Oh oats. Celiacs and oats – a tense and tumultuous relationship we’ve had. For the first few months of being diagnosed, I had no idea about the oat controversy. I was eating Quaker Oats straight outta the barrel. Then I read that the cross-contamination factor is wonkybonkers with oats. Celiacs are urged to eat gluten-free oats – and apparently it’s only recommended after you’ve let your insides heal, and only if you don’t have a reaction. Oops. If you are still afraid of oats – even the gluten-free facility/farmed kind – then stop right here. I, on the other hand, have always had a love affair with oatmeal, so I’ve switched to the GF kind and have been very happy since.
I hate cooking rolled oats and was searching for quick oats – something that can be made in a few minutes in a microwave for easy breakfasts. I wanted to find oats that were from a gluten-free facility too – no half-assing my oats anymore. I found Glutenfreeda Oatmeal in the variety pack in my local store and sampled every variety for this review. It’s a tough oat-ridden life I have.
My favorite variety was the Apple Cinnamon with Flax. I really liked this flavor, although I’m such a cinnamon fan, I would have loved to have more. It’s made with real dried apples – a real treat to have within the oatmeal. Like all of these varieties, I put in boiling hot water and let it sit for a bit. It’s pretty chunky and the oats can be kind of stiff, so I actually microwave it for :30 to a minute later to soften the oats up before eating. I didn’t have to add milk/soymilk or anything to make it taste better – just added the recommended amount of water.
I’m not a big fan of fake banana, but luckily this Banana Maple Flax tastes kinda close to having real bananas in your oatmeal. At least it doesn’t taste fake. I don’t know about you, but when I was younger I had a traumatic experience with banana laughing gas or mouth numbing gel at the dentist. Since then I can’t do banana flavoring – I was happy this was made with freeze-dried bananas instead. The maple sugar really complemented the banana. I would definitely eat this flavor again.
Lastly, Maple Raisin with Flax. I don’t know when I started hating raisins, but it may be due to a childhood full of those little red SunMaid boxes full of tiny rabbit-turd like chews. I loved the maple part of this oatmeal, but I couldn’t get past the raisins. I picked them all out and just ate it plain. If you like raisins, go for it – I really like the base of the oatmeal, similar to the Banana Maple.
A fantastic part of their page that describes gluten-free oats. Apparently there were some issues in Canada with labeling oats as gluten free (including allowing the gluten-free brand name Glutenfreeda – leaving nothing but the iconic logo). I knew that gluten-free oats are an intense process, but I think this makes me really appreciate companies like Glutenfreeda for giving Celiacs gluten-free oat products. Thank you!
Learn more about their oatmeal on their website. You can even purchase online – I find mine at Safeway or through GlutenFreely.com for approximately $6.99 a box. Apparently you can now find them at Whole Foods too!
Glutenfreeda seems like a great company, and I certainly recommend this oatmeal. I give it 4 out of 5 wheat stalks, but I’ll give the Apple Cinnamon variety a 5 out of 5. I’m not sure if I would get the mixed pack again – because of my deep fear/hatred of raisins. I think the Apple Cinnamon with Flax is the best flavor and would recommend that if you only purchased one flavor.
Glutenfreeda’s Apple Cinnamon with Flax is my favorite variety of their too. I have the same problems with raisins and bananas. How about a Maple Apple flavor, Glutenfreeda? I’d also love a variety with berries. But most of all I’ve been grateful to be able to eat oatmeal for the last few years after several years of no oatmeal at all!
We’re pretty lucky to be able to have gluten-free oats and oatmeal. I was tired of having gluten-free toast in the morning when I am hurried – I’ve got no time to make elaborate egg creations (even an omelette sounds very challenging at 8am). I’m glad I have something I can easily microwave that keeps me full through those tough morning hours. Thanks for the comment Clare – I hope to see you around this blog more often!
– Erica
Thank you for the great review of our products. We are thrilled that you enjoy them and that you have found a quality product to replace what was once lost! In response to Clare’s posting, we are currently launching two new flavors: Cranberry Cinnamon with Flax and Strawberry & Brown Sugar. Keep an eye out for them at your local store for they are coming soon. Thanks again for your support. – Glutenfreeda
Glutenfreeda – you’re awesome! I can’t wait to try to new flavors. We appreciate YOUR support. Now, if you can just work on those pesky raisins… – Erica
Amazing!
Tell me, is everything that says gluten and wheat free- not free of these products? I am new to having to eat this way it is not hard to do, it is almost like the phase of fat free, no carbs, low carbs, well maybe easier than those.
It’s actually a lot harder than that – although I wish it was that easy. Keep in mind that wheat and gluten are in so many things – from soy sauce, to natural flavoring, to lipstick! Make sure to always read the ingredients. FDA has certain requirements to label items gluten-free, but that can still be up to 20PPM of gluten in those products – hooray for testing and labeling standards
.
http://www.fda.gov/Food/LabelingNutrition/FoodLabelingGuidanceRegulatoryInformation/Topic-SpecificLabelingInformation/ucm265309.htm
As far as looking for big scary words on the label, Celiac.com has a list of no-no words that you should memorize and look for! Always check for “wheat” labeled in the allergen portion of the nutrition label too. It’s up to you to be your own food detective. If you ever question a label or think twice about something – just call the company, as they should be more than willing to give you product information from the source.
http://www.celiac.com/articles/182/1/Unsafe-Gluten-Free-Food-List-Unsafe-Ingredients/Page1.html
Oh are there any 20 letter words that mean wheat or gluten? LOL, I am serious.
I just found your oatmeal in Whole Foods this week… What a TREAT!! Yes..the ones
with the raisons is what I bought!! I was in Celiac Heaven when I tasted it!! I was very impressed as back in 1979 when I was originally diagnosed Corn Pasta with a Red
Sauce was the only game in town. You have come a long way to make this oatmeal
my new reality… Thank you and Keep up the Good Food…..L
I unfortunately react to this oatmeal because it is not organic. Pesticides make my body go crazy.