Why is gluten free food so expensive?

soolin

What chocolate cake mix am I looking for on Approved foods BTW..have they sold out I can't find it...

Kelticfox

Yeah unfortunatly AF have sold out of Chocolate Cake Mixes.

You can buy them from Tesco's for £2.39 though (Dietary Specials. Has and orange box).
Good for a treat (as it will make 8" wide by 2" deep Sponge cake with ease), as it can be easily converted into other recipes such as Black Forest Gateau.

wendym

soolin wrote: »

What chocolate cake mix am I looking for on Approved foods BTW..have they sold out I can't find it...

Everything at Approved foods sells out very quickly, but they often restock. If you click on Deals, then New Lines, you can search for items added within the last 1, 2 etc days, and spot things as they're listed on the site. The brand they have most often is Trufree.

Fire_Fox

Anyone who thinks they have an intolerance to gluten (NOT coeliac disease) have you tried a course of Acidophilis (friendly bacteria) capsules? I have had success with several clients, including myself, at reducing the abdominal bloating and pain that can follow eating wheat. You would need to take a course and try to avoid large quantities of wheat during this time, then return to wholegrain wheat only in limited amounts. Don't bother with the little drinks for friendly bacteria, they don't contain anywhere near the level of the capsules. You can also try a course of high strength fish oil capsules as omega 3 has been shown to reduce the symptoms of IBS, thought to be due to it's anti-inflammatory properties.

juno

Asda do gluten free pink wafers and they are amazing! They also do yummy almond cake slices, and chocolate caramel squares. I haven't tried the pitta bread yet.

paulwf

soolin wrote: »

Spelt has a higher than normal gluten content and it is the reactive gluten that makes it a good sturdy flour and is absolutely deadly to coeliacs.
http://nutrition.about.com/od/grainsandcereals/p/spelt.htm

I can't see any reliable sources claiming it is higher in gluten, some sources claim it is lower (I'm happy to be corrected if you have a more trusted source of course). You are correct though it is not suitable for coeliacs.

You're right I should amend what I was trying to say; in some cases it might be more suitable for those with certain *wheat* allergies (not specific gluten allergies) as some of the proteins it contains are easier to digest.

It still stands that modern crops and in turn modern flours that have been highly selectively bred are a lot different to ancient varieties...that and the fact in the UK we get through a huge amount of flour based products probably has an effect on intolerance rates.

Cantbeatabargain

My DD who is 5 has a severe allergy to wheat and its a nightmare... we went down the school dinner route and it was a nightmare - so now on packed lunch.... have found bread which she loves.... the new Genius one in Tesco... which is fab as we can now make sarnies for her..... we find parties really hard - looked on the Approved food website and they had some fab things on - I put a few in my basket - about £5 worth but it said it would be £28 to send it...

I do a lot of home baking for DD, cakes, biscuits and things... I just use Dove Farm SR or P flour and normal recipes - have heard that ground almonds are good to bake with but they are SO expensive in the shops so not tried it yet

lisa26_2

My partner is a coeliac and I just thought I'd share a couple of my finds with you:

1. Buy the dove's farm flour (i think its the self raising one but it might be plain) and there's a choc cake recipe on the packet, its amazing, I haven't met anyone yet who can tell the difference between it and a 'normal' cake.
2. Get the gluten free juvvela flour mix on prescription and use it to make the 'tear and share' bread rolls on the Juvvela website......the best gluten free bread EVER!!!! ALso the rcipe for pitta breads is nice althought the supermarket pittas are pretty good and I have found they are best microwaved rather than toasted.
3. Tesco's spaghetti is pretty good, I wouldn't have noticed the difference if I hadn't been told, you just have to be VERY careful not to over cook it.

For gravies and sauces I don't use a bought gravy mix, I use fresh herbs & stocks and thicken with cornflour mixed with water.

Oh and another......buy polenta (or cornmeal as its also known) and use in place of breadcrumbs to make breaded chicken, fish etc.

wendym

Cantbeatabargain wrote: »

looked on the Approved food website and they had some fab things on - I put a few in my basket - about £5 worth but it said it would be £28 to send it...

I would definitely try Approved Food again - that delivery charge is hopelessly wrong - if it comes up the same again then email or ring them. The site does have funny turns!

Kron

Hi everyone. My daughter has coeliac disease and had her check up recently. Her consultant told me that Pizza Hut have an agreed that if you ring ahead to let them know you are coming and you will require a gluten free pizza they will use the pizza base you bring with you and put on the toppings of your choice. He also said that Pizza Hut are aware of the need for a separate preparation area etc. If your local Pizza Hut refuse you can ring their Head Office and they will get it sorted.

I don't know if this is old news but I thought I would mention it as I wasn't aware of this.

Karen