Product Review: Udi's Gluten-Free Whole Grain Bread

In 2004, I discovered an inheritance from my Irish great-great grandfather . It wasn't a pot of gold. That would have been fun! Instead, I inherited a genetic condition, originating in Northern Europe, called Celiac Disease (CD).

People with CD are unable to digest storage protein, commonly called "gluten," found in wheat, barley, and rye. When Celiacs consume these grains, damage to the small intestine occurs, resulting in the body's inability to absorb life sustaining nutrients.

The only known cure for CD is strict adherence to a gluten-free diet, which translates to a diet void of wheat, barley, or rye, or any products containing them.

One of the 1^st things I did, after my CD diagnosis, is look for gluten-free bread. My, oh, my! You have no idea how bad gluten-free breads were back then. They were hard, thin, tasteless, and they crumbled. GF Bread had to be frozen to keep it from drying out and toasted to keep it from falling apart. I decided, at the time, I'd rather give up bread altogether.

A couple of years later, I discovered Whole Foods Market Gluten-Free Bread . I liked the taste, but still had to toast it. I longed for nice, soft bread, untoasted, like what you'd use for a peanut butter sandwich.

Udi's Gluten-Free Foods stepped up to the palate. :) Udi's produces bread that smells like a bakery when the package is opened. Udi's GF Whole Grain Bread has a firm texture, a delicious taste, and it doesn't have to be toasted. The bread is tender without falling apart. It reminds me of bread from pre-Celiac days.

Udi's Whole Grain Bread contains no dairy, no soy, and is nut free. It is certified by the Whole Grain Council as Whole Grain/9 g. per portion.

Following are Udi's Whole Grain Bread Ingredients:

Filtered water, Tapioca starch, Brown Rice Flour, Potato Starch, Sunflower Oil, Egg Whites, Evaporated Cane Juice, Tapioca Maltodextrin, Teff Flour, Brown Rice Syrup or Tapioca Syrup, Flax Seed Meal, Yeast, Xanthan Gum, Baking Powder (sodium Bicarbonate, Cornstarch, Calcium Sulfate, Monocalcium Phosphate), Mold Inhibitor (Cultured Corn Syrup, Asorbic Acid), Dry Molasses (Molasses, Maltodextrin ), Ascorbic Acid (Microcrystalline Cellulose, Corn Starch), Enzymes. Contains: Eggs

Udi's states on the package, "We're old school artisan bakers-we believe food made with joy is a joy to eat. Our mission is to share that joy with others."

I feel the joy! I give Udi's Gluten-Free Whole Grain Bread 5 out of 5 stars, except for its cost. I pay $5.99 for a 12 oz. loaf. It's pricey, but worth it.

As stated on the bag,Udi's other gluten-free products include artisan granola, bagels, pizza crust and deliciously indulgent muffins. Store frozen or on your counter top. If needed, refresh in a toaster or microwave for 10 seconds.

Contact Information:

Udi's Gluten-Free Foods

7010 Broadway #430

Denver, Colorado 80221

www.udisglutenfree.com