Australians And New Zealanders Hellooooooo :)

[amber]

Hi,  apparently the gluten free weetbix will be in store this week in Coles and Woolworths. Check out their facebook page for more info.  

[Saz]

Ohh I'm a bit excited. As mentioned in earlier posts, not a cereal person regardless of gluten factor but I do remember liking Weetbix. I'm also intrigued as to what the mystery product will be. A gluten-free version of Up and Go would be brilliant.

 

Planing on finding a Woolworths store that stocks the healthier bites range this weekend.It's kind of a grab and go section of mostly single serve items, that usually you only buy in multipacks. So for example they sell the little bags of roasted braodbeans but you don't have to buy a whole box. Good way to get some variety. Not everything in the range is gluten-free, so just check packaging before buying. 

[Sammykins]

A few things I've noticed in the shops recently:

Woolworths: now stocks fresh (not frozen)

Zehnder bread. I've only seen the white rice bread so far. For those unfamiliar with the brand, it has the distinction of being a full sized loaf. Open Original Shared Link

Coles: now stocking Genius brand double chocolate muffins and pitta bread, both in the freezer cabinet.

Still holding out for my crumpets!

Edited to add: Saz, this might help you? Open Original Shared Link

[Saz]

Thanks Sammykins. I think one of those Woolworths stores is nearish to me. 

I'm not really buying gluten-free bread of any sort at the moment but always good to have more options. I still find it a novelty to go to a supermarket and have a choice of several tasty brands of bread to choose from rather than just picking the most edible of two brands. 

Must look out for the chocolate muffins. Have seen the pita bread, might try it for a lunch or two next week, Will just have to get up a bit earlier to make it. My preference at the moment is anything that can be bought on the way to work and thrown in microwave at lunchtime. 

So I'm basically living on box nachos, the few sunrice gluten-free meals, the Superfood ones and the indian off the shelf meals.

 

I used to buy some of the weight watchers meals, but I got cranky with them when they changed the recipe of their satay chicken to

a.include wheat in the coconut milk

b. Not bother to put on the front of the box they changed the recipe, so it was only by chance that I read the ingredients. 

[Sammykins]

I confess that I have had the gluten free weet-bix for breakfast and (part of) lunch today. It's really rather tasty! It's a bit darker than regular weet-bix and I think more wholesome tasting and filling? I haven't had weet-bix in about decade though, and was a hungry teenager at the time.

I found it in the cereal island with the regular weet-bix. I guess I didn't think to look there as I rarely venture into the land of shredded wheat. I was expecting it to be in the health food section or on an end-of-isle display.

Not sure if it's been mentioned, I quite possibly have, but Carman's released three new flavours of their gluten free roasted nut bars a while ago as well as a nut and soy based protein bar (it may contain traces of milk products).

The nut bars: Open Original Shared Link

The protein bar: Open Original Shared Link

[Saz]

I also spent ages walking around Coles looking for the Weetbix. I just had them plain with milk, think they need some banana or bit of brown sugar but that's just my personal taste. Also need to work on the milk ratio. I vaguely remember that milk used to soak into normal ones but for some reason I didn't think it would with these. I liked them, not enough to become a cereal every morning person but good to have another option and be handy when going away. 

[pfongk]

I can't wait to try the new gluten free weetbix. I think my son will love them. And with the person who mentioned getting beer battered chips previously, I've actually ordered a gluten-free beer battered fish and steak fries from my local pub once. They had a dedicated fryer for their gluten-free products and used the O'Briens beer and home made bread crumbs from the Zhenders bread to do it. I really really wish that the chef hadn't left.

[Saz]

I finally found the bfree wraps. They don't seem to fall apart, although I've eaten them straight away. I really like how soft they are, I'd like a little bit more of a doughy taste but don't think it's really possible with gluten-free stuff and is just a personal taste. 

[Sammykins]

The Sydney Gluten Free Expo is on this Friday & Saturday Open Original Shared Link

[Sammykins]

I wasn't able to get to the expo due to a family emergency, but my husband dropped by for the last 30 minutes as he was working nearby.

I've heard that it's best to get to the expo early if you want to get samples and to ensure you can buy whatever discounted items you're after before they sell out.

Sure enough, when he got there a lot of places had or were packing up, there weren't many samples left, and they were out of show bags. All to be expected.

But, Sydney peeps, if you're looking to snap up some stupidly discounted gluten free foods the last half half hour of the last day is clearly the best time to be there. Not wanting to take goods back to their warehouses, suppliers were practically throwing food at him.

For between $30-$40, my husband returned with quite a food haul:

3 x pks Buontempo corn flakes

2 x pks Buontempo rice puffs

2 x loaves Helga's bread

"Yes You Can" boxed mixes: 1 x pizza base, 2 x banana bread, 1 x white bread

4 x pks Livwell white rolls

4 x Livwell baguettes

5 x pks Livwell syrup pancakes

3 x boxes Simply Wize deli wafers

1 x Genius shortcrust pastry

I've done some calculations and all this would retail at over $170. The Livwell items alone were $10 for the LOT.

Holy Batman and Robin.

Time to find some space in our freezer and see if I can steal some from my parents...

