Back to School Week continues at Celiac Family. Today my daughter starts preschool! She attended the same preschool last year, and will have the same teacher my son had two years ago. So, we feel comfortable that we can maintain her gluten-free diet without much ado. However, I did put together a list of gluten-free snack ideas to share with the teacher (and parents, if they request it). The items I included on the list are snacks you should be able to get at just about any grocery store. Perhaps I’ve got one or two new ideas for you? Please leave a comment if you have some other gluten-free snack ideas that aren’t on the list. I can always use some new ideas.

Gluten-Free Snacks:

Fresh fruit – most fruit cups are gluten-free, too
Fresh vegetables
Cheese – sticks, shapes, string, etc.
Raisins – Sun-Maid
Applesauce – most brands without added flavorings are gluten-free
Chewy Fruit Snacks – most brands are gluten-free. Betty Crocker has even started printing “Gluten-Free” on the front of the box!
Juice – most brands (especially “100% juice”) are gluten-free
Yogurt – most brands without any added toppings; Stoneyfield’s, Yoplait Go-gurt, Trix, Dora
Rice Cakes
Corn Thins
Cereal – Make a trail mix with cereal, raisins, M&Ms, nuts, etc. Some Chex cereals are now gluten-free but to make sure, it should say “Gluten-Free” on the box: Rice Chex, Honey Nut Chex, Chocolate Chex, Cinnamon Chex; Erewhon Brown Rice Crisps; Koala Crisp; Panda Puffs; (Kellogg’s original Rice Krispies is not gluten-free. Update Aug. 2011: Be sure to purchase the new Gluten-Free Rice Krispies. It is clearly labeled as such on the front of the box.)
Popcorn – most brands are gluten-free; Smat Pop Orville Redenbacher’s, Jiffy Pop, Act II (except extreme butter)
Kettle corn – LesserEvil Classic, Orville Redenbacher’s
Gelatin cups – Jell-o, Wegman’s brand
Pudding cups – Jell-o, Swiss Miss, Hunt’s, Wegman’s
Potato chips – most brands without added flavorings are gluten-free; Lays original, Lays Staxx, Wegman’s, Utz, Ruffles, French’s potato sticks; (Pringles are not gluten-free.)
Tortilla Chips – most brands without added flavorings are gluten-free; Tostitos, Mission, Wegman’s
Corn Chips – Fritos, Wegman’s
Other snacks – Cheetos, Original Tings, Pirate’s Booty, Cheddar Airs

I know that the list leaves room for error, but I was trying to make the point there is plenty of gluten-free food out there that doesn’t have to come from a specialty food mart. Please keep in mind, that I plan to check the ingredients of the daily snack everyday when I take my daughter to school. You, too, should check the food labels because manufacturers can change the ingredients at any time.

For specialty gluten-free snacks, check out some of our favorites at Celiac Family’s Amazon Store.