Gluten-Free Savings

WASHINGTON, DC (WUSA) -- Gluten-free macaroni and cheese.  gluten-free cereal.  And, gluten-free cake mix.  Gluten-free foods are everywhere.  But what is gluten?

"It's sugar, right?  That's gluclose," says one shopper.

Another says, "It's a wheat or a sugar."

ShopSmart's Sue Perry says they're wrong. 

"Gluten is a protein naturally found in wheat, barley and rye.  And, it's a binding agent that holds dough together as it bakes," she says.

CR ShopSmart took a closer look to see if you should buy into the hot gluten-free food trend.

Dr. Orly Avitzur says, "There's a greater awareness about gluten now because there's better recognition of celiac disease, which damages the small intestines.  That damage prevents people with celiac disease from absorbing the nutrients in food."

Gluten can show up in unlikely places like hot dogs, tea, deli meats and even lip gloss.

"There are people that don't have celiac who say they feel better eliminating gluten from their diets.  But gluten-free products do have nutritional deficiencies, and they can cost two or three times more," Sue Perry says.

ShopSmart says consider cheaper alternatives that offer good nutrition, grains like quinoa, amaranth and buckwheat.

And corn is gluten-free, too.  So, don't bother paying more for gluten-free tortillas.

"Get naturally gluten-free Rice Chex or better yet a generic rice cereal and save even more," says Sue.

With money save, you can splurge on a gluten-free dinner out.  That's because more and more restaurants, like Outback Steakhouse, are offering gluten-free entrees.

And, here are some other money saving ideas for naturally gluten-free snacks.

Consider vegetables, nuts and popcorn.

Web sites like amazongluten-free.com has an extensive listing of gluten-free foods.

And, although Super Target and Costco offer fewer products, they're still worth it when it comes to shopping for savings.