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Gluten-free support for patients/carers
Naturally occurring gluten-free foods
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Potatoes and other root vegetables
Rice, quinoa, buckwheat
Pulses like beans, lentils and chickpeas
All fresh vegetables and fruits
All plain meat, fish, dairy foods, eggs
Nuts and seeds
Cider and wine
(Dietician reviewed, Boots.com)
Where can I buy gluten-free products?
Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Marks & Spencer have their
own ‘Free From’ range.
Morrisons and Asda have pledged a Gluten-free
Guarantee (GfG) making eight staple gluten-free
foods available in all their stores.
For a more extensive list please visit:
https://www.coeliac.org.uk/document-library/126gluten-free-checklist/?return=/gluten-free-diet-andlifestyle/gf-diet/
Other brands to look out for in shops:
 BFree (https://uk.bfreefoods.com/)
 Schar (http://nowinuk.schar.com/)
 Warburtons (www.newburnbakehouse.com/)
 Genius (http://www.geniusglutenfree.com/)
 Udi’s (www.udisglutenfree.co.uk/) and lots
more!
Pharmacists can order pharmacy-only brands such as
Glutafin for you. Please make sure you ask for the
price before placing an order.
Reading food labels
Gluten-free ingredients and substitutions
When buying gluten-free food you should always:
 Look for a “gluten-free” statement
 Look for a “suitable for Coeliacs” statement
 Look for the crossed-grain symbol
 Check the ingredients for wheat, barley and
rye – these should be highlighted or in bold
 Look for “may contain traces of gluten”
 Look for “made on a line handling cereal”
 Look for “made in factory using wheat”
Allergy boxes are being phased out so always crossreference against ingredients.
If you are unsure then contact the manufacturer or
Coeliac UK (Food and Drinks Team).
Gluten-free flours: These include flours made from
rice, soy, chestnut, buckwheat, corn, potato, and
chickpea (gram flour).
Xanthan gum: A powder that greatly aids gluten-free
baking. Xanthan gum, to some extent, replaces the
elastic qualities that gluten-free flours lack.
Gluten-free baking powder: Now widely available in
the baking sections of supermarkets (NB: bicarbonate
of soda is naturally gluten-free).
Pasta and noodles: Rice noodles are gluten-free as
are the varieties of soba noodles made entirely from
buckwheat.
Grains: Use quinoa in the place of couscous or bulgur
wheat for salads and side dishes. If semolina is
needed, you can substitute it with an equivalent
grade (eg. coarse or fine) polenta or ground rice.
*Always check all food labels*
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Gluten-free support for patients/carers
Reviews
Useful Tips
Every year- you should see your GP to:
 measure your height and weight
 review your symptoms
 consider the need for assessment of diet and
adherence to the gluten-free diet
 consider the need for specialist dietetic and
nutritional advice
 discuss vaccinations
Your GP or Consultant may want to do:
 a bone scan
 blood tests
 Always check all food labels
 Adhering to a gluten-free diet will reduce the risk
of long-term complications
 Seek information from healthcare professionals
 Use store locators on supermarket websites to
find your nearest
 Lots of recipes are available online and gluten-free
recipe books can be bought or downloaded
 Contact manufacturers for free samples
 Attend local meetings of the South Hertfordshire
Coeliac Patient Group of Coeliac UK
 Subscribe to newsletters
 Register to Coeliac UK at www.coeliac.org.uk
If you experience any changes to your health always
book an appointment with your GP.
Coeliac UK
Support
The UK's leading charity for people affected by
coeliac disease is Coeliac UK.
Their website (www.coeliac.org.uk) contains a range
of useful resources, including information on glutenfree diets and specific products, as well as the details
of local groups, volunteering and ongoing campaigns.
Download the smartphone app, Coeliac UK-Glutenfree on the Move, it helps those with the condition
manage every element of their diet; whether
shopping for food or finding somewhere to eat out.
The charity also has a telephone helpline on 0333
332 2033 available Monday to Friday (9am - 5pm).
Or, look for them on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
www.facebook.com/CoeliacUK
If you require support please see your community
pharmacist or GP; your GP can refer you to a
dietician or consultant for expert advice.
More information is available on NHS Choices
website to help you learn more about how best to
manage your diet and health. There are sections on
diagnosis, treatment and complications, and a forum
for people to share their experiences and ask
questions.
www.nhs.uk/conditions/coeliac-disease
To contact the local group please email:
[email protected]
Acknowledgements
Coeliac UK
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ICC