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If you're considering going gluten free or you are newly gluten free, you may be frustrated by how high your grocery bill is climbing.  While you can buy traditional pasta for as low as 79 cents a pound, gluten-free pasta ranges from $1.99 to $3.99 a pound.  Gluten-free bread can run as high as $5.99 to $6.99 a loaf, and that loaf is much smaller than a loaf of wheat bread.  No wonder you're feeling the sting of a higher grocery bill.

The key to keeping your budget in check when going gluten free is to realize that you'll likely need to change your eating habits.  Yes, you can buy gluten-free breads, waffles, pancakes, pasta, and doughnuts, but they will all cost you a pretty penny.  A better way is to choose naturally gluten-free meals.

Stir Fries

Stir fries are not only healthy, but also tasty and filling.  Best of all, as long as you buy gluten free soy sauce or other sauces that you need, the meal will naturally be gluten free.  There are so many varieties of stir-fry meals that you could easily eat stir-fry a few times a week.

Soups

Many homemade soups like vegetable soup are naturally gluten free, especially if you make your own broth.  If you'd like some starch in the soup to make it more filling, consider adding beans or potatoes rather than noodles.

Find Natural Gluten Substitutes

If you're craving spaghetti but don't want to fork over the money for gluten free pasta, try a natural gluten-free alternative like spaghetti squash.  Or investing in a vegetable spiralizer and create noodles from sweet potatoes or zucchini.

For hamburgers or sloppy joes, there are alternatives to traditional buns.  A hamburger tastes very good wrapped in lettuce, and sloppy joes taste good served over a baked potato.  

If you're new to a gluten-free diet, don't assume that your grocery bill has to jump sky high.  Treat yourself to gluten-free bread or pasta when you're craving it, but don't feel like you have to use these crutches all the time.  If you're willing to try new foods and new combinations of food, you'll likely find that eating gluten free doesn't have to be as expensive as you thought.

What's your favorite food that is naturally gluten free?