When I first began eating gluten-free, I would read labels like I was going to be quizzed on them. No joke. I took looking for the “hidden” gluten on labels very serious. It has since gotten easier. I’m more familiar with what to look for and I can now scan a label fairly quickly to see if it’s gluten-free or not. When I’m trying a new product, the label review is step one. If it doesn’t pass, it doesn’t get purchased. Step one is followed very closely with researching gluten-free product reviews.
Since going gluten-free, the gluten-free product market has exploded with more and more people eating gluten-free for health and/or other dietary reasons. There used to be very limited choices and you generally had to go to specialty shops to find them. Now there are a plethora of options on the shelves of your local grocery store. From a convenience perspective, this is amazing. From a quality perspective, you quickly realize not all gluten-free products are created equal.
There are gluten-free products that can stand up to any gluten version and some that even surpass their gluten equivalent. Unfortunately, there are other gluten-free products that feed the misconception that eating gluten-free means eating compromised. But we know that is not the case.
The GFF Seal of Approval Must be Earned
The first rule of any of the gluten-free recipes I create or adapt is that it has to hold up to – or be better than – the traditional version (and by traditional, I mean gluten version). And I carry that rule over into my GFF (Gluten-Free Foodee) gluten-free product reviews as well. In these reviews is where we will spill all the tea (tell the truth for those non-Drag Race fans).
We will judge every product fairly and honestly. If the product rates are Above Average across the board, well then that product will be awarded the GFF Seal of Approval. No participation trophies here. The GFF Seal of Approval has to be earned and deserved. I vow to always give you the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth based on my personal experience.
GFF Gluten-Free Product Reviews Criteria
Look & Feel
Each criteria in the Look & Feel and Taste section will be rated out of 4 (4 = Excellent, 3 = Above Average, 2 = Average, and 1 = Poor). Each criteria will also be rated by how it compares to its gluten version. I will be adding comments to each criteria when the rating needs a little more explanation.
| Did the look of the product meet expectations? (/4) |
| Did the preparation of the product meet expectations? (/4) |
| Was the texture as expected for the product? (/4) |
| Did the texture withstand the mode it was used? (/4) |
| Based on the texture, would you purchase this product again? (/4) |
Taste
| How would you rate the taste of the product? (/4) |
| Did the product have any aftertaste? (/4) |
| Did the product leave you wanting more? (/4) |
| Did the taste blend well with the mode it was used? (/4) |
| Based on the taste, would you purchase this product again? (/4) |
Misc
Each criteria in the Misc section will be rated out of 2 ( 2 Above Average, 1 = Average, 0 = Below Average). Each criteria will also be rated by how it compares to its gluten version. Once again, I will be adding comments to each criteria when the rating needs a little more explanation.
| Did the size of the product represent the value for the cost? (/2) |
| Did the size of the product meet expectations? (/2) |
| Were all ingredients easily identifiable on the packaging? (/2) |
| Is the product made in a gluten-free facility? (/2) |
| Would you recommend this product? (/2) |
This is the criteria on which we will be basing our gluten-free product reviews but we consider it a work-in-progress. If/when we identify ways to make it more meaningful, we will implement the necessary changes ASAP because we want to give the best review every time.
Do you have any suggestions on how we can improve our review criteria? Please let us know in the comments.
You can download a PDF copy of the GFF Gluten-Free Product Review sheet by clicking the Download button below.
