Showing posts with label Gluten. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gluten. Show all posts

Tuesday, April 26, 2022

Coeliac UK Awareness Week 2022

Dates for your diary: Coeliac UK Awareness Week 2022 - 9th-15th May.


Coeliac UK Awareness Week 2022

This year Coeliac Awareness Week runs from the 9th to the 15th May.

Coeliac UK's mission is to raise awareness of this serious autoimmune disease that affects 1 in 100 people.

Coeliac Disease ('Celiac' in the USA and Canada) is a lifelong autoimmune condition, where the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue. In Coeliac Disease the immune system mistakes substances found inside gluten as a threat to the body and attacks them. This can trigger a number of painful, horrible, stressful and uncomfortable symptoms.

Living a gluten free life

Having suffered from a range of symptoms for around ten years I finally received a positive diagnosis of Coeliac Disease following some 'interesting' and in-depth tests and procedures in 2008. It came as a relief to finally have a name for the mysterious cause of my illnesses and ailments, but at the time I was only given a brief summary and told that I'd have to "cut down on bread and beer". It was only later when I met with a Gastroenterologist and a dietitian that I found out that the only treatment for people with Coeliac Disease is a strict, life-long gluten free diet.

While having a life-long condition such as Coeliac Disease can be a pain - and horrible if I 'get glutened' - having the disease has had some positives. I've met great people since my diagnosis and have made some brilliant friends who I've met through Coeliac groups. I've also blogged a lot about living with the condition and the great 'free from' food & drink I've found since 2008.

Key Facts about Coeliac Disease

  • Coeliac disease is an autoimmune condition, not an allergy.
  • If a close relative (e.g. parent) is diagnosed, your chance of having it is 1 in 10.
  • Many people can now be diagnosed with two blood tests.
  • Gluten must remain in the diet until diagnosis.

Symptoms and diagnosis

Anyone with symptoms should go to isitcoeliacdisease.org.uk to see if they should be tested.

Symptoms may include:
  • Severe or occasional diarrhoea, excessive wind and/or constipation.
  • Persistent or unexplained nausea and vomiting.
  • Recurrent stomach pain, cramping or bloating.
  • Any combination of iron, vitamin B12 or folic acid deficiency.
  • Anaemia.
  • Tiredness.
  • Sudden or unexpected weight loss (but not in all cases).
  • Mouth ulcers.
  • Skin rash (dermatitis herpetiformis).
  • Tooth enamel problems.
  • Liver abnormalities.
  • Unexplained subfertility.
  • Repeated miscarriages.
  • Neurological (nerve) problems such as Ataxia (loss of coordination, poor balance and peripheral neuropathy (numbness and tingling in the hands and feet).

About Coeliac UK

Coeliac UK is the national charity for everyone who needs to live gluten free. It's work began in 1968 and it is a totally independent organisation with no government funding.

Coeliac UK strives for better diagnosis, care and treatment, plus safer gluten free food in more places.

Visit the Coeliac UK website for more information.

Coeliac UK Awareness Week 2022

Sunday, May 16, 2021

International Coeliac Day

Today is International Coeliac Day.


International Coeliac Day

About Coeliac Disease

Coeliac Disease (Celiac in the US and Canada) is a lifelong autoimmune disease caused by intolerance to gluten and the only treatment is to adhere to a strict lifelong gluten free diet.

In the UK it's estimated that 1 in 100 people have the condition.

Living a gluten free life

Having suffered from a range of symptoms for around ten years I finally received a positive diagnosis of Coeliac Disease following some 'interesting' and in-depth tests and procedures in 2008. It came as a relief to finally have a name for the mysterious cause of my illnesses and ailments, but at the time I was only given a brief summary and told that I'd have to "cut down on bread and beer". It was only later when I met with a Gastroenterologist and a dietitian that I found out that the only treatment for people with Coeliac Disease is a strict, life-long gluten free diet.

Coeliac Awareness

The month of May is Celiac Awareness Month and this week has been Coeliac UK Awareness Week.

