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Business & Tech

The List: Yes, You Can Find Food You Can Eat

Vegetarian? Vegan? Gluten Free or Gluten Intolerant? Lactose Intolerant? Food allergies? If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, you are not alone. Go to the local grocers with Patch to find solutions and great eats for every special diet.

Some of us choose a certain diet or particular foods for various reasons. They may be personal, health related, ethical/moral, environmental, spiritual....The list goes on.

Other people, however, do not get to choose. Some people have food sensitivities or allergies and others have medical conditions to contend with (like celiac disease).

Regardless, we all need to eat.

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And for some, going to the grocery store can be daunting when you have special dietary requirements.

However, we are lucky to live where we do. We have many options of getting great groceries that go beyond just living off fruits and veggies. Ready for a tour?

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First though, let's do some quick definitions of some of the special diets out there.

Vegetarian: A vegetarian does not eat meat products. Some vegetarians do eat other animal based products (dairy, eggs) and they are called lacto-ovo vegetarians.

Vegan: A vegan is someone who does not eat any animal products or animal-based foods at all.

Gluten-Free: Eating gluten-free is having a diet that avoids all foods with gluten in it. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, rye, malts and triticale. In people with celiac disease (see above link for more information), this causes illness when this food is ingested. Some people are also gluten intolerant.

Lactose Intolerant: If someone is lactose intolerant, they have trouble digesting lactose, a sugar found in milk and foods made with milk.

Ready to shop? Let's go.

(University Place, Tacoma, Gig Harbor)

Why here: Fred Meyer has an outstanding health food section worthy of exploring. Here you will a large selection of gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian and dairy-free products. They carry everything from quick fixing and healthy convenience foods, appropriate breads and grains, and some fun products like desserts. Bonus: they have a huge array of health and wellness products, vitamins and supplements as well as other natural and organic products.

(University Place)

Why here: Trader Joe's has a great reputation for providing all kinds of wonderful vegan, vegetarian, dairy-free and gluten-free foods. Healthy and delicious convenience foods and snacks as well as other staples are all here. Trader Joe's products also have very detailed allergy labels. Bonus: They have a large list of all the gluten-free products in the store. Just ask! Plus, they even now carry a gluten-free beer. Yum!

Marlene's Natural Foods Market and Deli (Tacoma)

Why here: This longtime independent grocer has been providing locals with green, organic, natural and sustainable foods for many years and have a nice selection of all kinds of health foods and products for everyone. Bonus: The deli is a special treat. Try the vegan cakes and other baked goods baked from scratch onsite. We swear you can't tell the difference!

Metropolitan Market (Tacoma)

Why here: This Tacoma grocery staple offers a variety of products suited to special dietary needs throughout the store, with particular focus on the bakery, deli and frozen foods sections. Bonus: The large bakery offers all kinds of gluten-free baked goods, the deli has their fresh soups well marked with food labels, and the frozen section has all kinds of speciality foods and delicacies for special diets.

Top Foods (Tacoma)

Why here: Top Foods boasts a large gluten-free section with a wide range of products. Click on the link above to see all the brands and foods offered--you'll be amazed. Bonus: if there's something you'd like, and the store doesn't offer it, just ask. Also, Top Foods has competitive prices in addition to great selection.

Happy shopping and eating!

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