currently suffer from a mental illness, and this number is expected to increase during the years to come.

Everyone Falls Off the Wagon Sometimes
Why is it that no matter how hard I try, the things that are not good for me still end up in my diet? This is a common question I get every week, and the simple answer is, if it's in your environment, you will eat it. Even as we have purged and purged our pantry, we are still tempted by unhealthy foods.

Gluten-Free Vegan Pancakes
Who says you have to give up pancakes?
Serve with fresh fruit or real maple syrup.

Healthy Living Whole Foods Cookbook
The foods we choose to put into our body should be helping us live more vibrant and productive lives but for many are they are the leading contributor to chronic disease.
Many people know "what" to do to be healthy, but HOW do you do it? One of the best ways we have found is to show people how we eat as a family. This customizable, whole foods cookbook features healthy, affordable, great-tasting recipes that are easy-to-make.
We hope you enjoy these recipes and encourage you to share them with your family and friends!
We also encourage you to browse through the Related Content section on this page to find great articles about nutrition and healthy living.

Lifestyle Choices, Nutrition & Quality Supplements
Think back to the time of your great-grandparents. What types of food did people eat back then? For the most part they ate what they could grow on their land or what they got locally from a Farmer's market or some other community-based food supply. So what happened to our food? Why are so many of us sick, overweight and tired?

Pretty Skin Begins Here
Do you wonder, "What else can I do for my skin?" If you've tried over the counter solutions, chemical peels, microdermabrasion, avoiding the sun, and all sorts of other potions, you may need to re-think your skin regimen.

Quick Healthy Snacks
Today I'd like to remind you that it's easy to do something healthy for yourself. Especially in the snacking department!

So What's The Big Deal About Gluten?
Is Gluten Bad? Gluten just is. The problem is, it generally is not being used in the correct proportions any more. So let's take a moment to explore what gluten really is.

Trick or Treat? Definitely A Trick!
Ok, confession time. We've just moved to a new town, and we're trying to get the kiddos involved etc... This year, we decided to let them trick or treat. In past years we haven't done much in that way because we just couldn't handle the sugar in our house. NEWSFLASH- we still can't handle the sugar in our house!

Understanding Celiac Disease and the Relationship to Gluten Sensitivity
Celiac disease occurs for some people who have a problem processing gluten, which is a protein found in many foods. The gluten triggers an immune response that is not normal and damages the inside of the small intestine. Once that happens it is difficult to absorb the nutrients needed from the foods eaten.

What Is the Standard American Diet (SAD)?
How aware are you of what's going into your body? Are you eating to live or living to eat? In reality, we all have different nutritional needs, but the standard American diet (SAD) doesn't suit most of them (or most people, for that matter). Your diet might be making you sick, sluggish, and at-risk.

You Can Eat Healthy Without Spending More!
One of the big myths we like to dispel is to talk about the real cost of foods. Most people believe that eating healthy is a lot more expensive than eating processed. The truth is, they cost about the same. Try this experiment and see for yourself!
The information, knowledge, and experience shared on this website is the opinion of SupplementRelief.com. This site and its content is intended to enhance your knowledge base as YOU MAKE YOUR OWN HEALTHCARE DECISIONS in partnership with your qualified health professional. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Any products referred to are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

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