She Strengthens

Embracing a Gluten-Free Lifestyle on a Budget

When my roommate was diagnosed with Celiac disease two years ago, I never thought I’d be joining her in the gluten-free club. But life had other plans, and six months later, I received the same diagnosis. Suddenly, I had to bid farewell to my daily Pop-Tart breakfast and Pizza Lunchables.

The Budget Challenge

As someone who maintains a modest budget of $200 to $250 per month on groceries, I knew I had to make some adjustments. With a potential life change on the horizon, I decided to increase my monthly savings goal. But first, I needed to tackle the expensive gluten-free alternatives that were draining my wallet.

Cooking on a Shoestring

I set a challenge for myself: to survive on a $100 grocery budget for the month, with the added twist of traveling for 10 days and not dipping into my grocery funds during that time. For the first week, I allocated $50 and got to work.

Breakfast Revamp

First, I axed my gluten-free Glutino breakfast bars, which were costing me $5.00 for a box of five. Instead, I opted for scrambled eggs, purchasing a carton of 18 eggs for just $1.49. This not only saved me money but also covered my breakfast needs for nine days.

Dinner on a Dime

To break my reliance on expensive frozen gluten-free meals, I started cooking dinner recipes that would yield leftovers for lunch the next day. I made a delicious Turkey Chili for under $6.00, which worked out to about $2.00 per serving. I also whipped up a gluten-free Caprese pizza for under $13, using ingredients that would last for multiple meals.

Snacking Smart

For snacks, I turned to bananas ($0.77 for three), yogurt and granola, almonds ($5.49), and dried cranberries ($2.39) paired with Cheddar cheese. These snacks would last me for two weeks, making them a smart investment.

The Final Tally

At the end of the week, I was thrilled to have come in under budget at $41.05. This was a significant victory, especially considering my previous grocery runs had been totaling in the hundreds.

Recipes for Success

Here are the recipes that helped me stay within my budget, complete with total and per-serving cost breakdowns:

Gluten-Free Caprese Pizza

• Place pizza crust on an ungreased cookie sheet and bake for 7-8 minutes at 375°F.
• Top with cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, and meatballs, and bake for another 5-6 minutes.
• Remove from oven, add sliced avocado and balsamic glaze, and enjoy!

Turkey Chili

• Brown ground turkey in a skillet, then combine with remaining ingredients in a slow cooker.
• Cook on low for 8-10 hours, and serve hot.

By embracing a gluten-free lifestyle on a budget, I’ve learned that with a little creativity and planning, it’s possible to eat well without breaking the bank.