Gluten-Free Snacks + Tips For Celiac Disease Sufferers In Bergen

For Celiac Disease Awareness Month, try these delicious gluten-free foods, and find North Jersey-based resources for those suffering with celiac disease.

There’s a lot to celebrate in May, between graduations, Mother’s Day, Memorial Day, National Pet Month and Skin Cancer Awareness Month. Here’s another occasion to observe: May is also Celiac Disease Awareness Month, which aims to reduce stigma and bring awareness to this autoimmune disease that affects more than 3 million people in the United States, according to the Gluten Intolerance Group. About half of people with celiac disease in the U.S. are undiagnosed.

And no, celiac disease doesn’t just mean that your stomach hurts if you eat gluten. In fact, it’s a genetic condition; the intestines of sufferers are hypersensitive to gluten, a protein that creates inflammation and limits the absorption of certain nutrients, resulting in an unhealthy amount of weight loss or even malnutrition. Symptoms of celiac disease include gastrointestinal issues such as diarrhea, bloating and anemia, as well as non-gastrointestinal related issues including joint pain, fatigue, migraines and infertility.

In North Jersey alone, there’s tons of resources for those suffering from celiac disease (or those who think they may have CD and aren’t yet diagnosed), including Generation GF of Northern New Jersey, an outpost of Gluten Intolerance Group; a Facebook support group called Gluten Free People of Bergen County (though keep in mind that following a gluten-free diet is NOT the same as having celiac disease); as well as treatment options at the Kogan Celiac Disease Center at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston.

As of now, there’s no medication to treat this disorder. The only way to alleviate symptoms of CD is to stop eating gluten entirely, which means eliminating wheat, barley and rye from your diet. Luckily, these days there are hundreds of gluten-free foods sold at grocery stores and specialty markets, as well as restaurants with plentiful gluten-free menu options (a few of note include Railyard Tavern in Fair Lawn, Seasons 52 at Garden State Plaza and Green Fusion in Ridgewood). A few of our favorite GF snack brands—all of which can be purchased locally!— include:

• Blends by Orly gluten-free flours. These kosher and gluten-free flours are specifically formulated to replace all-purpose flour in all kinds of recipes, from challah bread to pizza dough to cakes and cookies. Orly Gottesman and her husband, Josh Borenstein, who has celiac disease, live in Englewood and are the brainchild behind New York City’s Modern Bread & Bagel, which is opening its first Bergen County restaurant in Englewood later this year! In the meantime, you can make your own GF goodies at home with Blends by Orly, sold at specialty stores including Glatt Express in Teaneck, Healthway Natural Food in Tenafly and ACME in Bergenfield.
• HIPPEAS chickpea puffs. If you’re looking for a solid gluten-free cheese doodles replacement, Hippeas are it. They’re entirely plant-based, made of chickpeas instead of cheese, and baked into a light, airy puff. Flavors include Vegan White Cheddar, Vegan Nacho Vibes, Bohemian Barbeque and Sriracha Sunshine. Get yours online at hippeas.com or at CVS, Walgreens, ShopRite, 7-Eleven, Whole Foods—pretty much everywhere snacks are sold.
• Katz Gluten Free snacks. An entire line of gluten-free baked goods? Yes, please. New York-based Katz sells just about everything, from muffins to cupcakes to donuts to cookies. They also have a line of gluten-free breads, challah, buns and soft pretzels. Most of their items come frozen, which means you don’t have to worry about them expiring or firming up like most regular baked goods do after a few days. Stock up at katzglutenfree.com or buy locally at ShopRite, Whole Foods and Kings grocery stores, and specialty markets such as MOM’s Organic Market in Paramus, Cedar Market in Teaneck and Food Showcase in Fair Lawn.
• Johnson’s popcorn. In business since 1940, these delicious gluten-free popcorns hail straight from the boardwalk in Ocean City, New Jersey. Flavors include Caramel Corn, Salty-n-Sandy, Cheddar, Peanut Crunch, Chocolate Drizzle, Platinum, Butter and Tri-Flavor. Get yours in Ocean City, or buy a few bags online and get them delivered to your home at johnsonspopcorn.com.
• Tate’s Bake Shop cookies. Thin, crispy and baked to perfection, you won’t realize these cookies are sans gluten. The Southampton, NY-based business features tons of delicious flavors, including Chocolate Chip, Lemon and Ginger Zinger, as well as gluten-free brownies and blondies. Get your taste of Tate’s online at tatesbakeshop.com, or buy locally at select ShopRite, Walgreens and CVS stores, as well as at Green Way Markets in Ridgewood.
• Whoa Dough cookie dough bars. Dairy-free, gluten-free, non-GMO, soy-free, egg-free, vegan, kosher and plant-based (say that ten times fast!), these bars satisfy your cookie dough cravings on the go. They also have just 150 calories and 3g of protein. Yummy flavors include Chocolate Chip, Sugar, Sugar Sprinkle, Peanut Butter, Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip, Oatmeal and Brownie Batter. You can get Whoa Dough bars on Amazon, at whoadough.com and at Sierra Trading Post locations in Watchung, NJ and Nanuet, NY.

What’s your favorite gluten-free snack and gluten-friendly restaurant in Bergen? Share your picks at @bergenmagnj!