Saturday, May 01, 2021

May is Celiac Awareness Month

This month is Celiac Awareness Month.


Celiac Awareness Month

Coeliac Disease (Celiac in the US and Canada) is a lifelong autoimmune disease caused by intolerance to gluten and the only treatment is to adhere to a strict lifelong gluten free diet.

In the UK it's estimated that 1 in 100 people have the condition, in the USA the figure is 1 in 133.

Visit the Beyond Celiac website for more information.

Living a gluten free life

Having suffered from a range of symptoms for around ten years I finally received a positive diagnosis of Coeliac Disease following some 'interesting' and in-depth tests and procedures in 2008. It came as a relief to finally have a name for the mysterious cause of my illnesses and ailments, but at the time I was only given a brief summary and told that I'd have to "cut down on bread and beer". It was only later when I met with a Gastroenterologist and a dietitian that I found out that the only treatment for people with Coeliac Disease is a strict, life-long gluten free diet.

Coeliac awareness dates

The month of May is Celiac Awareness Month, International Coeliac Day is on Sunday 16th May and Coeliac UK Awareness Week runs from the 10th to the 16th May.

Saturday, May 16, 2020

International Coeliac Day

Today is International Coeliac Day.


Today is International Coeliac Day

Other important dates for your gluten free diary:

  • May is Celiac Awareness Month.
  • In the UK Coeliac Awareness Week 2020 (aka Gluten Free Community Week) runs from the 11th to the 17th May.
  • International Coeliac Day is on Saturday 16th May.
  • National Celiac Disease Awareness Day is on the 13th September this year.
  • The week before Christmas is Gluten Free Baking Week.


About Coeliac Disease


Coeliac Disease (Celiac in the US and Canada) is a lifelong autoimmune disease caused by intolerance to gluten and the only treatment is to adhere to a strict lifelong gluten free diet.

In the UK it's estimated that 1 in 100 people have the condition.

Monday, May 11, 2020

Coeliac Awareness Week, aka Gluten Free Community Week


This week is UK Coeliac Awareness Week, aka Gluten Free Community Week.



This week is Coeliac Awareness Week, aka Gluten Free Community Week

Gluten Free Community Week runs from the 11th to the 17th May.

Other important dates for your gluten free diary:


  • May is Celiac Awareness Month.
  • International Coeliac Day is on Saturday 16th May.
  • National Celiac Disease Awareness Day is on the 13th September this year.
  • The week before Christmas is Gluten Free Baking Week.


About Coeliac Disease


Coeliac Disease (Celiac in the US and Canada) is a lifelong autoimmune disease caused by intolerance to gluten and the only treatment is to adhere to a strict lifelong gluten free diet.

In the UK it's estimated that 1 in 100 people have the condition.

My Coeliacversary


I was diagnosed with Coeliac Disease in June 2008.

Having suffered from a range of symptoms for around ten years I finally received a positive diagnosis of Coeliac Disease following some 'interesting' and in-depth tests and procedures in 2008. It came as a relief to finally have a name for the mysterious cause of my illnesses and ailments, but at the time I was only given a brief summary and told that I'd have to "cut down on bread and beer". It was only later when I met with a Gastroenterologist and a dietitian that I found out that the only treatment for people with Coeliac Disease is a strict, life-long gluten free diet.

While having a life-long condition such as Coeliac Disease can be a pain - and horrible if I 'get glutened' - having the disease has had some positives. I've met great people since my diagnosis and have made some brilliant friends who I've met through Coeliac groups. I've also blogged a lot about living with the condition and the great free from food and drink I've found since 2008.

Tuesday, May 05, 2020

Gluten free and not gluten free

The problems of being a Coeliac.


I was reminded of some great merchandising of Gluten and Gluten Free food products today. They were placed dangerously side-by-side in a natural foods shop in Kentish Town, London back in 2011.

Gluten Free Vegetable Suet and Gluten
Don't get these two mixed up!

The month of May is Celiac Awareness Month, next week is Coeliac Awareness Week in the UK, while International Coeliac Day is on Saturday 16th May.

