8 Functional Gluten-Free Foods That Go Beyond Basic Nutrition
Today's gluten-free brands aren't just leaving something out. They're putting something in: protein, fiber, electrolytes, botanical ingredients, and nutrients that offer something beyond great taste.
These are often called functional foods. But what exactly does that mean?
Functional foods are foods and beverages that offer potential health benefits beyond basic nutrition. They may contain added nutrients, naturally occurring compounds, or ingredients selected for a specific purpose. Think extra protein to support muscles, fiber for digestive health, electrolytes for hydration, or botanicals traditionally used for wellness.
Of course, functional doesn't automatically mean healthier, and not every ingredient delivers the benefits advertised on the package. But it's exciting to see gluten-free brands creating products that address different nutritional needs and preferences.
Here are eight gluten-free brands we love that are putting a fresh spin on functional foods!
1. Bellycious: Italian dinner that's kind to sensitive guts
The functional benefit: certified low FODMAP, designed for people managing IBS and sensitive digestion.
Bellycious founder Chiara already ran an Italian meal kit company when an IBS diagnosis changed how she had to eat. Instead of giving up pasta night, she rebuilt her recipes from the ground up.
The result is a line of one-pan pasta kits that are certified gluten-free by GFCO and certified low FODMAP by Monash University, where the low FODMAP diet was developed.
The pasta is a brown rice, corn, and quinoa blend that holds its shape. The sauces skip garlic and onion, two high-FODMAP ingredients that are surprisingly hard to cook Italian food without.
Flavor comes from tomatoes, basil, olive oil, olives, and capers instead. The kits are also lactose-free and Non-GMO Project Verified.
Add your own protein or veggie, and dinner is ready in about 15 minutes.
Try: Beef Bolognese, Arrabbiata & Sausage, Puttanesca, or the Variety Pack.
2. MOSH: A protein bar with brain health in mind
The functional benefit: protein plus a blend of nutrients selected with brain health in mind.
MOSH was started by Maria Shriver and her son, Patrick Schwarzenegger, inspired by their family's experience with Alzheimer's disease. Their goal was simple: make brain health part of everyday snacking.
MOSH bars are certified gluten-free and offer protein to help keep you satisfied. What sets MOSH apart is its signature Brain Blend, featuring ingredients such as Cognizin Citicoline, Lion's Mane, omega-3s, and vitamins B12 and D3. The specific nutrients and protein content vary by product, so check the label for the bar you choose. The brand also offers a plant-powered line.
These ingredients have been studied for various roles in nutrition and brain health, although eating a MOSH bar has not been shown to prevent Alzheimer's disease or improve cognitive function.
The feel-good part goes beyond the wrapper. A portion of purchases supports the Women's Alzheimer's Movement at Cleveland Clinic, which advances research and education related to women's brain health.
Try: Chocolate Sea Salt, Oatmeal Chocolate Chip, Blueberry Almond Crunch, or the Best Sellers Trial Pack.
3. Boostcous: Gluten-free couscous with serious protein and fiber
The functional benefit: 18 grams of plant-based protein and 11 grams of fiber per serving.
If you've missed couscous since going gluten-free, this one's for you! Traditional couscous is made from wheat, but Boostcous has reinvented those little pearls using just three ingredients: chickpeas, yellow lentils, and yellow peas.
The result is a gluten-free couscous with an impressive 18 grams of protein and 11 grams of fiber per serving. Protein helps maintain and repair muscles, while fiber supports digestive health and helps keep you feeling satisfied.
Boostcous was created by Colorado-based founders Bar Bruhis and Brian Gallagher, who wanted a quick, nourishing meal after long days spent skiing and biking. It cooks in about five minutes, making it an easy option for busy weeknights.
It's also certified gluten-free, vegan, kosher, and free from the top nine major allergens.
Use it in Mediterranean salads, grain bowls, soups, or as a simple side dish. You can even try it in our Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Couscous recipe!
Try: Boostcous Classic Pearled High-Protein Gluten-Free Couscous.
4. Essential Candy: Botanical lozenges for everyday wellness
The functional benefit: botanical ingredients in a convenient, slow-dissolving lozenge.
Tracy Ernst founded Essential Candy in 2018 with a simple goal: bring comfort to a close friend going through a difficult health journey. That act of care grew into a woman-owned brand that makes its botanical lozenges in Greenville, South Carolina.
Each blend pairs plant extracts and herbs with a slow-dissolving candy, offering a convenient way to enjoy botanical ingredients without capsules or powders. The brand offers USDA Organic, vegan, and certified gluten-free lozenges made without artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners, or preservatives.
There's a blend for different moments of the day, from winding down in the evening to enjoying something soothing after a meal. Keep in mind that botanical ingredients aren't a substitute for medical treatment, and their effects depend on the ingredient and dose.
Try: Wellness, Digestive, Slumber, or Breathe Better.
5. Tummydrops: Ginger and peppermint for queasy moments
The functional benefit: ginger and peppermint ingredients traditionally used to support digestive comfort.
