Ok, here we go! Sharing my gluten-free cereal adventures in India – it was a real journey, lemme tell ya!
So, I started this gluten-free thing a while back, felt way better. But man, finding decent cereal in India that’s actually gluten-free? Tough job! First stop, the big supermarkets. I’m talking the ones that have like, aisles and aisles of imported stuff. I was scanning labels like a hawk. Found some “health food” brands claiming to be gluten-free. Double-checked everything, ’cause you never know.
The first one I tried? Buckwheat flakes. Sounded kinda healthy, right? Tasted like… well, cardboard. Seriously, needed a whole lotta fruit and honey to make it even remotely edible. My kid wouldn’t touch it with a ten-foot pole. Strike one.
Next up, I hit up some online stores. Figured they’d have a wider selection. Found a brand that was imported from, like, Europe or something. Pricey, but I was desperate. It was a mix of quinoa and some other grains I couldn’t pronounce. Actually tasted…okay! Not amazing, but not cardboard either. Problem? The serving size was TINY. Like, three tablespoons. Who eats three tablespoons of cereal?! I ended up having two bowls just to feel remotely full. My wallet was not happy.
- Tip #1: Always check the ingredients list carefully. “Gluten-free” doesn’t always mean it’s good!
- Tip #2: Be prepared to pay a premium for imported stuff.
Then I thought, “Okay, gotta think local.” India has tons of grains. Surely, there’s something. Started looking into amaranth (rajgira) and jowar (sorghum). Found some flakes made from those. Score! These were actually pretty good, especially the amaranth. Had a nutty flavor. Even my kid liked ’em! They were a little harder to find, had to go to some of the smaller health food stores or order online from specialized Indian brands focusing on traditional grains.
The Game Changer: Making My Own!
Eventually, I got tired of hunting around and decided to DIY. Figured, how hard could it be? I bought some amaranth seeds, puffed them up myself in a pan (that was a bit of an adventure – they pop everywhere!), and mixed them with some nuts, seeds, and dried fruit. BOOM! Homemade gluten-free cereal. Way cheaper, way tastier, and I knew exactly what was going in it.
So, yeah, that’s my gluten-free cereal saga in India. It was a process, but I finally found a solution that works. Making my own is the way to go, if you have the time. Otherwise, look for local grains like amaranth and jowar. Good luck out there, cereal hunters!