Gluten-free loaf bread (followed closely by gluten-free pizza) seems to be the gold standard on which a dedicated GF bakery is judged. It’s one of the first gluten-free products most newly diagnosed celiacs will purchase and surely is one of the first gluten-free products that most newly diagnosed celiacs will turn their nose up at and then wallow in self-pity about how they will never enjoy food again. No more convenience, no more soft Wonder bread, just a life of eating a dry, crumbly, and flavorless piece of styrofoam. This by itself could answer the question about depression being associated with celiac disease (I wish it were that easy).
When I was diagnosed in 1999, there were only one or two brands of gluten-free rice bread available — and that was only at a health food store. They tasted like a loaf of sand and had absolutely zero flavor. Trying to make a sandwich with it was a test in patience as it would all immediately crumble into hundreds of little pieces when trying to pick it up — leaving you with a handful of whatever was on the inside of the sandwich. Guess what? I gave up on sandwiches.
A few years later, I was craving bread again and started looking online to see what was available. I came across several GF bakeries offering everything from gluten-free loaf bread to gluten-free baguettes to gluten-free ding dongs — my eyes opened up and my jaw dropped. Until just a year ago (or two), I had completely given up on store bought gluten-free bread — until I came across Udi’s. I had heard mention of it over and over again on various blogs and on Facebook, but hadn’t seen it at any of my local stores. Finally, when I found it at my local Whole Foods Market, I grabbed it and rushed home to finally make a sandwich again. I started simple and just made an almond butter sandwich — I was almost in tears knowing that I had found something (available at my local store) that tasted as good as the sandwich bread I had given up years before. I’ve since tried many of Udi’s products and have been very pleased with it all.
The cult like following: All of this being said, I have since found a few different store bought brands that I like and occasionally buy. Every time I post something about some of the other brands, the comments come pouring in — things like, “I love Udi’s”, or “Udi’s is the best”, and even a simple “Udi’s!!!” They have a devoted and passionate following that love to spread the Udi’s word. It almost reminds me of Mac users — which as you may or may not know, is an incredibly loyal bunch. Udi’s, you should be proud that you have created a product that instills this kind of loyalty.
I guess with this post, I am now part of the Udi’s cult. There must be something in the water or the air in Colorado that makes them so good. I can think of a few gluten-free products and blogs coming out of Colorado that are what I consider, “Best in Class”.
