10 Gluten-Free Apps to Help You Shop and Eat Out

Have you ever stood in the grocery store holding a package and wondered if that food was truly gluten-free? What about when you are wandering around a new area, enjoying the scenery but wondering if there's a gluten-free restaurant where you can eat?

Several app developers have taken on the challenge to create iPhone and Android apps that help you identify gluten-free foods and ingredients, along with restaurants with gluten-free menus. But consumers should be careful about the accuracy of the data.

When you're shopping for apps, check for the most recent update date since it might affect the accuracy of brand and food data. Formulations and ingredients change regularly so something that was safe three years ago (when the app last was updated) may not be safe today.

Shopwell

With Shopwell, you use your smartphone to snap photos of a food barcode and then find out how it aligns with your personalized profile set up in the app.

Those who eat a gluten-free diet can find out if a particular food contains gluten and also get recommendations regarding better choices. The free app is available for iOS and Android.

Allergy Eats

This popular website is also available in app form for your iOS or Android smartphone. It can be used by anyone with a food sensitivity or food allergy to identify restaurants that might cater to your needs.

View peer-based ratings reflecting how well (or poorly) restaurants accommodate the needs of food-allergic and food-intolerant guests. The app is free.

Sift

This free, easy-to-use app allows you to photograph the barcode of any food product with your phone and get instant information from a database of over 400,000 products.

The app translates ingredients into simple terms and flags ingredients that pose health risks. It can be used by those on a gluten-free diet, but also by those following other types of diets or simply setting food or nutrition goals. It is available on iOS and Android.

mySymptoms Food Diary

This inexpensive app is designed for anyone who may have a food allergy or sensitivity. It helps you identify triggers by tracking what you eat and the symptoms that you feel in a diary format.

It is currently available for iOS devices and will soon be available for Android.

Find Me Gluten-Free

Find Me Gluten-Free is a free app for both iPhone and Android that claims a community of more than 3 million users. It allows them to evaluate businesses, check reviews, and see gluten-free menus from local and chain restaurants.

The app uses your current location to search, or you can input a town or city and use it as your starting point. Users also can get directions and call businesses directly from the app.

Eat! Gluten Free

This free app was developed by the Celiac Disease Foundation. You can check for brands and stores that sell gluten-free products and use filters to search for particular items.

You'll also find recipes and other cooking and preparation tips. The app is available for both Android and iOS

Gluten Free Scanner

Gluten Free Scanner allows you to scan the barcodes of over 500,000 different products in the grocery store and get an instant verdict on whether they're considered gluten-free or not.

The information is based on ingredients, not on manufacturers' gluten-free labeling or disclosure of potential gluten cross-contamination risks.

The app is available for iOS devices only. There's a free version you can download to try before purchasing the full version, which costs $3.99. It offers unlimited scans and allows you to search by product name, category, or brand.

iEatOut Gluten & Allergen Free

This gluten-free and allergy-friendly app from Allergy Free Passport allows you to select different allergens (dairy, eggs, fish, shellfish, peanuts, soy, tree nuts, or gluten) then look through ingredient lists from various sample ethnic and international restaurant menus to determine which selections might be suitable for you.

The app does not include actual restaurant menus with allergen information—so you'll still need to talk to the chef or the manager to double-check ingredients and to make sure the restaurant can make the meal without cross-contamination.

iEatOut Gluten & Allergen Free, which sells for $2.99, covers Chinese, French, Indian, Italian, Mexican, Steak & Seafood, and Thai restaurants.

iCanEat Gluten-Free Fast Food

iCanEat Gluten-Free Fast Food is another app from Allergy Free Passport. It lists gluten-free items from 45 major fast-food chains in the U.S., including larger chains like McDonald's and Domino's and also smaller chains such as Five Guys and Corner Bakery Cafe.

Like iEatOut Gluten & Allergy Free, it allows you to choose multiple major allergens to exclude in addition to wheat and gluten. The app is $2.99 and is available for iPhone and iPad.

Gluten-Free Restaurant Cards

This free iPhone and iPad app includes images of restaurant cards in more than 40 different languages, sourced from CeliacTravel.com.

Each card can be shown to a server, chef, or manager to help ensure a safe gluten-free meal. It's easy to use and handy to have when traveling abroad.

A Word From Verywell

Although apps can make living gluten-free easier, remember that these are designed only to provide you with information, and that information can sometimes be outdated or inaccurate.

If something seems off with a food product or a menu item that's listed as safe by one of these apps, don't consume it without double-checking with the company or the chef.

Sources

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