Related blog posts:
- Coeliac Problems
- Funny things about being a Coeliac

Friday, May 01, 2020

May is Celiac Awareness Month

This month is Celiac Awareness Month.


Coeliac Awareness

Coeliac Disease (Celiac in the US and Canada) is a lifelong autoimmune disease caused by intolerance to gluten and the only treatment is to adhere to a strict lifelong gluten free diet.


In the UK it's estimated that 1 in 100 people have the condition, in the USA the figure is 1 in 133.


It's important to know and remember that Celiac/Coeliac is NOT an allergy, it's NOT a preference, it's NOT a fad, it's NOT a diet, it's NOT an intolerance, it's NOT a choice - it's an AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE.

Visit the Beyond Celiac website for more information.

In the UK Coeliac Awareness Week 2020 (aka Gluten Free Community Week) runs from the 11th to the 17th May.

International Coeliac Day is on Saturday 16th May.

National Celiac Disease Awareness Day is on the 13th September this year.

The week before Christmas is Gluten Free Baking Week.

This year marks my 12th year living gluten free. I was diagnosed with Coeliac Disease in June 2008.

Check out my gluten free, celiac and coeliac disease blog posts.

Luckily I've found some 100% gluten free places that are safe for people with Coeliac Disease. I'm really looking forward to visiting them again once the coronavirus pandemic is over.

Wednesday, April 08, 2020

Dates for your (gluten free) diary

National Coeliac awareness days, weeks and months in 2020.


Coeliac Disease Awareness

Upcoming important dates for your (gluten free) diary:

  • May is Celiac Awareness Month.
  • In the UK Coeliac Awareness Week 2020 (aka Gluten Free Community Week) runs from the 11th to the 17th May.
  • International Coeliac Day is on Saturday 16th May.
  • National Celiac Disease Awareness Day is on the 13th September this year.
  • The week before Christmas is Gluten Free Baking Week.


Coeliac Disease (Celiac in the US and Canada) is a lifelong autoimmune disease caused by intolerance to gluten and the only treatment is to adhere to a strict lifelong gluten free diet.

In the UK it's estimated that 1 in 100 people have the condition.

Monday, March 16, 2020

Fried Round Gluten - my kryptonite!

Spotting a new glutenous product to avoid.


As someone with the autoimmune condition Coeliac Disease I MUST avoid gluten at all costs.


While at Bolton Market on Saturday Emily spotted a bag of my kryptonite!


Fried Round Gluten
I wonder what Fried Round Gluten tastes like? I'll never know

I've also seen Fried Gluten in a can and Roasted Gluten before.

Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye, barley and oats. For people with Coeliac Disease gluten is a very dangerous substance that causes all manner of health problems. Check out the Coeliac UK website for more information.

Wednesday, January 29, 2020

When eating gluten-free isn’t a choice - This Is MedTech

When eating gluten-free isn’t a choice


Champion miniature golfer Richard Gottfried spent years feeling ill before he discovered that he had coeliac disease and gradually regained his health.


Believing he had a common digestive disorder called irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Richard took IBS medication to ease his symptoms, which included bloating, vomiting, diarrhoea and severe lethargy. However, he was unaware of the real cause: gluten-containing foods. When he continued to feel ill, he thought he just had to put up with it. “When I look back, I can’t believe I lived so long eating what I did,” remembers Richard, who would often avoid food altogether because he didn’t want to be sick.

“I was so thin but bloated, so I looked like I’d been eating all day long. Often I would only have a bowl of corn flakes for breakfast, be violently ill, and then not eat anything else for the rest of the day,” he tells This Is MedTech. After several years Richard’s condition became progressively worse until he felt so ill that he went back to the doctor.

“I had a thorough check, including a blood test, an endoscopy and a sigmoidoscopy,” he says. This led to a diagnosis of coeliac disease as well as a wheat allergy. “I was referred to a gastroenterologist and a dietician, and that’s when I finally began to understand the impact and implications of my diagnosis.”

