Gluten-Free Foods That Are Next Level Good
Gluten-Free. We all know it. What used to be considered a fad is now mainstream hip and isn’t just for those considered “crunchy”. In fact, there are over 3 million residents in the United States that have gone gluten-free (according to a 2017 study)** – many of which do not have a medical diagnosis. And this number is undoubtedly much higher now that 2020 is almost here!
But just because your doctor doesn’t say you need to remove wheat-containing products from your diet doesn’t mean you won’t feel better if you do! In fact, going gluten-free can do everything from improving your digestion and sleep to your irritability and skin!
And while yes, the gluten-free market is jam-packed with products, finding ones like those from The Gluten Free Bar (aka, GFB), take eating gluten-free to a whole new and tasty level!
For MOMS, MOMS-TO-BE and TODDLERS 2 YEAR+*
THE PRODUCT:
What started out as a bar company – hence the name, The Gluten Free Bar – has become a gluten-free go-to for those with or without a gluten-intolerance. Stemming from their original 6 flavors of bars, The GFB now makes 7 different Bars, 8 Bites (similar to the Bars, just in a smaller, bite-sized form), and 4 different varieties of Oatmeal.
With a mission of making great-tasting products with tastes and textures that rival their gluten-filled counterparts, all of GFB’s products are made in small batches to ensure quality and consistency. Furthermore, everything you find at The GFB is Certified Gluten-free, Vegan, and Kosher, and is free of soy, dairy, casein, GMOs, trans-fats, and cholesterol – so you can be sure you are doing something good for your taste-buds and your belly!
NUTRITION-WISE:
The GFB isn’t just about what’s not in their products, but they also pay special attention to what goes in them! Filled with all-natural vegan ingredients, The GFB foods also contain a nice dose of protein, fiber, and Omega-3 fats. Furthermore, they don’t contain any artificial colors or ingredients, and you’ll only find natural and/or Organic sugars in their products – none of that processed stuff that wreaks havoc on your gut!
With that said, there still is quite a bit of sugar grams in The GFB products, so please be advised that these aren’t a low-sugar food. However, thanks to the types of sweeteners used, they will not spike your blood sugar levels like white sugars will.
Moreover, for those concerned with Brown Rice Syrup, GFB only uses Organic InfantSafe Brown Rice Syrup. InfantSafe® organic brown rice syrup goes through a process to remove heavy metals, including arsenic, lead and mercury, to undetectable levels. It is verified to contain less than 10 ppb of for arsenic and lead, which is below the FDA standard for drinking water.
Furthermore, premium, organic InfantSafe® brown rice syrup, contains essential nutrients, including potassium, Iron and Calcium. Brown rice syrup also contains both complex carbohydrates and simple carbohydrates. This means that it is metabolized and absorbed slowly, over the course of 2-3 hours. The result is a steady and reliable energy supply instead of a spike and crash.
*For the [sugar] reason stated above, I would not feel comfortable giving a full one of these bars to my toddler – it’s just way too much sugar for such a little body. However, The GFB is filled with tons of other good-for-you ingredients, and they do contain quite a bit of protein, fiber, and healthy fats, all of which are good for us, so a couple of bites of this bar as a snack is definitely something I do. This is also why I love their Bites: because they are great ingredients in a smaller package – all of which is great for kids!
THE COMPANY:
The founders of The Gluten Free Bar both have celiac and thus, know how detrimental eating foods with gluten can be. They also realized, through their “gluten-free quests” that typical gluten-free snacks are either healthy and natural, or tasty but made from questionable ingredients – but never both. That’s why they made it their mission to create a delicious snack made with straightforward, recognizable ingredients. And The GFB was born.
Now, as a certified B-Corp, The Gluten Free Bar (GFB), aims to produce good-for-you foods in good-for-you ways. All bars, bites, and oatmeal that The GFB produces are crafted in their own facility utilizing a local workforce with a focus on creating a sustainable business that benefits their team members and community.
With a commitment to sustainability, The GFB has been focused on becoming a certified zero-waste food production facility. To accomplish this, they must divert 9 out of every 10 lbs of waste away from landfills through recycling, reuse, upcycling or composting. Through these efforts, The GFB managed to divert ~100 tons (200,000 lbs) away from landfills in 2018.
WHERE TO BUY:
The GFB is available on their Online Store, or if you prefer to buy them in person, check out their Store Locator for the location nearest you.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
As I first mentioned in my original The GFB review, I originally tried The Gluten Free Bar back in 2014, and had no idea it was gluten-free! With a texture that’s half chewy and half crunchy, I also loved the different flavors available – and that was before they came out with their Bites and Oatmeals! I was also impressed that there weren’t any additives or fillers, which are also commonly found in wheat-less foods.
Now here we are 5+ years later and I still love The GFB products just as much! The only difference is that now, I have a household of people that can enjoy them too!
Filled with protein, fiber, and healthy fats, I am happy that The GFB now makes Bites – since their bars do contain more sugar than I generally like to eat. Thankfully though, the sugars used won’t spike blood sugar levels like other sweeteners do (as mentioned in Nutrition-Wise, above), although I still prefer to eat the Bars in moderation.
With that said, I’d definitely recommend The GFB products to anyone with gluten sensitivity! Even for those who don’t, I’d be really surprised if you didn’t find them as tasty as I do!
Try any or all of The GFB products today and see how delicious a gluten-free snack can be! Because it’s those small steps that make healthy living part of your lifestyle, so why not take one today?!
To learn more about The GFB, please visit their website and check them out on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter too!
And remember, CONTACT Healthy Fit Fab Moms today to create a personalized plan so you and your family can live a healthy, fit, and fabulous life!
**For more gluten-free statistics, visit this site: https://expandedramblings.com/index.php/gluten-free-facts-statistics/
