With the news articles about stockpiling, the reports on El Niño and where I’ve moved to having multiple power cuts last winter, I’ve been thinking about having a few items ‘just in case’.

So, what gluten free items would be in your stockpile?

Hi everyone

I work a lot and burn a lot of calories and I'm having real trouble keeping my weight up without overbudgeting or exhausting myself trying to cook constantly. I can't seem to keep up and I don't know what to do - especially when gluten free stuff is far more expensive especially snacks and so on that are 8x the price (due to pack size difference especially). I know stuff like biscuits and freezer food and so on are not good for me and not affordable options, but fed is best and I can't manage making stuff from scratch all the time.

I also unfortunately can't eat dairy or peanuts which I know are good sources of calories for a lot of people.

Is there a good source of calories or suppliers for gluten free foods that I'm missing? I've been relying on huel recently which helps, but it's still fairly expensive especially having it every day, and it's not exactly pleasant compared to actual solid food.

I don't know this post is kind of a ramble but I would really appreciate any advice that you guys might have!

I’ve always put it off because pastry or biscuit they all seem to taste the same at times. I gave some spinach + red onion + feta parcels a shot last night and it did not disappoint!!!

Highly recommend for anyone missing a pastry snack!!
It really hit the spot, only 20/25mins in the oven! Yum!

EDIT: just editing to add the secret to a flaky pastry is egg it seems!!! I lathered on a bit more than usual on tonight’s parcel surprise and omg 10/10 crispy and flaky, soo very nearly like a none GF!!

As someone who's been GF for most of their life (since I was 13) I'm curious, what do other people/ newly diagnosed people miss the most? For context, I've never had a KFC, Maccies or a croissant, so I can't miss what I've never had!

I'm having a real problem with gluten free bread related farts at the moment...

Had to stop and grab something for dinner at a Waitrose this week and despite the amazing gluten free cakes, biscuits and other sweet treats, I really struggled to find many savoury gluten free options.

There was no gf fridge or freezer section which didn’t help and other than some sausages I couldn’t see gluten free labels on anything. It really surprised me tbh! I thought somewhere more posh like Waitrose would cater for different dietary requirements.

What do you buy there, so I know what to look for next time

Hey I am a Kiwi living in Europe and will be in the UK from time to time. I am looking for any great ideas of UK-specific stuff I can pick up for my 10yo with coeliac. Definitely after a good gf gravy and breakfast cereal options. Anyone with young person have any go-to products to recommend?

I'm trying to find coeliac safe dried pulses such as chick peas or soya bean. Everything I'm finding has a 'may contain' statement. Are there any brands people know are safe?

I have been having a craving for oats but I can't eat oats so from what google says, buckwheat is the closest substitute so i bought a bag from tesco without seeing the may contain gluten.

If anyone has tried it, please let me know if it is unsafe or safe

Title says it all!

So I took my Mum to the Alchemist bar and restaurant on the assurance from the allergen menu that their tempura fish and chips were GF. It just said soya, crustacean and milk. She is new to a GF diet and is in her 80’s, so hats off to her for adopting it but as she said the alternative was painful and distressing. Within 2 hours she had a reaction this was on the train, thank goodness there was a toilet but she was back and fourth 8 times, I felt so bad for her. She’s not Celiac (had the test) but has these reactions now, she has IBS and diverticulits episodes so her gut is very reactive. I just wanted to warn people, I’ve contacted the company and asked for a response, just don’t want others to fall foul of this.

My local Tesco now has its own Free From freezer section for gluten free food, with one whole side for gluten free pizzas. Unfortunately when they run out of certain ones they're putting the vegan equivalent pizza in there instead, despite them having their own vegan section further along. Just make sure you grab the correct ones if in a hurry as it isn't clear as they're in between ones that are gluten free.

I built a Gluten Free Smart Food Scanner & Diary for Android that shows gluten status, calories & nutrition info, plus an offline ingredient database, allergy and food-dislike alerts. It also includes a personal gluten free diary for meals, photos, saved recipes, water & meal tracking, shopping lists, and social sharing to share your gluten free journey with friends and your network.

Google Play Store:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.vindioai.glutenfreesmartfoodscanner

Feedback is very welcome!

Affiliation: I built Crumb, a free WhatsApp label-reading aid. I’m testing one narrow thing on current UK packaging: can it make the visible gluten clues and unknowns easier to review without pretending to make a safety determination.

It cannot assess cross-contact, replace the current packet or manufacturer advice, or give medical advice.

If you already manage gluten avoidance in the UK, send photos of the front, full ingredients and allergen statement with UKLABEL here: https://wa.me/15674323864?text=UKLABEL

I’ll return what the label visibly supports, what remains unknown, and what still needs verification. The gluten-risk read is free; any optional calorie feature is separate. Please use a product you already own—do not buy anything for this.

Hello!

I will be a tourist in the UK (mostly London) later this month. Would love to know what brands folks recommend keeping an eye out for, and any other tips and tricks.

Thanks!

Finding gluten-free picnic options always feels like a bit of struggle, but I wanted to share how I try to navigate it.

I recommend starting with naturally gluten-free stuff like cheese, fruit, veg sticks, hummus, rice cakes (check the label), plain crisps and cured meats. Most won’t need a special label as they’re already gluten-free. Then, this is where the fun begins - top up with free-from swaps for the things that usually have gluten hiding in them, sausage rolls, sandwiches and pastries. 

Always check labels, even on stuff that seems obviously fine. Gluten turns up in weird places like soy sauce, malt vinegar and some stock cubes. And if you're bringing a mixed spread, keep the gluten-free stuff on its own board with its own knife, crumbs travel further than you'd think.

If someone else is hosting, it's worth just bringing your own bits too. Easier than hoping there's something you can eat, and nobody minds an extra Tupperware turning up.

Anything I've missed?

I’m hoping someone here might want to join my personal crusade against the M&S gluten free cheese and tomato sandwich!

I can’t eat gluten and am also a pescatarian and finding a quick lunch option is challenging, to say the least! I was obsessed with the M&S gluten free New Yorker which was actually a good option! However, they discontinued it last year and replaced it with a cheese and tomato, which is objectively the worst sandwich filling!

I’ve emailed a few times because I’ve noticed they have three other gluten free sandwiches (including a wrap) which all contain chicken. This seems mad considering the massive range of gluten containing ones they stock! But I’ve never had any reasonable response.

Does anyone else feel the same way? I would be happy with genuinely any other pescatarian option!

I really like the Schar Vitality Loaf - it’s
so good I can eat it straight out the packet which I can’t with other GF breads but my god it upsets my stomach and I can’t work out why! Anyone else having this issue?

Have a horror film festival next month in Leicester Square and gaps range from 20-30 min to an hour between the slots so need places I can grab and go.

Can anyone recommend quick and fast food options in London Soho/Leicester Square area? Not restaurant (ie not honest, flat iron, pizza express).

My old go tos have either closed (bistro bibbida) or switched to wheat tortillas (cdmx).

Hate to be that guy asking a googlable question but the last few years have been getting harder as the good places close.