I need to be gluten free, not a glutton (or any number of other misspellings of gluten)

According to Coeliac UK, coeliac (pronounced see-liac) disease affects at least 1 in 100 people in the UK and Europe, but only 30% of people with the condition are currently clinically diagnosed. It’s a genetic autoimmune disease that’s triggered by eating gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley and rye. It’s not a food allergy or intolerance, or IBS. For people with coeliac disease, eating gluten damages the lining of the gut, which prevents normal digestion and absorption of food. Serious health problems can be associated with coeliac disease including osteoporosis, cancer of the small bowel and increased risk of other autoimmune diseases.

There is no cure for the condition and the only treatment is a strict gluten-free diet for life. “It can be a real drain both mentally and physically, but you have to stay as positive as possible,” comments Richard, who hasn’t wavered from his gluten-free regime in the decade since his diagnosis. “Once you’re on a gluten-free diet, it can take years for your body to recover. I’ve only just started putting on weight again in the past couple of years. Still, there’s always a risk that you’ll be ‘glutened’ which can set you back days or weeks.”

Richard says Coeliac UK and his local coeliac group were extremely helpful, especially in the beginning. “Back then, there weren’t really gluten-free options in supermarkets. The coeliac groups gave me tips on gluten-free food, cooking, storage, places to shop, etc. They also held dinners and other events, and I made some good friends. We still go out together.”

There are only a handful of 100% gluten-free restaurants in the UK, so one of Richard’s aims is to increase that number by talking about it on his blog. “We recently went out to a 100% gluten-free pub in Cambridgeshire, and it was so nice to be able to go out and feel normal.”

Having a superb 100% gluten free meal at The Oxford Place in Leeds
Having a superb 100% gluten free meal at The Oxford Place in Leeds

He also believes it’s important to raise awareness about coeliac disease by talking openly about it, as people can be embarrassed to discuss their symptoms. “You’ll never get well if you don’t go to the doctor,” he points out. “Diagnosis is the first step. Once you know what’s wrong, you can start tackling it.”

Interview by Karen Finn for This Is MedTech, January 2019.

Link:
- This Is MedTech

Related blog posts:
- Coeliac Disease
- Gluten Free

Wednesday, January 30, 2019

When eating gluten-free isn’t a choice

Check out a case study about my Coeliac Disease journey on the This is MedTech website.

It's nice to do my bit to raise awareness of Coeliac Disease and the importance of getting a diagnosis.

Richard Gottfried - gluten free
I'm gluten free, not a glutton (or any number of other misspellings of gluten)

Link:
- This is MedTech

Related blog posts:
- Coeliac Disease
- Gluten Free
- Coeliacversary

Sunday, November 18, 2018

A Gluten Free Buffet

A sorry sight indeed.

A Gluten Free Buffet
Yum

I suppose it's better than nothing. Good to see the rolls in separate packaging.

Related blog posts:
- Coeliac Disease
- Gluten Free
- Funny things about being a coeliac

Friday, June 01, 2018

Roasted Gluten

Many 'thanks' to my mate Paul O'Connor for sending me this snap of a bag of Roasted Gluten he spotted in a Chinese supermarket.

As a Coeliac this is my version of Kryptonite!

Roasted Gluten. Photo by Paul O'Connor, May 2018
They look like croutons to me

It's not the first time Paul has documented his gluten discoveries.

Related blog posts:

- Fried Gluten in a Can
- Gluten - my Kryptonite

Friday, May 11, 2018

Coeliac UK Awareness Week

Coeliac UK’s Awareness Week starts on Monday 14th May.


Coeliac Disease is a lifelong autoimmune condition, where the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue. In Coeliac Disease, the immune system mistakes substances found inside gluten as a threat to the body and attacks them. This can trigger a number of painful, stressful and uncomfortable symptoms.

Next month is my tenth year gluten free. Any suggestions for how I can celebrate my Coeliacversary?

