I was always taught to read labels. The dietary fact sticker on every snack caught my eye before the snack itself did. In a house full of allergies, my highly-trained eyes scanned these information sections for peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, soy, and sesame seeds. I was an allergy kid and thus, had a natural distrust of all prepackaged foods.
My personal allergy journey was a long one. We could never seem to figure out what was wrong with me. My constant pains and aches were eventually determined to be caused by gluten, and since then, I have not intentionally eaten gluten products.
After four years of gluten abstinence, I still struggle every day to find substitutes for the things I miss the most. I crave bagels most mornings, look longingly at cakes during every birthday celebration, and sit out on the 3 a.m. pizza after a night out. Life is full of compromises when it comes to my diet, and I’m tired of having to exchange experiences for health.
Above all, I find myself missing baked goods. I have struggled for four years to find brands that prioritize gluten free options and are able to ensure a completely gluten free product. So many companies fail to list gluten as a contaminant in their products, resulting in severe reactions that keep me bed ridden for weeks on end. I used to fear buying baked goods even if they were marked “GF,” as I felt like there was no brand I could completely trust.
When I tried Bobo’s Oat Bars for the first time, it immediately satisfied my need for baked goods without feeling anxious about potential gluten exposure. Founded by fellow Buff, CU and Leeds Alum Beryl Stafford, Bobo’s breakfast bars are a dedicated, gluten free facility that makes delicious breakfast bars and bites that I know I can trust! Made with only four ingredients, these bars are truly baked in the heart of Boulder. These bar are:
- Gluten free
- Dairy free
- Soy free
- Non-GMO
- Kosher
- Vegan
By maintaining trust with their consumers, Bobo’s is able to continuously offer new flavors of bars and snacks. Since 2003, these bars have been made “the old-fashioned way, in the same small batches, using the same ingredients, and baked in the same pans.” The variety (from strawberry to pumpkin to coconut) leaves me full, happy, guilt free, and gluten free! Simply, Bobo’s is the only company I feel comfortable straying from my normal order with. Bobo’s works to create a safe, allergen-free space where I feel especially privileged to finally have options.
I know the struggles of a diet change and adapting to new norms can be challenging, but companies such as Bobo’s make this change incredibly easy and welcoming. My gluten free experience has been forever changed by companies that validate my allergies and continue to make delicious and accessible goods for all.
Shop all Bobo’s Oat Bars, and learn more about their humble beginnings right here in Boulder, CO.