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

FAQs

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

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.

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.

Specialty gluten-free foods, such as cereal, bread, and pasta, are often two to three times more expensive than standard gluten-containing products. However there are many ways to save money while on a gluten-free diet; read our cost-saving suggestions and tips below.

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.

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.

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.

Though efforts were made in the past to promote rice flour, demand remained low as its price was more expensive than wheat flour. The price gap has reduced however in the wake of the Ukraine crisis, enabling some rice flour producers in Japan to sell their products at prices very close to wheat flour.

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.

Milk and cream are the basic ingredients of ice cream and are naturally gluten free. However, the flavour of the ice cream and the environment it is made in can make it unsuitable for coeliacs. Sources of gluten in ice cream can include thickeners, colourings and flavourings such as barley malt syrup.

What are three cons of gluten-free? ›

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].

Making your own gluten-free flour may seem like an investment, and it may take some work to collect all the ingredients you'll need, but gram for gram, our homemade flour blends are less expensive than the gluten-free flours sold in stores.

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.

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.

Because of the physical and chemical characteristics of gluten – it is viscoelastic, rich in nutrition, and can easily be made into bread and baked – it is difficult to substitute for, and many of the commonly used substitutes are not fortified with the nutrients commonly found in gluten containing products.