My life as a Coeliac in LEGO form
My life as a Coeliac in LEGO form

Having suffered from a range of symptoms for around ten years I finally received a positive diagnosis of Coeliac Disease following some 'interesting' tests and procedures in 2008. It came as a relief to finally have a name for the mysterious cause of my illnesses and ailments, but at the time I was only given a brief summary and told that I'd have to "cut down on bread and beer". It was only later when I met with my Gastroenterologist and a dietitian that I found out that the only treatment for people with Coeliac Disease is a strict, life-long gluten free diet.

Coeliac Richard Gottfried
There's no sign of gluten in me

For more information about Coeliac Disease and Coeliac UK's Awareness Week visit the Coeliac UK website.

May is Celiac Awareness Month in the USA.

Monday, December 11, 2017

98% gluten free

If something is 98% gluten free it's 100% useless to me.

The American Diner in Felixstowe is 98% gluten free
What a peculiar percentage to opt for, I wonder who their target market is?

Sadly there are very few 100% gluten free places for Coeliac diners. Cross-contamination with gluten containing food means that even 99% gluten free places are a big risk for people with Coeliac Disease.

The American Diner in Felixstowe is 98% gluten free
I've just noticed there's also a "98% GF" sticker on the door too

Thanks to Jo Tubby for the tip-off about the sign.

Friday, March 03, 2017

New Free From range at Morrisons

Morrisons launches new Free From products.


Towards the end of last month Morrisons expanded its range of Free From products and the news sent ripples of excitement through the Coeliac and Gluten Free communities. I was particularly excited to hear that there were going to be new Curly Fries in the range, along with a number of other sweet and savoury treats.

The Curly Fries and Mini Hash Browns are only £1 a bag. Bargain
The Curly Fries and Mini Hash Browns are only £1 a bag. Bargain

The updated branding, word of mouth buzz and excitement and the promise of new gluten and wheat free products at Morrisons means I've been spending a lot more time (and money) at my local store in Cheadle Heath. Much of the last two weeks has been spent keeping an eye out for the Curly Fries and Hash Browns. Luckily I managed to track some down on my dinner break today. I know what I'll be having for tea tonight!

The freezer section in Morrisons has a number of new Free From products
The freezer section has a number of new Free From products

Looking in the Free From section I noticed a number of other gluten free products from brands outside of the Morrisons own-brand range, which is great to see.

A selection of the new gluten free cereals in the Free From section at Morrisons in Cheadle Heath, Stockport
A selection of the new gluten free cereals in the Free From section at Morrisons

Last year Morrisons expanded the range of Free From products available in store and so it's brilliant they are continuing to provide products that are safe and suitable for people with allergies, intolerances and autoimmune diseases (such as Coeliac Disease).

Check out the Morrisons website for details of their Free From range.

Related blog posts:
- Morrisons
- Gluten Free
- Coeliac

Link:
- Morrisons

Friday, November 18, 2016

100% gluten free places in the UK

There are 100% gluten free places to eat in the UK.


As someone living with Coeliac Disease I am extremely careful about what I eat and drink. Since I was diagnosed in 2008 I haven't knowlingly consumed anything containing gluten. However, I have been 'glutened' while dining out and the effects can be horrific and long lasting. So, I'm always looking for safe and suitable 100% gluten free places to eat at while travelling around the UK.

Before diagnosis I was a very adventurous diner and willing to try all manner of food and drink. Emily and I would enjoy visiting lots of different restaurants and takeaways. Nowadays Emily either dines while I watch, or has to wait to visit a place with friends or family to give it a try.

Gluten free meal at 2 Oxford Place in Leeds
An incredibly rare sighting of us both dining out at the same time

At one of our last meals out together - way back in May - I was glutened. Since then dining out together has been very limited. While dining at home is safe and we do cook up some magnificent food (and great cocktails), we do miss having the whole meal experience. I am now looking to eat at places that are 100% gluten free and safe for Coeliacs. If it's not, I'll vote with my wallet and go elsewhere (or go hungry).

With my approach to tackling the problem of dining out safely I was incredibly pleased when fellow Coeliac and writer Caroline at the Coeliac Plate website let me know about a series of lists she has put together detailing the 100% gluten free places in the UK! It's absolutely marvellous to see.

