Gluten Free Bread: Udi's Takes the Cake.

Although I do prefer to bake or make what I can in order to save myself a little money, it’s not always an option. For instance, although I have tested many a bread recipe, none can compare to a particular store bought brand: Udi’s Gluten Free Food. I have tried and tried to find a recipe that yields soft, fluffy bread that can be eaten without toasting, and although I have come close it just isn’t close enough. I will post my favourite bread recipe a little later on but for now let’s talk Udi’s.

The first time a grabbed a loaf of Udi’s White Sandwich Bread I nearly cried. It was soft and fluffy and felt like regular gluten-filled bread. I scoffed at the price initially but it really is worth it if you can’t live without bread. I am one of those people. I try to ration what I have by eating open faced sandwiches. Udi’s bagels are also delicious. I prefer them over the bread however a bag of 4 bagels for $8.00 just doesn’t go as far as a loaf of bread for just a little less. Although I prefer to eat whole grain versus white bread, when it comes to Udi’s I prefer the opposite. The whole grain versions of bread and bagels tend to dry out much quicker, thus requiring toasting. Furthermore, the whole grain loaf tends to be much smaller.

Udi’s Pizza Crusts are a must. That is all.

Udi’s has a fairly decent selection of muffins but I’ve only tried the Double Chocolate Chip ones. I have nothing negative to say about those muffins. They are to die for. In my experience, finding a soft, moist muffin that is gluten free is not an easy task. I could really go for one right now....

I started my gluten free bread shopping by purchasing a loaf of Glutino Flax Bread. It was OK. Needed to be frozen, needed to be toasted, and were very small loaves. Udi’s trumps Glutino in the bagel and pizza crust department as well. I believe there is still one Glutino bagel and one tiny Glutino pizza crust sitting in my freezer. They will in all likelihood not be eaten.

Udi's has also recently come out with gluten free hot dog and hamburger buns. If you ask Fish (my awesome boyfriend) what my face looked like the day I finally found hot dog buns, he would tell you I looked hilarious. I had never been so excited at the prospect of eating a hot dog. I've had many gf hot dog bun mishaps but these buns received high marks. As did the hamburger buns – they are great for making sandwiches.

I swear I am not affiliated with Udi’s in any way shape or form. I am just a grateful customer. My only request is that they lower their prices!

Numero Uno.

For almost as long as I can remember I have had all sorts of uncomfortable and often debilitating symptoms that seemingly had no reason for being there. That is until I discovered my body could not tolerate gluten or small amounts of dairy.

Throughout high school I was plagued with headaches, joint pain, fatigue, and gastrointestinal problems. I always managed my symptoms as best I could and never sought any sort of medical help until my first year of university when they suddenly became entirely unmanageable.

Over time my symptoms became much worse. I saw doctor after doctor, each one telling me to eat more fibre. Of course that didn't help, it just made things worse. Finally, I found a doctor who decided to actually do some work. I tested negative for a gluten allergy but the doctor suggested I try cutting it out anyway. Within just a few weeks my monstrous migraines had completely disappeared, I was full of energy, had no joint pain, and my gastrointestinal issues were slowly improving. Of course this didn't happen overnight but even just after one week I could feel the difference.

It took 3 years of visiting doctors for one of them to finally suggest eliminating gluten from my diet. It has been just over a year now and I've never felt better. My suggestion to everyone out there thinking of cutting gluten from their diet: give it a try, you might be surprised. And to all of you out there feeling lost and confused: use the internet! It is a great learning tool. And, for the rest of you who enjoy baking your own gluten free goodies: stay tuned!