Going gluten-free in the UK is a significant step. It means giving up your favourite childhood snacks, yorkshire puddings, and that beloved pasta brand (I’m sure we all have one).
When I first went gluten-free in 2018 (against my own will and with much pushback), I thought I could never enjoy pasta again. Fast forward to a year later, I stumbled upon gluten-free pasta options in the health food aisle. I can still remember the distinct red lentil flour taste and mushy consistency which almost made me give up and revert to wheat pasta.
Thankfully, since then, I’ve experimented with various gluten-free products (read on for a full list of recommendations with hyperlinks to your local grocery stores like Tesco and Sainsburys.)
This list, which I will update regularly, serves as a guide with active recommendations to help you make informed choices while ensuring you never have to sacrifice flavour in your meals.
Bread – a mutual enemy?
Bread is usually considered public enemy number one for those following a gluten-free diet. However, I’m here to demystify this notion entirely.
Many bread-making companies have acknowledged the increasing demand for gluten-free products, recognising that it could impact their traditional bread sales. In response, companies have upped their game and do produce edible gluten-free bread, wraps, and rolls.
The long-time contender, the famous Schär brand, does offer reliable bread options, and it was the first gluten-free bread I tried once I eliminated regular bread from my diet. However, I must say that the quality of their bread is not as good as some supermarkets’ branded Free From lines and trusty UK-based Warburtons.
Best gluten-free loaves on the market right now:
M&S Made Without Oaty Bread Loaf
Tesco Finest Free From Tiger Bread 400G
Genius DGF Soft White Farmhouse 430g
Warburtons Gluten Free Tiger Bloomer 400g.
Aside from the supermarkets’ branded lines, Genius & Warburtons’ gluten-free range can be found across most supermarkets except for Aldi and LIDL.
Top gluten-free wraps/pitta breads/rolls:
Old El Paso Gluten Free Regular Original Tortillas x6 216g
Warburtons Gluten Free 4 White Soft Pittas
Warburtons Gluten Free Super Soft Sliced Square Rolls x4 240g (this sliced roll comes in different variations such as seeded, brioche etc.)
All of the above mentioned products have an indistinguishable texture from the original counterpart which contains gluten. They are fair substitutes for the original product and those who do consume gluten might not be able to notice a difference when presented with these gluten-free alternatives.
Pasta – a staple that is here to stay.
My love/hate relationship with pasta has reached neutral ground through experimentation of different gluten-free options.
The following pastas have a permanent home in my kitchen cupboard:
Tesco Free From Fusilli Pasta 500G
Tesco Free From Conchiglie 500G
Sainsbury’s Free From Casarecce, Taste the Difference 500g
M&S Made Without Pasta (their entire range is found in the physical store, with limited options on Ocado)
Cakes and biscuits – perfect with a cuppa!
If you’ve read my other articles then you have probably noticed my love for cakes and all things sweet. I have continued to indulge in a treat (or two) whilst cutting out gluten and if I can do it, so can you 😉
Scroll down ⬇️ for a full list of gluten-free treats!
I’ve created a list of delightful cakes that can be found in UK grocery stores, so feel free to explore and find your favourite. (Ergo: everyone should have their cake and eat it!)
Schär Marble Cake 250g (the only Schär product I like!)
Tesco Free From Vanilla Traybake
Tesco Free From 16 Chocolate Cornflake Clusters
M&S Made Without Victoria Sandwich Cake
If you’re based in the Netherlands, please refer to my articles on gluten-free eateries, some of which sell their products in grocery stores like Albert Heijn or Ekoplaza: No Wheat, No Worries: Exploring Rotterdam’s Best Gluten-Free Eateries and Gluten-Free Delights in Utrecht: A Spotlight on Rose & Vanilla.
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