One of my favourite places to eat is at 2 Oxford Place in Leeds. The fact that the restaurant is 100% gluten free and safe for Coeliacs is a real weight off the mind. To be able to visit a restaurant and not be on edge from the start is great. On the occasions I've dined there it's been brilliant. Just little things like NOT having to explain to the waiting staff that I have a medical condition before ordering, or asking to see a 'special' menu, makes a BIG difference.

When dining in a 'normal' restaurant that is trying to offer gluten free options cross contamination is possible. If eating there I can spend the whole time worrying about what could've happened to the meal I'm about to eat/am eating/have eaten. It doesn't make for a very pleasant or 'normal' experience and can often feel like the money has been wasted.

So do check out the Coeliac Plate website for more information and the links below for the 100% gluten free lists.

- UK 100% gluten free venues
- UK 100% gluten free – Northern England

Caroline tweeted me about her lists after I'd posted a tweet to fellow gluten free blogger Katie Bucknell asking about gluten free places in Manchester. Katie provided some good tips. Check out her website too.

Related blog posts:
- Gluten free
- Coeliac

Links:
- The Coeliac Plate website
- Katie Bucknell's website

Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Celiac Awareness Day 2015

Celiac Awareness Day is on 13 September.

The National Foundation for Celiac Awareness (NFCA) is the group behind Celiac Awareness Day, taking place on Sunday 13 September.

Coeliac Disease (Celiac in the US and Canada) is a lifelong autoimmune disease caused by intolerance to gluten and the only treatment is to adhere to a strict lifelong gluten free diet.

In the UK it's estimated that 1 in 100 people have the condition, in the USA the figure is 1 in 133.

It's important to know and remember that Celiac/Coeliac is NOT an allergy, it's NOT a preference, it's NOT a fad, it's NOT a diet, it's NOT an intolerance, it's NOT a choice - it's an AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE.

Richard Gottfried - Coeliac. Living gluten free since May 2008
I've been a Coeliac (and a Celiac when in the US) since May 2008

Visit the Celiac Central website for more information on their work and Celiac Awareness Day.


In the UK, Coeliac Awareness Week is taking place from 11 to 17 May. For more information check out the Coeliac UK website and the Awareness Week page. Last year I was Minigolfing gluten free in Margate during Coeliac Awareness Week.

Related blog posts:
- Read my Gluten Free Journey blog on the Udi's gluten free website
- Celiac Awareness Day 2014
- Coeliac UK Awareness Week 2014 and the Gluten-free guarantee
- Minigolfing gluten free in Margate
- What a Day, Week and Month! (2013)
Gluten Free
Coeliac
- Funny things about being a Coeliac

Links:
National Foundation for Celiac Awareness (NFCA) / Celiac Central
Coeliac UK

Saturday, July 04, 2015

The London Allergy and Free From Show 2015

A review of the The London Allergy and Free From Show 2015.

On Friday 3rd July I travelled to Olympia for the London Allergy and Free From Show. Last year was my first time visiting the event and I was interested to see what new products would be on show.

I was pleased to see some new gluten and wheat free ice creams available. On our recent two-week holiday around the south west coast of England I had only managed to find suitable ice cream tubs in two places! Fingers crossed the ice creams from Sweet Rebellion and Jollyum get stocked in more places as they were very tasty.

The Jollyum gluten free Ice Creams were very nice
The Jollyum Ice Creams were very nice

Earlier this year Emily visited Spain and brought me back some Sin Gluten goodies and so it was nice to see the team from Esgir at the show with their range of five gluten and wheat free products that are suitable for Coeliacs. I was so impressed that I bought some of the products.

A good haul from Esgir. I bought one of each of the products that include gluten free croutons, crunchy crumbs and choco snack sticks
A good haul from Esgir. I bought one of each of the products that include gluten free croutons, crunchy crumbs and choco snack sticks

I spotted some new gluten free beers from exhibitors including Estrella Damm Daura (with their new Märzen variety), the Wellington Bomber Porter beer from Glebe Farm, Outlook by Stringer's, and Hepworth & Co. While Green's have updated and refreshed its branding. I also got to try CELIA Lager's new Dark variety. Very nice it was too.

