Betty Crocker Goes Gluten Free

So, one of the benefits of being on Twitter is that you get to read all of the updated celiac info from people who look for articles and news on gluten free food. There are about a million posts I miss, but this one caught my eye today, from a press release from Betty Crocker:

"One in nine U.S. households watches, reduces, or avoids gluten intake," said Michelle Tucker, M.S., registered dietician and senior scientist at the Bell Institute of Health and Nutrition. "When you combine the number of households with those affected by celiac's disease and others that choose to follow a low gluten or gluten free diet, it equals the percentage of households that limits dairy intake and is three times the percentage of households that avoid nuts."

Because of this, Betty Crocker has decided to introduce gluten free mixes at a price point of $4.49 for their yellow cake, devil's food cake, chocolate chip cookies, and brownies. And you thought eating gluten free would help you cut out carbs! I say, way to go Betty Crocker. They are producing these mixes in a dedicated facility to ensure there is no contamination. They have made them affordable and available at your grocery store, so you won't have to make two trips to the health food store just because it's your birthday. For those of us with children, how often have you wished you could just whip up a batch of brownies from a mix for dessert after a crazy day or just make cupcakes to celebrate a special achievement? These mixes may be worth their weight in gold if we don't have to combine twenty ingredients to get flat brownies that taste like garbanzo beans. (No offense, garbanzo beans. We owe you one for being edible.) I haven't taste tested these yet, so I'll have to let you know about flavor after they hit my store's shelves. But even if they are a bit lacking, you can't argue with the convenience factor.

We can only hope that other brands will heed Betty's example (Campbell's, are you listening?) and provide even more accessible gluten free food for the rest of us, who are always on the hunt for mainstream products that are safely produced and have great taste. Happy eating, and thanks again, Betty!