Why are gluten-free products more expensive than conventional products? | Best in Gluten Free | Schär (2024)

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Why are gluten-free products more expensive than conventional products? | Best in Gluten Free | Schär? ›

Why are gluten-free products more expensive than conventional products? The price of a product depends on its supply and demand. Compared to “normal” grain products containing gluten produced for the wider population, the market for gluten-free dietary products is small.

Additional items such as thickeners, tapioca and maize starches are added to gluten-free recipes to improve viscosity and keep baked items in shape. That means a longer ingredient list and a slightly more complex manufacturing process. So, from an ingredient perspective, gluten-free bread costs more than regular bread.

I knew gluten-free foods were more expensive, but the results shocked me. On average I pay 58% more for gluten-free versions of basic foods, with the difference going well over 300% for some foods, like soy sauce. It made me think again about what we, as celiac shoppers, can do to reduce our food costs.

In fact, a 2019 study found that gluten-free products are around 183% more expensive than their regular counterparts.

Gluten-free oats are culled from the highest quality kernels in the field, making them the most labor-intensive and expensive oat crop to harvest and process.

The price of a product depends on its supply and demand. Compared to “normal” grain products containing gluten produced for the wider population, the market for gluten-free dietary products is small. The higher price of these products is primarily due to the complex form of production.

A gluten-free diet is essential for those with celiac disease. However, there is little evidence to support its use in people without celiac disease, and it may increase the risk of nutritional deficiencies. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. This protein helps foods hold their shape.

A gluten-free diet is based on the products which have a high glycemic index and are devoid of dietary fiber. These foods contain many simple carbohydrates and fats. These factors can give rise to nutritional deficiencies, constipation, and the development of the metabolic syndrome [82].

Gluten-free bread and pasta are significantly more expensive than their non-gluten free counterparts. This price difference likely poses a severe economic burden and makes it difficult for low-income families with wheat allergy or celiac disease to obtain safe foods.

Why Going Gluten-Free is So Popular. “It's twofold,” says Komar. “There are a lot of people who are being diagnosed with celiac disease. We now have blood tests, genetic testing or biopsies of the small intestine that can easily diagnose the condition.

How to make gluten-free affordable? ›

Brown rice flour is about as close to a 1:1 substitute for all-purpose flour as it gets since it provides structure and a “wheat-like” flavor.

In conclusion, oats that are pure and uncontaminated by gluten-containing grains are safe for consumption by most individuals with celiac disease, when taken in limited quantities. The availability of oats would improve food choices for those on a gluten-free diet.

The short answer is yes, honey is gluten-free. Honey is made by bees, who take the nectar from flowers and convert it into the delicious substance that we know as honey. On its own, this nectar does not contain wheat products and thus is safe for a gluten-free diet.

Oats contain avenin, which is a protein similar to gluten. Research has shown that most people with coeliac disease can tolerate gluten free oats with no problems. The issue is that sometimes oats are produced in the same place as wheat, barley and rye, and then become contaminated with these other grains.

Eliminating gluten is the only way to treat celiac disease, an allergic reaction to gluten that damages the lining of the small intestine. However, as part of a new diet fad, many people are going gluten-free to lose weight.

Gluten-free breads were on average 4.59 times as expensive as gluten-containing breads by ounce. The average price of gluten-containing pasta across grocery chains was $1.30 per package, or 8.10 cents per ounce, compared to the gluten-free pasta prices of $2.62 per package, or 21.86 cents per ounce.

Why are gluten-free products more expensive than those containing gluten? The price of a product depends on its supply and demand. The market for gluten-free diet products, in comparison to “normal” grain products containing gluten which are produced for the wider population, is small.

Although gluten-free products are proven to be beneficial for those who need them, they're not any healthier than those that contain gluten. And while following a gluten-free diet is safe, keep in mind that any diet that relies heavily on processed foods is unlikely to result in any health benefits.