The brand new Märzen gluten free beer from Estrella Damm Daura. It tasted great
The brand new Märzen gluten free beer from Estrella Damm Daura. It tasted great

CELIA Dark was very nice. Martin from CELIA tells me it's a great beer to accompany autumn and winter meals too
CELIA Dark was very nice. Martin from CELIA tells me it's a great beer to accompany autumn and winter meals too

The updated branding on the Green's Gluten Free Beers range
The updated branding on the Green's Gluten Free Beers range

I enjoyed the new gluten free Wellington Bomber Porter from Glebe Farm
I enjoyed the new Wellington Bomber Porter from Glebe Farm

Check out my compilation blog post on all the gluten free beers, ales and lagers I've found since I was diagnosed with Coeliac Disease (the list currently stands at 89!).

Stringer's Outlook gluten free ale, one of the GF beers I'm yet to try
Stringer's Outlook gluten free ale, one of the GF beers I'm yet to try

It was also good speaking with the team from Can I Eat There? and finding out more about their allergy and intolerance aware restaurant listings and review website.

I did feel that too many of the exhibitors at the event were trying to sell sell sell, rather than doing something a bit different to engage with the audience. The show offers from Esgir were very good, while many other stalls were selling at not much less than a supermarket price. Couple this with the fact that it was baking hot, and while in London people may not want to carry around lots of shopping (including raw meat, or frozen products) so it would be really nice to see the brands trying something new.

Another thought is that because the show is catering to so many different audiences (all with their own varied needs - some lifestyle, some medical) there will be some clashes. This was evident in some of the exhibitors who I know have products that are not suitable for Coeliacs due to manufacturing processes and/or potential cross-contamination - but are labelled as gluten and wheat free. I think that if you're going to offer gluten and wheat free you should go 100%. No half-measures. Granted, there are people with wheat intolerance and non-Coeliac Gluten Sensitivity etc. who may be fine after consuming these products, but there is a larger proportion who won't be. It leaves a Coeliac like myself with a bitter taste, to be tempted with GF & WF packaging, only to be let down when reading the small print.

As a 'veteran' Coeliac I check, double check and then check again before I take a bite or a sip of anything. Having been glutened on a number of occasions I know it's not worth the risk, so I hope some of the rookie Coeliacs at the show didn't make any errors, or get carried away, in their sampling.

The next food fair I'll be visiting is the Home Counties Gluten Free Food Fair organised by the Herts & Mid Beds Coeliac UK Volunteer Group. Hopefully there'll be lots of new and interesting gluten and wheat free products on show and to sample there.

To round off a very pleasant day in London Emily and I had another brilliant gluten free meal at Honest Burgers.

Check out the Allergy Show London website for more information on the event.

Related blog posts:
Gluten Free
Coeliac
Funny things about being a Coeliac
- Home Counties Gluten Free Food Fair 2015
- The Allergy and Free From Show 2014 at Olympia
- Sin Gluten
- Gluten free beer

Links:
- Allergy Show London
Coeliac UK

Monday, June 29, 2015

Fried Gluten

Fried Gluten in a Can

While shopping in Ipswich I spotted a couple of tins of 'Coeliac Kryptonite' lurking on a shelf.

Vegetarian Duck-Style Dish - made with fried gluten
Vegetarian Duck-Style Dish - made with fried gluten. Mmmmmm

Vegetarian Chicken-Style Dish - made with fried gluten
It comes in Chicken-style flavour too

Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye, oats and barley. For people with Coeliac Disease gluten is a very dangerous substance that causes all manner of health problems. Check out the Coeliac UK website for more information on Coeliac Disease.

Related blog posts:
- Gluten - my Kryptonite
Hmm, Some Bizarre Gluten & Gluten Free Shelf Stacking!
Funny things about being a Coeliac
Gluten Free
Coeliac