Sometimes your stomach just isn't cooperating. That's where Tummydrops comes in!
Created by a board-certified gastroenterologist in 2009, Tummydrops offers organic ginger and peppermint lozenges designed for occasional stomach discomfort. Ginger has been studied for its potential to help with certain types of nausea, while peppermint has a long history of use for digestive comfort.
The brand offers a variety of flavors, including fruity ginger blends, peppermint options, and no-sugar varieties. Its products are certified gluten-free and kosher, with organic options made from carefully selected ingredients.
There's also Tummypops, a lollipop version that makes enjoying ginger and peppermint a little more fun. The brand developed these with younger patients in mind, although adults can enjoy them, too!
While ginger and peppermint have some research supporting digestive uses, the effectiveness of a particular lozenge depends on its formulation and dose. These products aren't a substitute for medical care if digestive symptoms are persistent or severe.
Try: The Tummydrops Savings Bundle with ginger and peppermint Tummypops, or explore the brand's ginger and no-sugar collections.
6. Hydra Hydration: Electrolytes in a fun new form
The functional benefit: electrolytes to help replace minerals lost through sweat.
Founder CC Salzman was a high school runner whose mom made her homemade electrolyte popsicles. In 2022, she turned that family idea into Hydra Hydration, based in Boston.
Hydra Pops combine electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, magnesium, and chloride with real fruit juice in a refreshing freeze-pop format. Electrolytes help maintain fluid balance and support normal muscle and nerve function, making them particularly useful when you're losing fluids and salts through sweat.
The pops contain no added sugar or artificial dyes and are made with fruit juice for sweetness and flavor. They're gluten-free, vegan, dairy-free, and soy-free.
Best of all, they're shelf-stable until you're ready to freeze them. Keep a stash in the pantry and pop them in the freezer whenever you want a cool treat after a workout or a hot afternoon outside.
Hydra also makes concentrated Sea Mineral Electrolyte Drops that can be added to water for those who prefer to sip their electrolytes instead.
Try: Hydra Drops Sea Mineral Electrolyte Drops or The Hydra Duo: Drops & Pops.
7. NEOBAR: Plant-based protein for on-the-go snacking
The functional benefit: plant-based protein in a convenient snack bar.
Need something to keep you going between meals? NEOBAR makes gluten-free, plant-based protein bars with ingredients such as dates, nuts, and rice protein.
The Cranberry & Cashew bar delivers 10 grams of protein in a 40-gram serving. Protein helps support muscle maintenance and repair, making these bars a convenient option when you need a little extra protein throughout the day.
They're also vegan and dairy-free, with sweetness coming primarily from dates and date juice rather than refined sugar. Keep in mind that date juice still contributes added sugars under FDA labeling rules, so it's worth checking the nutrition label if you're watching your sugar intake.
The Cranberry & Cashew variety contains cashews and hazelnut oil, so it isn't suitable for anyone with a tree-nut allergy.
Try: NEOBAR Cranberry & Cashew Vegan Protein Bars.
8. LÜME: Granola with functional botanicals
The functional benefit: thoughtfully selected botanical ingredients, biotin, and a lightly caffeinated option.
Granola is getting a functional makeover, thanks to LÜME. This gluten-free granola brand combines organic ingredients with botanicals and added nutrients, creating something a little different from your everyday breakfast cereal.
LÜME comes in three flavors, each with its own twist. Lavender Vanilla combines fragrant lavender, vanilla, and dates with added biotin. Cinnamon Almond features Ceylon cinnamon, almonds, and biotin. And Cacao Almond blends rich cacao and almonds with yerba mate, a plant ingredient that provides caffeine.
Biotin is a B vitamin that helps the body metabolize carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. While it's often associated with hair and nail health, extra biotin hasn't been shown to improve hair growth in people who already get enough of it. For those looking for a little pick-me-up, the Cacao Almond variety offers a lightly caffeinated option.
The granola is made with organic gluten-free oats, according to the manufacturer, and contains no seed oils or added natural flavors. It contains almonds and coconut.
Gluten-free note: The Love Me Gluten Free team reviewed LÜME's gluten-testing documentation, which showed results below 5 parts per million (ppm). This is well below the FDA's gluten-free labeling threshold of less than 20 ppm. The brand also reports using certified gluten-free oats.
Enjoy it with yogurt, sprinkle it over a smoothie bowl, or grab a handful for an afternoon snack.
Try: LÜME Granola Essentials Bundle, featuring all three signature flavors.
Discover More Gluten-Free Finds
From high-protein couscous and fiber-rich foods to botanical lozenges, electrolyte pops, and granola with added nutrients, these eight brands show how creative the gluten-free food world has become.
Functional foods aren't magic, and no single ingredient can replace a balanced diet. But they can offer convenient ways to meet nutritional needs, explore new ingredients, and enjoy more variety in your gluten-free routine.
Ready to discover something new? You can find all eight brands in the Love Me Gluten Free Market.
And if you love discovering new gluten-free products, subscribe to Love Me Gluten Free and get a curated assortment of gluten-free goodies delivered to your doorstep each month!
