Trader Joe's Whole Grain Drink

Have you noticed that Trader Joe's is providing more and more gluten-free foods for us to enjoy?

For that matter, have you noticed that every grocery store suddenly seems flooded with more and more gluten-free goods? We seemed to have reached a tipping point, people. We're here to stay.

Of course, as more companies jump on the gluten-free bandwagon, trying to make money from the obvious demand, the quality of those foods varies widely. I've tried some truly awful gluten-free foods in the last few years. The last few months have brought some mouthfuls that I couldn't swallow. Seriously, there's some bad stuff out there.

This, however, is fantastic.

Before my celiac diagnosis, I would not have thought anything called Whole Grain Drink would be any good. Now, however, I've not only come to love whole grains but also appreciate the power they have. We eat quinoa or millet or teff or brown rice every day. I baked with flax seed meal and amaranth flour and oats frequently. The irony is that I ingest more whole grains now than I ever did when I thought I could eat wheat.

This drink is one of the most pleasant ways to get a good dose of whole grains that I've ever tried.

It's not as weird as it sounds. It's like rice milk, or soy milk, or hemp milk — there's another thing I thought I would never like — except this time it's made with brown rice, amaranth, millet, and quinoa.

It tastes faintly of vanilla. It's thick enough to have a texture, but not so thick that you think you're drinking sludge. It's light and somehow quite addictive.

Will it help to know that I enjoyed this so much that I kept taking slugs right from the carton, as I stood in front of the refrigerator? I couldn't help it.

Next time I'm back at Trader Joe's, I'm buying a case.