This isn't directed at any one specifically, but more a general plea. As an increasing number of shops increase their gluten free selection of foods, it would be great to know that all their staff, permanent or visiting to do a tasting or whatever, know what coeliac and gluten free means.
For instance, the other day, someone was handing out pieces of a new chocolate bar in one of my local supermarkets. When I asked if it was gluten free I was met with a blank look and told 'well it's suitable for vegetarians'!
Oh good, but is there gluten in it?
The poor girl had not a clue what I meant and when I asked to look at the packaging I'm not sure what she thought I was about to do. Stamp on it? Hightail it to the door with a chocolate bar waving it above my head?
Neither of course. I just checked the ingredients and gave her a quick (because she asked me to) explanation of gluten and barley, rye, oats (for some people not all) and wheat. (BROW for reference.)
It made me think. (Yes I do ponder on occasion.) How many people really do understand that for more people than is generally thought, not to eat gluten isn't a lifestyle choice but a necessity.
You see, when people with coeliac disease eat foods containing gluten, their immune system responds by damaging the finger-like villi of the small intestine.
That's the upshot of it. But of course on its way to doing that, different people react in different ways. None of them pleasant.
So yeah, anyone who is Coeliac or gluten intolerant steers clear of gluten like the plague.
And I so wish supermarkets made sure everyone knows about it.
But, on a good note, has anyone tried Sainsbury's fresh gluten free bread? It's absolutely gorgeous, and as far as I can remember what bread with gluten tastes like, it's the same. Put it this way, I've eaten very few sandwiches over my non-gluten years due to the fact the bread just didn't taste that good unless it was toasted. Not horrible, just not how I wanted a sandwich to taste.
And now... *drum roll* okay a g-f roll, and only one because Ive eaten the other one...
Heaven...I've even eaten it with only butter on. A true test I reckon.
Thumbs up there, Sainsbury's.
(source, pinterest)
Happy eating,
love, Raven x
Having just been diagnosed as Coeliac, I am really surprised at how much more expensive GF products are. I fancied some cheese and crackers - but I am not pay £2.50 a pack when non GF are around 75p. And that's just one example.
ReplyDeleteIt really is an eye opener isn't it? My next gf post is on make it yourself. I've become a dab hand at recreating old recipes.
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