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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:
Mumski45 · 17/02/2023 07:43

@jamimmi which GF bread do you get from Booths. They used to be awful for GF but have been getting better recently. Cafe's are still rubbish though.

hotelcocoa · 17/02/2023 08:11

Marks & Spencer's 'Made Without Wheat' is very good. Both their bakery items and ready made foods

A lot of coeliacs react to GF oats (and they are not considered safe in other countries), so bear that in mind as many GF ranges (e.g. Sainsbury, Tesco) include them in their buiscuits

I agree that it's worth joining Coeliac UK if you can afford it as their app is very handy

hotelcocoa · 17/02/2023 08:14

If you (or your DH!) can do some simple cooking or baking (e.g. brownies, cookies) you can save a lot of money and eat much better as you are not so reliant on ready made products that are not always so tasty

brujarosada · 17/02/2023 08:29

@currantbee I have been haunting my local IKEA and not a trace 😭

currantbee · 17/02/2023 08:51

@brujarosada :-( Ikea was going to be the next place I tried.

OP, be prepared for your partner to be upset when gf things get discontinued and annoyed when the free from freezer is now filled with vegan stuff!

brujarosada · 17/02/2023 09:15

@currantbee absolutely. On that note, the Genius seeded cob referenced above is almost definitely on the way out. It's currently only available on Ocado as far as I have been able to tell.

hotelcocoa · 17/02/2023 09:28

OP, if you like soda bread, it's very easy to make, it takes two seconds and no kneading is necessary. There are many recipes online

It's just half rice flour, half tapioca flour, baking soda, buttermilk (can substitute with milk and vinegar) and salt

hotelcocoa · 17/02/2023 09:29

currantbee · 17/02/2023 08:51

@brujarosada :-( Ikea was going to be the next place I tried.

OP, be prepared for your partner to be upset when gf things get discontinued and annoyed when the free from freezer is now filled with vegan stuff!

True!!

hotelcocoa · 17/02/2023 09:30

hotelcocoa · 17/02/2023 09:28

OP, if you like soda bread, it's very easy to make, it takes two seconds and no kneading is necessary. There are many recipes online

It's just half rice flour, half tapioca flour, baking soda, buttermilk (can substitute with milk and vinegar) and salt

Oh, and you can also do it with Befree GF white flour or Befree GF bread flour. Although I find the latter has a weird taste so I prefer it without the added xantham gum

hotelcocoa · 17/02/2023 09:36

Schar is good for treats (biscuits, pretzels, etc). Lots of variety and it's reasonably priced given it's imported I believe. Also handy when you travel as it's in most large supermarkets in the EU and elsewhere.

Their bread is not fantastic but ok

hotelcocoa · 17/02/2023 09:38

Mumski45 · 16/02/2023 19:52

Watch out for GF spaghetti as it tends to clump together when you cook it and come out in one big lump unless you stand over it for the first few minutes and keep it moving. Other pasta shapes are much easier to use.

Add a bit of oil before you throw the pasta in. That will help with clumping also

hotelcocoa · 17/02/2023 09:41

Crikeyalmighty · 16/02/2023 20:45

If I can mention that the chain Bills have a totally separate GF menu, it's not massive - but does save trawling through menus and you can have GF bread with all their breakfast stuff.

Also Cote

Dulra · 17/02/2023 09:47

My daughters is coeliac. As others have said join Coeliac UK and get their app and food list. There is also a good FB page to follow called "coeliacs eat abroad" which is a great resource when you are travelling and a UK fb page called
I would also advise separate toaster and cupboard for gluten free food

hotelcocoa · 17/02/2023 09:51

StopInvolvingMe · 16/02/2023 21:05

Aw I got quite excited about the GF breads, they looked so good in the packet, but I guess realistically they will taste a bit naff. I’m thinking of also trying those GF baguette type ones, not sure if they are suitable to put in the oven, but will probably taste a bit better if they are crusty? Maybe with lashings of butter and bacon or some homemade soup

Yes, anything that can help make the bread a bit more moist will help (butter, mayonnaise, etc)

hotelcocoa · 17/02/2023 09:57

dnac · 16/02/2023 21:37

After 25 years of being coeliac and on a gluten free diet, I have to say I’ve pretty much had it with GF food. I still crave normal bread and cakes after all these years. GF versions are ok, but only ok and don’t really come close. Homemade GF cakes and pastries are hit and miss. Having to be careful all the time when eating out is tedious and even GF menus and ranges tend to be quite boring (I can’t bear another GF chocolate brownie). GF spaghetti is top of the list of annoyances as it generally takes the form of a tube shaped clump of pasta in the cooking, no matter how much I stir it.

what annoys me (and why I gave up on the coeliac society) is that there seems no particular effort to find a cure. Lots of gluten free products promoted but it seemed like there was a vested interest in not finding a cure so that we all keep buying the slightly more expensive GF alternatives.

