Any coeliacs here?

[StopInvolvingMe]

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!

There are a few Chinese restaurants that cater for coeliacs. It’s luck where you live though.

Id get a pile of stickers and get used to putting them on the GF spreads etc to make sure they aren’t used.

I think you just need to make sure you are very aware when you might use a shared item, like a block of cheese, that you have clean hands, are cutting it in a clean area with a clean knife and putting it away before you get some ‘normal’ bread out. It becomes second nature.

The CUK app is handy when first diagnosed, but extremely limiting if you're still using it after 6 months.

After seven years the biggest issue for us is wider family and friends kindly cooking GF food but not understanding cross-contamination, the idea that a crumb of gluten is dangerous.

@hotelcocoa Waitrose- in fresh from a brand called Yorkshire pudding if o remember correctly

@hotelcocoa Yep Bills, Wagamama and cote are all good options- luckily we've got all 3 here. Even the Ivy chain do a nice half chicken with mushroom sauce thing that's GF - you are right about Chinese though-

Wow! The Ivy! I wish I could afford that kind of luxury more often 😁

Yes, it's difficult. You don't want to upset them but can't eat the food they've gone to a lot of trouble to cook for you!

After many years they have finally understood that it's best for them not to bother and I just take my own.

For an easy treat some of the Charlie Bighams are gluten free. Check though, it's not all of them.

@hotelcocoa usually go when my FIL is paying! However the chicken thing is £18 so not bad and worth it with a side of mash.

A lot of Indian food in restaurants is gluten free except for naan bread. Most ready meal curries from various supermarkets are gluten free, although you will have to discard the naans from the 'boxed versions' and sometimes also the onion bhaaji (these vary). Pataks jar sauces and poppodums are gf.

@Mumski45 I can't remember the name.of the bread. It's the craft tiger loaf or sourdough we buy, not the warburtons. It's generally on the top shelf of the GF bit. About £ 4 a loaf so we slice it and freeze half at least. She can cope with warburtons but nimble tastes like grass she says.... love the white rabbit meals they have too. Normally pop in and buy them at the end of the day when they are reduced and freeze. Not tried the cafe tbh.

It's still sold at Morrisons. Bought one a couple of weeks ago.

For a treat: Nigella's olive oil cake www.nigella.com/recipes/chocolate-olive-oil-cake Always my DH's request for his birthday. Messy but easy - just be patient when cooking; cover lightly with foil about half way through - depending on your oven, it can take almost an hour. Keep testing; it's done when a fine knife or toothpick comes out almost clean.

Also, as previous poster said, buckwheat pancakes.
Fancy recipe here: www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/buckwheat_pancakes_with_39810

Alternatively, I just substitute buckwheat flour for ordinary flour. Add an egg and some milk or just some water, beat until texture is like cream, add caraway seeds if liked. Then fry (best in tiny mini-pancakes) in merest smear of olive oil for approx 1-2 min each side. Delish with cheese, hummus, sour cream, aubergine 'caviar', smoked salmon etc etc.

I've not found a good GF bread, they're all horrible. The best of the bunch is from a local bakery, so iwould suggest looking somewhere like that. They're almost all better toasted as well they're not really any good for sandwiches. I just don't eat it anymore, it's not worth the money, or disappointment!

My DH was diagnosed about six years ago and it honestly used to take me about 3 hours to do the weekly shop. You very quickly get used to it though.
Lots of jar sauces are actually ok, I make curry using Patak’s sauce and poppadoms, Dolmio pasta sauces are fine, Homepride Chilli con carne one is fine and that’s just off the top of my head.
I still make stew and dumplings I just use a GF plain flour and Morrisons own brand vegetable suet instead of Atora.
We don’t actually buy much from the free from aisle; just bread, pasta, biscuits and beer in a typical week.
Becky Excell’s website and books are excellent.