In November 2003 I was diagnosed with coeliac disease - an allergy to gluten (a protein found in wheat, rye, barley and oats).
The treatment for this is to follow a strict gluten-free diet for life. This has not been easy, so I have collected together things/places that I have found helpful (or not!).
Resources
UK Coeliac Society - For information, help and the essential food and drink directory.
Gluten Free Message Board - This seems to be UK based and is a useful source of information
Eating out
Wagamama - A Japanese restaurant chain - the website has a printable list of the things you can eat for various allergies/diets. You don't need to book ahead - just tell the staff (I always take the printout with me), they are really helpful and don't make you feel like a freak :) (So far I have only visited the Kingston branch).
La Tasca - a Tapas chain. Their menus show which items are gluten free. They have a good vegetarian selection, the food is delicious and they were extremely helpful!
Harry Hares in Cirencester managed to feed me for our office Christmas dinner last year with no ill effects.
Marks and Spencer Cafe Revive - large and delicious choc chunk muffins (look exactly the same as the 'real' version!)
Waitrose Cafe (in Cheltenham) had a selection of 5 (yes a selection!) different gluten free things - I chose the banana cake which was delicious.
Boo to Debenhams Cafe in Reading - a gluten free cake option was available, but was displayed on a plateful of suspicious crumbs!
Breadmaker - I now have a Morphy Richards breadmaker! Using the Glutafin Select Fibre Bread mix I can produce a loaf so large the slices only just fit in my sandwich box! Real bread at last and the prospect of salad sandwiches next summer!
Last updated Saturday 29 January 2005
Design and all images © Helen Carruthers 2003-2005