The Ultimate Eco-Friendly, Gluten-Free Grocery List

The Ultimate Eco-Friendly, Gluten-Free Grocery List. Photo by Townsend Walton on Unsplash
Reading Time: 4 minutes

The Ultimate Eco-Friendly, Gluten-Free Grocery List. Photo by Townsend Walton on Unsplash

Reading Time: 4 minutes

The Ultimate Eco-Friendly, Gluten-Free Grocery List

It’s one reason to follow a gluten-free grocery list for health. However, you can tweak the eco-friendliness of your pantry and refrigerator by including more sustainable options. Sustainable gluten-free foods consider seasonal offerings and limit food waste while adhering to your specific dietary needs and sensitivities. 

Here’s what you should buy to enhance your gluten-free, environmentally friendly lifestyle and tips for shopping at the supermarket. 

A Comprehensive Gluten-Free Grocery List for the Environment

Are you ready to satisfy your cravings with green, digestible foods? Jot down the following eco-conscious items on your gluten-free grocery list.

Fresh Produce

According to one study, the ecological footprint of a vegan diet is 25.1% of high-meat eaters and uses 46.4% less water. Fortunately, you can fill your sustainable gluten-free grocery list with all the desired fruits and vegetables. 

To ensure their eco-friendliness, purchase locally-grown, seasonal produce. Visiting the farmers market is an excellent way to source products from nearby growers. For instance, the freshest summer produce you can find are the following:

  • Summer squash
  • Cantaloupe
  • Carrots
  • Cucumbers 
  • Avocados
  • Tomatoes
  • Watermelon 
  • Berries

Wait until fall and winter to buy out-of-season items like rutabagas, spinach, potatoes, Brussels sprouts and celery.

Lean and Plant-Based Protein

Livestock is not exactly the most environmentally friendly part of agriculture — particularly beef — nor are all meat products gluten-free, like some deli meats. At the same time, gluten-free dieters may not want to transition to a fully plant-based eating style. Instead, opt for lean protein sources and fatty fish, such as:

  • Chicken breasts and thighs
  • Turkey
  • Ground chicken and turkey
  • Salmon
  • Mackerel
  • Sardines
  • Pasture-raised eggs
  • Beans, lentils and nuts for a meat-free option

Even the pork production industry has made strides in creating more sustainable practices. This means you can make savory turkey-stuffed pork loins for dinners or holidays and not feel bad about your food footprint. 

Gluten-Free Grains, Bread and Pasta

A gluten-free diet eliminates white-flour grains, which may lead to stomach sensitivities and difficulty digesting. Yet, this allows you to add tasty alternatives to your sustainable gluten-free grocery list. 

Almond, chickpea, brown rice, and cassava flour are ingredients you should look for at the supermarket. You can also buy many kinds of pasta and bread made from these alternatives. Additionally, coconut flour is especially beneficial for balancing your blood sugar and protecting your heart and brain health.

If you’re stocking up on gluten-free, eco-friendly grains, consider quinoa, millet, sorghum and brown rice, which make great side dishes or may be used in salads, pilafs and bowls. 

Non-Dairy Drinks

Celiac disease may cause inflammation, which can affect the skin and induce acne. Similarly, 65% of the population is lactose intolerant. Milk casein and whey release a hormone called IGF-1, which is similar to insulin. Medical specialists have long associated IGF-1 with acne breakouts. 

Dairy-free milk options are widely popular in plant-based eating and are often an excellent alternative for those who struggle to digest regular milk — they’re also naturally gluten-free. Therefore, almond, oat, coconut and hemp milk are among the most sustainable gluten-free foods you can buy. 

Snacks and Pantry Staples

It’s nice to have gluten-free snacks when you’re ready to nosh. Ensuring you have the most essential pantry staples is also important if you cook. While no product has the perfect food footprint, there are several more sustainable, non-perishable items you can add to your gluten-free grocery list, such as the following: 

  • Olive oil, canola oil, extra virgin coconut oil
  • Apple cider vinegar, red wine vinegar and balsamic vinegar
  • Tahini
  • Spices and herbs
  • Gluten-free granola
  • Grits, polenta and oats
  • Gluten-free pretzels
  • Artisanal chips made from fruits and vegetables
  • Pickles
  • Nuts and seeds — Brazil nuts, cashews, pecans, walnuts, almonds and hazelnuts
  • Nut butters

Honey and maple syrup are also more sustainable — and healthier — than white sugar. The maple syrup industry is researching ways to make production ecologically efficient, from implementing energy-saving technologies to improving forest management approaches. Currently, 80% of maple syrup comes from Vermont, New York and Maine, meaning it doesn’t have to travel far during distribution. 

Tips for following a Sustainable Gluten-Free Grocery List

Creating a gluten-free grocery list may be daunting if you’re starting out. Keeping sustainable foods in mind may be even more challenging. Here are some helpful tips to shop for eco-friendly, gluten-free food at the supermarket. 

  • Always check nutrition labels to ensure products do not contain gluten. Also, read up on alternative names of gluten-based ingredients.
  • Check for logos indicating food items are gluten-free — these products have undergone third-party testing and are certified by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
  • Remember, wheat-free products may still contain rye, barley or spelt. 
  • Research eco-friendly foods and compare them to a list of gluten-free items you can have.

Of course, there are additional things you can do to make your grocery shopping experience more sustainable overall. For instance, you should bring reusable bags from home to avoid single-use plastics. Likewise, purchase goods in recyclable packaging, such as paper bags and cardboard boxes. Many dairy products, condiments and beverages also come in glass containers for easy recycling or reuse.

Save the Planet One Gluten-Free Food at a Time

Gluten-free diets can present challenges while grocery shopping. However, it’s possible to find delicious items you can digest with a lower impact on the planet. Keep an open mind when purchasing sustainable gluten-free foods. There are far more choices available to you than you think. 

Newsletter Signup

Sign up for exclusive content, original stories, activism awareness, events and more.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Support Us.

Happy Eco News will always remain free for anyone who needs it. Help us spread the good news about the environment!