Sunday 20 February 2011

One step closer to being normal!

Warburton's must be commended for bringing out a new range of gluten free bread. I enjoyed their wholemeal slice brown loaf for toast this morning and it was up there with the best of the rest (plus it doesn't contain any millet or buckwheat for anyone who can't tolerate those grains either). I was also treated to dinner at Carluccio's last week where they now have a separate gluten free menu with a whole section for their own brand of gluten-free corn pasta!

Every time I see a new gluten free range appear it makes me feel like one day we'll get to the point where following a gluten-free (or dairy free diet) won't be strange and might even be the norm. Companies such as Warburton's and Carluccio's wouldn't be launching a gluten free range if there wasn't the demand for it so I'm guessing alot of people are cottoning on to the fact that wheat really isn't that good for you.

Gluten can be harsh on the digestive system and is one of the more common allergens so it's definitely worth trying a couple of weeks without it to see how you feel. If you do decide to go gluten free it's so much easier now than it used to be. When I first gave it up 6 years ago all that was available was gloopy pasta and bread that crumbled as soon as you picked it up ... so I just stuck to eating naturally gluten free foods. Now you can have a sandwich lunch, a full high tea or enjoy pasta to your hearts content, with foods that actually taste nice!

I don't recommend going too crazy on the gluten free substitutes, particularly the breads, as they are still processed foods and there are lots of great naturally gluten free foods out there, but they do make gluten-free living a hell of a lot easier, especially if you have to eat on the run.

My favourite gluten free substitutes are:
Tesco gluten-free pita bread
Tesco gluten-free brown rolls
Warburton's gluten free brown sliced bread
Honest brown bread
Livwell gluten free hot cross buns for an Easter treat
Dietary Specials corn pasta, corn spaghetti and lasagne sheets
Neal's Yard Gluten free muesli
Costa Coffee gluten-free chocolate brownie for a bit of indulgence (sadly not dairy free)

Full details of the Warburton's range:
http://www.glutenandwheatfree.co.uk/our_range/our_range.html

Carluccio's Gluten free menu:
http://www.carluccios.com/menus/menus/valentines-menu/CA468_GlutenFreeMenu_131210_V4%20FINAL.pdf

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