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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Any coeliacs here?

165 replies

StopInvolvingMe · 16/02/2023 18:32

Sorry posting for traffic

my DH has just been diagnosed so I’m on a mission to get all our groceries gluten free. Some products are clearly labelled as gluten free but I’m getting all confused with products which are not obvious, things like brown sauce, chutney or jam for example. Do I need to avoid anything containing ‘wheat’ on the ingredients list?

if anyone can offer any advice on products which are not obviously gluten free or any pearls of wisdom/ advice I’d really appreciate it as Google is now overwhelming me and I thought it may be best to ask real people!

thank you very much!

OP posts:
krazipan · 16/02/2023 18:35

I was diagnosed last summer. I avoid everything with wheat, barley, spelt, rye and oats (unless specified gluten free oats). I also avoid all may contain for any of the above ingredients. They will be in bold on the ingredients list so are easy to spot.
It's hard work to begin with and a bit rubbish when realise just how many things contain gluten (some haribo sweets and mars bars for example!) but it does get easier.

cestlavielife · 16/02/2023 18:37

Coeliac uk has hood advice
Is dh taking it on too ? He cannot leave it all to you

CCCCough · 16/02/2023 18:37

coeliac U.K. have lots of info to help you. It’s not just items containing wheat you need to avoid!

www.coeliac.org.uk/information-and-support/living-gluten-free/
People with coeliac disease can safely eat many common plants, seeds, grains, cereals and flour, including corn, polenta, potatoes, rice and soya. However they should avoid barley, wheat, rye, couscous and semolina as they contain gluten.

Becky Excell has lots of info on her site about everyday items. If you Google accidentally gluten free …..and the name of where you shop you will get a link like this. Products designed as GF can be expensive so accidentally GF ones are regular price.
glutenfreecuppatea.co.uk/2020/09/15/accidentally-gluten-free-products-in-sainsburys/

she has recipes and meal ideas too
glutenfreecuppatea.co.uk

Towntroubadour · 16/02/2023 18:38

As above. Always check the may contain warnings as well and avoid. You can get a lot of gluten free stuff in the non free from aisle. Two of my kids have coeliac and it is a bit of a learning curve.

You need to make sure you’re not sharing toasters, spreads, butter anything like that at home. We have a gluten free only chopping board as well.

cestlavielife · 16/02/2023 18:38

Buy some "gluten free " stickers (lots online) and lable separate butter jam eyc
Get a separate toaster label it gf only

multivac · 16/02/2023 18:38

Hi. Ds was diagnosed as coeliac age 4; he's 18 now.

It's not just wheat you need to avoid, but also barley, rye and non gf oats - read every label, and don't rely on 'gluten free' labels.

It is overwhelming at first, but you get used to it really quickly. Eating out can be tricky, as you have to watch out for cross contamination (so 'are the chips cooked in separate oil?' for example), but in your own space, it's manageable. Ds has his own toaster and butter, and we NEVER get crumbs in the jam...

Mulberry974 · 16/02/2023 18:38

I'd also recommend joining Coeliac UK, they can provide lots of help and support.

stepstepstep · 16/02/2023 18:40

DSS was diagnosed over the summer, he has an app from coeliac uk on his phone, you can scan the bar code on an item & it tells you whether it’s ok or not. He scans everything! It helps him feel in control & gives him some peace of mind.

Oceancreature · 16/02/2023 18:41

Hi Op
I think the allergens have to be highlighted in bold on the ingredients list on the packets so look on there. In terms of products in my experience it is useful at first to try a few types of gf bread etc and see which you like. We found natures path cereal very nice, M&S. made without range is good, genius does good bread rolls and schar lots of good stuff including pizza bases. I think most of this is available in most supermarkets. You can buy gf gravy, stuffing and Yorkshire puddings for roast dinners too, oh and gf beer peroni and damm are ok. Best of luck it got easier once we got used it.

TheHomeEdit · 16/02/2023 18:42

Coeliac UK definitely a good starting point. Ds was diagnosed at 11 so obviously I took on checking / providing food to start with but like previous poster agree that your dh needs to inform himself.

Don't share things like butter or jams if rest of family are using regular bread, buy a new gluten free toaster, Hoover your cutlery drawer (I am always amazed at volume of crumbs that accumulate there).

We tend to favour rice over pasta as a family since everyone can eat it.

Becky Excell cookbooks are good.

CMOTDibbler · 16/02/2023 18:42

One thing that often trips people up is that a single brand like Bisto can have some variants that are gluten free and some which aren't for no apparent reason. And at any point they can change to contain gluten so you always need to read the label.

Falconfield · 16/02/2023 18:42

Wheat free bakery Scotland. They ship to England too and their GF choux buns are bloody amazing!!

multivac · 16/02/2023 18:43

NB we have never found a jam ds couldn't eat; chutneys and sauces can be difficult because of the vinegar. Also, sensitivity can vary; coeliac UK says that malt vinegar is ok, but D's reacts to it. On the other hand, we don't avoid 'may contain' products, as the risk of cross contamination is generally vanishingly small.

Sparklesz · 16/02/2023 18:47

Coeliac UK is £15 to join for the year and the app/scanner is fantastic.

Original poster
StopInvolvingMe · 16/02/2023 18:49

Thanks everyone- great advice

his favourite dessert is apple crumble does anyone happen to know any free from crumble mixes? Can’t seem to find any

OP posts:
cestlavielife · 16/02/2023 18:52

Look at doves farm website freeeee

Becky excell cook books

TheSnowyOwl · 16/02/2023 18:52

The app of Coeliac U.K. allows you to scan supermarket items to see whether they are safe.

Original poster
StopInvolvingMe · 16/02/2023 18:52

He’s also a chocoholic but luckily Cadburys are gluten free, but alas he can’t have maltesers! He also loves the jelly snakes but I’ll have to check the ingredients on those!

OP posts:
Original poster
StopInvolvingMe · 16/02/2023 18:54

cestlavielife · 16/02/2023 18:52

Look at doves farm website freeeee

Becky excell cook books

Just checking out this website looks fab!

OP posts:
Original poster
StopInvolvingMe · 16/02/2023 18:54

cestlavielife · 16/02/2023 18:52

Brilliant, I get Ocado delivered occasionally so will put that in my trolley

OP posts:
Badger1970 · 16/02/2023 18:56

I've got 2 coeliac grandchildren and was initially terrified of cooking for them. I downloaded the Coeliac UK app and scanned everything I bought initially, but after a while you get more confident. It's the silly things like having separate butter, jars of jam etc as I can't trust DH to use a spoon/not contaminate things when they're here. And I've got a separate toaster for them that i keep wrapped in a bag when in the cupboard.

ZaZathecat · 16/02/2023 18:56

Watch out for soy sauce! I never would have thought it contained wheat, but it usually does, which makes having a Chinese meals out very tricky. You can buy gluten free soy sauce though to use at home.

DrCoconut · 16/02/2023 18:58

Be careful with Cadbury's as a lot of it is not safe for coeliacs (looking at you sadly now contaminated mini egg bar). I'm 2 years in now and the best thing you/he will ever do is learn about labeling. Apps are prone to error, recipes change and the app isn't updated etc. The label must by law be accurate and so if you can tell from that if a product is OK you will never look back.