Apps are generally designed to make our lives easier and/or more enjoyable. They manage to add even more functionality to our smartphones as they make specific information available to you at a moment’s notice. And that’s exactly what the 5 best gluten-free apps we are sharing today, will do.
Disclaimer: Keep in mind that while gluten-free apps make every attempt to provide users with the most comprehensive and reliable information, they can be limited. Many apps are based on a crowdsourcing model so the accuracy/validity of the information may not have been tested or there could be gaps in the information. Also, occasionally ingredients and facilities differ between countries, which adds a layer of complexity to the information vetting process. Ultimately, it’s important to be able to vet places and products yourself as you are your own best advocate. Know the alternative names for gluten and how to read gluten-free labels; like what “may contain” vs “contains” means. Understand the tips for gluten-free dining out so you can guarantee the food you eat is safe.
We have broken the apps down into three categories: restaurant finders, scanners, and others.
5 Best Gluten-Free Apps To Make Your Life Easier
Best Gluten-Free Apps: Restaurant Finders
Find Me Gluten Free: This free app allows you to find restaurants in your area, no matter where you are. You can even look for restaurants in areas where you will be travelling. By being able to search other areas you can better plan your trip(s). Planning ahead lets you take the guesswork out of where you can safely dine, and allows you to just relax and enjoy yourself.
Reviews are user-generated, so you get an honest opinion on the food, service, and if customers had any reactions afterwards. Be sure to read multiple reviews of the restaurant to get a varied perspective so you can determine if a good/bad experience was a one-off or the norm. Find Me Gluten Free is a website, and it is available for both iOS and Android. Remember, if you have any other questions reach out to the restaurant itself, and/or access their website. Keep our tips for gluten-free dining out infographic handy for quick reference when needed.
Yelp: This might seem like an obvious choice, but you can select gluten-free as an option when searching for restaurants. Yelp can help you plan more than just meals too. So, if you are travelling, this app might help you plan other areas of your trip as well. Yelp is a website, and it is available as an app for both iOS and Android.
Best Gluten-Free Apps: Scanners
The Gluten-Free Scanner: This is a scanner you can use in the grocery store to scan products and find out if they are gluten-free. This scanner is available for both iOS and Android. The downside of this app is that sometimes products aren’t in the scanner. Also, some consumers complain that the information in the app is the same on the box. The scanner does hope to point out hidden gluten, so it goes beyond what is on the box. This would be helpful if you are shopping somewhere new, looking for a new category of product, or are new to gluten-free living.
Shopwell: This app gives you a way to personalize your allergen profile. Thus, when you scan an item, it tells you if multiple allergens are present, not just gluten. So, if you have a nut or dairy allergy as well, this app might just be for you. After inputting your goals and needs into the app, this app can even tell you if another brand’s version of the product you want can better suit your needs. So, if you need to be low-sodium or sugar-free (for example), this app helps you make healthier choices for the items you need. This app is free and available for both iOS and Android operating systems.
Best Gluten-Free Apps: Other
Eat! Gluten-Free: This app is from the Celiac Disease Foundation, and it helps with living your best gluten-free life. This is a “hub of gluten-free products, recipes, services, and companies.” It also has news and research. Eat! Gluten-Free would be a great introduction to the world of living gluten-free. This information is not just for those with Celiac disease, as anyone with non-Celiac gluten sensitivities will find this a very handy resource. This app is available for both iOS and Android so everyone can use it.
These 5 best gluten-free apps are the most reliable apps based on my research. There are many gluten-free apps available and the best way to determine if they work for you is trial and error. If it doesn’t meet your needs, you can always delete it with just a tap of your fingers.
Do you use any of these 5 gluten-free apps? Are there other gluten-free apps that we should check out? Let us know in the comments. Remember, sharing is not only caring but it also helps make our GFF community stronger.
Peace ✌
4 comments
I like the FIG app. You can personalize your allergens on it.
Hi Anne Jory,
Thank you so much for letting us know about the FIG app. Personalizing your allergens sounds very helpful.
Cheers,
Elyse
Would love for you to check out the Gluten Dude app 🙂
Hi Gluten Dude,
We will check out the app. Thank you for the info.
Cheers,
Elyse