THE HEALTH benefits of a gluten-free diet are highly debated - although celebrities like Victoria Beckham and Gwyneth Paltrow are glowing examples of how good you can look without gluten in your life.
Of course, many people follow a gluten-free diet for health reasons, avoiding foods like bread and pasta - gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, rye, and oats can be problematic, too - to avoid suffering from bloating, skin issues and abdominal pain.
Coeliac disease, which is thought to affect one in 100 people (it’s twice as common in women as in men), causes your immune system to react badly to gluten, which leads to damage in your gut. Coeliacs need to stick to a gluten-free diet.
Meat and fish, rice, potatoes, fruit and vegetables and lentils are all naturally gluten-free – and gluten-free meals are now readily available at some high street chains.
LEON is a leader in this field: their menu has a glorious selection of curries, burgers, chilli, salads, chicken nuggets and puddings – all of them gluten-free.
Gluten-free snacks aren’t too shabby these days, either: many of the leading snack brands like McVitie's have launched gluten-free versions of your favourite treats (we’re looking at you, Hobnobs).
If all else fails, there are always plain, salted potato chips. Best snack in the world – and gluten-free to boot.
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1. Best gluten-free crisps
We know crisps are gluten-free, but we can't pretend that snacking on them frequently is good for us. Hummus Chips are a healthier alternative - and just as delicious. These sea-salted crisps aren't just gluten-free and vegan, they're free from all of the other declarable allergens, and have 48% less fat than standard potato chips. These also taste amazing in dips.
Fans love how 'delicious', 'crunchy' and 'very tasty' they are.
- Eat Real Sea Salt Hummus Chips 45g, for £0.89p on Holland & Barrett - buy here
2. Best gluten-free snack bars
KIND's gluten-free bars are a divine combination of sea salt, sweet caramel and crunchy almonds and give you a sugar kick and energy boost in one - although they also happen to be low in sugar, with only 5g per 40g bar. They are also high in fibre and protein, so make a good snack pre or post-workout.
As one fan puts it: 'Absolutely the best nut bar on the market', while another says: 'both genuinely good for you and tastes fantastic'. At £1 a bar, the price is also right.
- (AD) KIND Caramel Almond & Sea Salt - Gluten Free - Healthy Snack Bar - 12x 40g bar, for £12 on Amazon - buy here
3. Best gluten-free savoury snack
Movie nights, after-school snacks, packed lunches: you've officially met your saviour. This gluten-free popcorn is light and flavourful, and comes in an appealing range of tastebud-stimulating flavours.
- (AD) PROPERCORN Sour Cream and Black Pepper Popcorn, pack of 24, for £19.20 on Amazon - buy here
4. Best low-calorie gluten-free snack
Fans call Itsu's Seaweed Thins - with a nice kick of wasabi - 'addictive', 'tasty' and a 'great snack with incredibly low calorie count'. Seaweed is also an excellent source of iodine, which is essential for thyroid and metabolic health. These also contain zinc, iron and B vitamins.
- (AD) 18 Pack of Gluten Free Itsu Wasabi Crispy Seaweed Thins 5 g, for £16.34 on Amazon - buy here
5. Best gluten-free biscuits
Gluten-free snacks have officially become mainstream: according to the pros, 'the gluten-free Hobnobs taste just the same as the standard ones!'
Yes, you'll get that crunchy biscuit and thick coating of chocolate you love. The only complaint is the price - but that might just serve to dissuade you from eating too many of them in one sitting...
- McVitie's Gluten Free Chocolate Hobnobs 150G, for £2.19 on Tesco - buy here
More Food and Drink
We've designed Sun Selects to help you to find the best products that won't break the bank.
Want a tasty gluten-free sweet treat? These gluten-free cakes are so good, you won't miss the wheat flour.
Enjoyed our roundup of the best gluten-free snacks? Then you might like our selection of gluten-free pretzels, too.
This article and any featured products have been independently chosen by The Sun journalists. All recommendations within the article are informed by expert editorial opinion. If you click a link and buy a product we may earn revenue: this helps to support The Sun, and in no way affects our recommendations.
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