I'm a mom of 3 who avoids gluten. Here are 16 foods I always buy at Aldi. (2024)

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One of the greatest things that came out of my move to the Midwest was discovering Aldi.

As a gluten-free mom of three young kids, shopping for affordable food can be a challenge but Aldi is packed with wholesome, cost-efficient versionsof all my favorite foods.

I've found that the two best brands at Aldi for my grocery hauls are liveGfree and Simply Nature, but make sure to check the labels of the latter since not every product is gluten-free.

I also recommend taking a lap and checking out the different aisles — especially the freezer section — since Aldi often cycles random gluten-free buys throughout the year.

That said, here are my consistent must-grabs from the budget grocery chain.

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I snag liveGfree's bread since it's tasty and affordable.

My favorite thing about this liveGfree option is that the slices are similar to "real" bread. A lot of gluten-free brands have smaller loaves for more expensive prices, but now I can have an adult-sized sandwich at a fair cost.

The loaves freeze well, so I usually keep a package in my freezer.

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For an easy breakfast, I stock up on liveGfree's cinnamon-raisin bagels.

Preparing the kids for school while I'm getting ready for work can make for hectic mornings, but these bagels are a quick breakfast that I can pop in the toaster and eat as I drive through the parent drop-off line.

I typically keep the pack in the freezer, and the bagels thaw without any issues.

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I like the texture of liveGfree's pasta.

Some gluten-free pasta can easily become overcooked and mushy, but the liveGfree rice noodles have a better texture and are harder to overboil.

I substitute this alternative in all of my favorite pasta dishes.

Aldi also carries some great sauces. Simply Nature's tomato-and-basil pasta sauce is one of the few I've found that doesn't come with any added sugar.

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This mac-and-cheese alternative from liveGfree is a great substitute for the comfort meal.

The liveGfree rice pasta and cheese comes with a deluxe, melty sauce and always satisfies my craving for savory comfort food.

Even though my children aren't gluten-free, my household eats their way through a ton of this macaroni and cheese.

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These liveGfree wraps taste like flour tortillas to me.

Unlike corn tortillas, the liveGfree wraps can be easily folded without breaking. They are also similar in texture and taste like how I remember flour tortillas.

These gluten-free tortillas are great for sandwich wraps and quesadillas. Plus they freeze really well, so they're perfect for meal prepping breakfast burritos.

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The L'oven Fresh keto-friendly wraps are grain-free.

Made from cauliflower and almond flour, the L'oven Fresh keto-friendly wraps are a wholesome, low-carb alternative.

They work great for breakfast tacos or smaller sandwich wraps and also create a crunchy crust for homemade pizzas.

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The Simply Nature blue-corn tortilla chips are great with dip.

I love chips and salsa, and even though many tortilla chips are gluten-free, these blue-corn ones are also affordable and delicious.

My children love that they are purple, and we go through bags quite quickly.

The chips are sturdy and don't break easily, making them perfect for dipping.

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I may actually prefer the Simply Nature pretzels.

The Simply Nature pretzels are arguably better than regular ones. I alternate between buying Simply Nature's gluten-free and grain-free alternatives.

They are easy to pack as a snack for outings, plus they have the perfect amount of salt and crunch to fuel my long runs.

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The Millville crispy-rice cereal is great for breakfast or for making dessert.

The Millville toasted-rice cereal comes without any malt additives, making it completely gluten-free.

My kids can devour the box in no time, despite it not having any added sugars. Though secretly, I buy it so we can make crispy-rice treats.

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The Black Forest Juicy Burst fruit snacks pack a punch of flavor.

The Black Forest fruit snacks come in unique flavors, like green apple. Plus my kids always think they're getting an extra-special treat because of the juice inside.

I usually have at least one pack of these in my purse and another handful in my diaper bag.

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I make sure to have the Mama Cozzi's cauliflower Margherita pizza on hand.

Although I miss the fluffy rise of traditional pizza, Mama Cozzi's frozen cauliflower alternative is a staple in my house.

The crust is thin and crunchy, and I don't have to worry about cross-contamination from a pizza shop.

I enjoy a traditional cheese pizza, but sometimes I will add my own toppings to make it a little more filling.

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The Earthly Grains basil-pesto quinoa bowl is an easy, quick meal.

I keep a stash of the Earthly Grains ready-to-eat meals in my pantry for the days I need a quick lunch on the go.

My local Aldi has two flavors — quinoa with basil pesto and cauliflower Indian vegetable curry — but the former is my favorite since it tastes like a pasta dish.

These bowls don't make a mess and are easy to throw in the microwave at work. Plus the quinoa keeps me feeling full all day.

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The Fit and Active caramel-corn rice cakes are one of my go-to snacks.

Somehow I've managed to convince my kids that the Fit and Active rice cakes are special treats.

I've found that Fit and Active products are relatively cheaper, and this snack is available at my Aldi in a few flavors.

After a tough run, I'll typically slather nut butter — and sometimes chocolate chips — on one to satisfy my sweet tooth and replenish my carbs and protein.

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Perfect Bars are good to keep on hand for busy days.

These bars are, in fact, perfect.

Perfect Bars are a tasty way to get in protein and calories. They usually fuel my long runs or get packed in my diaper bag if I know our family adventure may last for a while.

They come in several flavors and are made with a base of peanut or almond butter.

Although they're kept in the refrigerated section, they can last several hours outside of the fridge.

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I use the Gay Lea coconut whipped topping on my coffee.

My body doesn't love dairy, so I try to consume alternatives as much as possible.

Gay Lea canned, coconut whipped topping doesn't come with any extra additives and has a similar texture to its dairy counterpart.

On the weekends, my morning coffee is not complete without a heaping, Leslie Knope-level addition of canned cream.

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These egglife egg-white wraps are perfect for low-carb breakfasts.

With 5 grams of protein, the wholesome egglife wraps are low-carb and can easily be warmed up for a quick breakfast when I'm too tired to even scramble eggs.

The brand's website has a whole page dedicated to recipes, and there are a surprising amount of delicious dessert options, too.

Click to keep reading Aldi diaries like this one.