by Claire Bennet | Easy Gluten Free
Hey friend,
Let’s be real — the internet is overflowing with wellness advice. One minute, someone’s telling you gluten is poison. The next, there’s a TikTok trend involving oat milk, moonlight, and something called “gluten detox water” (don’t do it ).
Gluten-free living has gone mainstream — and while that’s opened so many doors (hi, GF donuts in coffee shops!), it’s also created a ton of confusion.
So today, I want to pull back the curtain and walk you through the gluten-free trends that are actually helpful… and the ones that might be wasting your time (or money).
Let’s make sense of it all — together
TREND WORTH IT: Gluten-Free Sourdough
Yep — it’s real, and it’s delicious. GF sourdough uses wild fermentation with gluten-free flours like brown rice or sorghum, and it’s easier on digestion than many commercial GF breads.
Benefits:
- Naturally leavened (no yeast!)
- Lower in sugar than store-bought loaves
- Better texture and flavor
Coming soon: How to Make Your Own GF Sourdough Starter at Home!
TREND TO SKIP: Gluten-Free = Healthy
This one drives me nuts. Just because something is gluten-free doesn’t mean it’s good for you.
I’ve seen “gluten-free”:
- Cookies with 30g of sugar
- Instant noodles with mystery ingredients
- Cheese puffs with GF slapped on the bag
Claire’s take: Read the label. Whole foods > trendy branding.
Need help? Read: “Is It Really Gluten-Free? How to Read Labels Like a Pro”
TREND WORTH IT: Oat Milk Everything (With a Caveat)
Oat milk is creamy, froths like a dream, and is often naturally gluten-free — if made from certified GF oats.
Watch out for:
- Brands that don’t specify GF oats
- Sweetened or heavily processed versions
Try:
- Oatly (look for the GF label!)
- Califia Farms Unsweetened
- Or make your own at home (you only need oats + water!)
TREND TO SKIP: Gluten-Free “Detoxes” and Juice Cleanses
Let’s be honest: your liver does the detoxing, not that $80 green juice.
If you’ve cut out gluten and your body’s adjusting, that’s not detoxing — it’s healing. There’s no need for:
- Fasting for days
- Expensive powders
- Fear-based marketing
Eat nourishing food. Drink water. Rest. Repeat.
Need ideas for gentle, gut-friendly meals?
Try: “The First Week Gluten-Free: What I Wish Someone Told Me”
One-Pot Lentil Soup is one of my faves when I need a reset.
TREND WORTH IT: Baking with Alternative Flours
This one is 100% worth exploring. Almond, coconut, buckwheat, sorghum, teff… there are so many gluten-free flours that bring flavor, nutrition, and texture to your baking.
Claire’s rule: Don’t fear the flour mix!
A blend often gives the best results.
Download my free GF starter guide for my go-to pantry flours
Try: Fluffy Gluten-Free Pancakes
Or: Almond Flour Chocolate Chip Cookies
TREND TO SKIP: Gluten-Free FOMO
Social media can make you feel like you’re missing out.
People post their bakery finds, pasta parties, and croissant mornings — and suddenly, you’re wondering if gluten-free life means you’ll never enjoy food again.
Friend, hear me loud and clear:
You are not missing out. You are rediscovering joy, with food that loves you back.
Start here:
- Gluten-Free Pizza That Doesn’t Suck (yep, it’s real)
- Fudgy GF Brownies You’ll Make on Repeat
Final Thoughts from the Sunday Light Kitchen
Trends come and go — but your health, your gut, and your peace of mind? That’s what really matters.
Stay curious, stay kind to yourself, and don’t be afraid to try new things (especially if they involve pancakes).
But remember: the best “trend” is the one that makes you feel like you again.
You’ve got this. I’ll be here — apron on, tea steeping, always ready to test another recipe so you don’t have to
— Claire
Read Next:
- “What Is Gluten, Anyway? And Why Does It Affect So Many of Us?”
- “Celiac Disease vs. Gluten Sensitivity: What’s the Difference?”
- “Going Gluten-Free on a Budget: 12 Smart Shopping Hacks”