I’m with the earlier poster. At some point if I make it to a decent old age, I’m going to chuck in the GF diet and have fresh, crusty white French bread to my heart’s content.

Yes, if I make it to 80 I'll start doing all sort of risky stuff 😉

I agree about the research community seeming uninterested in finding a cure. But that's for other autoimmune diseases as well, cancer etc

A cure doesn't put money into pharmaceutical companies' pockets

NeverDropYourMooncup · 17/02/2023 10:01

hotelcocoa · 17/02/2023 09:57

Yes, if I make it to 80 I'll start doing all sort of risky stuff 😉

I agree about the research community seeming uninterested in finding a cure. But that's for other autoimmune diseases as well, cancer etc

A cure doesn't put money into pharmaceutical companies' pockets

Show quote history

Well, the biologics market seems to be going crazy with new medications all the time - RA, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, parkinsons, other conditions - it seems reasonable to think that something for coeliac will come up at some point.

hotelcocoa · 17/02/2023 10:05

Oh and for eating out:

.at Honest burgers most of their menu is GF (they just substitute the buns)
.Itsu also have lots of GF options with a dedicated menu if you like sushi
.the Pho chain is mostly gluten free as well

redblonde · 17/02/2023 10:16

My daughter is coeliac and in addition to all the other posters I'd say she prefers Warbutons bread generally, except for bagels which best from Genius.

I don't think anyone has mentioned Yorkshire puddings yet - I tried making my own (including using Becky Excell's version) but eventually came across Aunt Bessie's gf mix - it makes amazing Yorkshires - just like normal ones. If you see it in the shops, get loads because it's not always available.

And for eating out we've found Wagamama's are great - completely separate gf menu.

currantbee · 17/02/2023 10:19

Itsu also have lots of GF options with a dedicated menu if you like sushi

You've just reminded me, I'm still annoyed at Itsu for changing their breakfast pots so they're no longer gluten free!

hotelcocoa · 17/02/2023 10:57

currantbee · 17/02/2023 10:19

Itsu also have lots of GF options with a dedicated menu if you like sushi

You've just reminded me, I'm still annoyed at Itsu for changing their breakfast pots so they're no longer gluten free!

😠

What I do miss is proper Chinese food at a Chinese restaurant. You can cook your own but it's not the same. Supermarket chinese food is usually rank. 😥

hotelcocoa · 17/02/2023 10:58

redblonde · 17/02/2023 10:16

My daughter is coeliac and in addition to all the other posters I'd say she prefers Warbutons bread generally, except for bagels which best from Genius.

I don't think anyone has mentioned Yorkshire puddings yet - I tried making my own (including using Becky Excell's version) but eventually came across Aunt Bessie's gf mix - it makes amazing Yorkshires - just like normal ones. If you see it in the shops, get loads because it's not always available.

And for eating out we've found Wagamama's are great - completely separate gf menu.

I've think I've seen some ready made ones in M&S, or were they frozen at Waitrose? I'll check and report back

TotallyFloored · 17/02/2023 11:03

My dad has an app through the coeliac society and you scan barcodes in the supermarket and it gives you a little green smiley face if it is ok to eat - its a godsend.

hotelcocoa · 17/02/2023 11:06

The other easy thing to make is 'pastryless' quiche. Just mix for instance eggs, cream, broccoli and stilton and stick in the oven. Having the pastry is nice but it's a faff to make and not essential IMO. Just add a bit of rice on the side for carbs

Tarts are easier as for the crust you just need digestive biscuits and melted butter. Cheese cake, key lime pie, all very easy and yum!

Traybakes with almond flour and home made blueberry jam are delicious and easy too

I'm not sure OP if you will lose loads of weight with our suggestions 🙃

hotelcocoa · 17/02/2023 11:09

hotelcocoa · 17/02/2023 09:36

Schar is good for treats (biscuits, pretzels, etc). Lots of variety and it's reasonably priced given it's imported I believe. Also handy when you travel as it's in most large supermarkets in the EU and elsewhere.

Their bread is not fantastic but ok

Oh and last time I checked, Schar products are also oat-free (I assume they don't include GF oats either as they may want to comply with stricter rules in other parts of the world too)

ZaZathecat · 17/02/2023 11:31

For those who miss Chinese restaurants, Thai is a good alternative. Their curries and sweet &sour are usually gf, and sometimes the chicken satay. Much more choice than Chinese for coeliacs

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