[pfongk]

I wish we'd get a gluten-free expo up here, one of the joys of living in NQ, we miss out on a lot of things. My son loves the gluten-free weetbix, the only complaint is that the box is too little, he eats 3 at a time.

[Sammykins]

I wish we'd get a gluten-free expo up here, one of the joys of living in NQ, we miss out on a lot of things. My son loves the gluten-free weetbix, the only complaint is that the box is too little, he eats 3 at a time.

Haha, him and me both.

[Saz]

Had a slightly frustrating and good experience tonigt. One one of my local cafes has some gluten-free slices in cake cabinet, They also have an  menu of light meals. like sandwiches, chips, quiches etc- you know the kind of thing that  assume you can't have because it's not labelled as gluten-free or gfo anywhere. Tonight I was in a situation where I needed to have a meal there. I asked if there was anything they could do gluten-free, thinking that they would tell me I could have a plain garden salad. Imagine my surprise when they said that they have gluten-free bread and then proceeded to tell me that the ham was gluten-free and they also do gluten-free chips without me even asking! Normally when I ask about chips been gluten-free , I get a strange look.  So I ended up with an open grill sandwich with chips and salad!

 

Also went to the local cinema and noticed that they had a sign up advertising what products where gluten-free - the popcorn, frozen coke and one type  of lolly. 

[Saz]

Some of Aldi rice crackers and potato chips are gluten-free. I don't normally shop there so not sure how long they have been. The rice crackers are labelled gluten-free. The chips weren't but were ok by ingredient. Disappointingly Woolworths Brand Coleslaw now has a may contain statement. It was the only prepared gluten-free one I knew of and they sold it in a very small tub- was perfect for me.

 

Have noticed with a lot of the new prepared salads/meals the supermarkets have are gluten-free in ingredient, except for a may contain statement! It's more irritating than when they use gluteny dressing that could easily be gluten-free!  

 

I even tried to buy polenta the other day that had a may contain statement. 

[Sammykins]

I even tried to buy polenta the other day that had a may contain statement.

I've actually seen more 'may be contaminated' polenta than gluten free polenta. It's mind-boggling. Woolworths is a big offender. Stacks of their Macro range health food items may contain gluten when they need not, and they're gluten free staples like polenta and buckwheat groats (last time I checked these had a disclaimer).

I buy The Market Grocer brand polenta from greengrocers. Franklins may also stock it as they have Market Grocer dried pulses, another thing that is frequently contaminated.

I saw some quick (pre-cooked) polenta in Coles the other day that was gluten free by ingredient. It was in the pasta aisle and comes in a vacuum packed rectangular log.

On an unrelated note, there is now a new gluten free weetbix flavour: sunflower seed & rice puff. I haven't tried it as I'm not keen on sunflower seeds.

And I'm not sure if this has been mentioned, but the par-cooked Sunrice Rice & Quinoa and Rice & Chia sachets now come in twin packs of single serve cups. I haven't seen them in many supermarkets though.

[Saz]

Always check for may contain with Sunrice. I've picked up a few lately that I thought would be ok but had may contain. Also some of their microwave shelf meals are marked as gluten-free but some while gluten-free by ingredient have a processed on the same line as statement. I picked up one like this for work lunch the other day. I ended up eating due to having no other suitable food. I was fine but try not to this if possible. 

[Sammykins]

Always check for may contain with Sunrice. I've picked up a few lately that I thought would be ok but had may contain. Also some of their microwave shelf meals are marked as gluten-free but some while gluten-free by ingredient have a processed on the same line as statement. I picked up one like this for work lunch the other day. I ended up eating due to having no other suitable food. I was fine but try not to this if possible.

I know it is in the stir fry mix (wheaten soy sauce)

and I think they have some rice/barley mixes but wow, unexpected. Thanks for the heads up!

[Saz]

I work in a community organisation that provides food for clients. Quite often in the staff room there are left over cakes or savouries. Sometimes I have to try very hard not scream at people who say "oh this all looks nice, but you don't eat this kind of thing do you? 

I then calmly try to explain that I do but I can't eat those particular ones because they are full of gluten. Some people then try to tell me that  this will be their gluten limit for the day as they try to avoid flour, pasta, bread.  Sometimes I ask them what they have planed for dinner and if they say roast or stir fry they give me a blank look when I ask if the sauce or gravy is gluten-free. 

 

I also seem to complicate things when people ask what happens if if have some normal bread etc. I try to explain that I was not sensitive so I could eat a bit of bread before been physically ill and I did used to cheat but that doesn't mean inside aren't been damaged. So I was very impressed today when I told someone this and they said I would probably be sick if ate a lot of gluten now, just because I am not used to it. They also didn't look at me like I am insane when I said I feel ill when I smell subway bread baking.

 

Righto... I finished my rant now.  Just a bit fed up at moment as on several occasions have had to watch people eating gluteny food that I know could be gluten-free if different brands were used. 

[weluvgators]

Hi, does anyone have gluten/wheat free hairspray recommendations?  Thank you!

[amber]

Why would you need gluten free hairspray?   Firstly I would be surprised if hairspray had wheat in it and secondly unless you ingest gluten it cannot have any effect on you.   Shampoo, moisturisers, makeup etc. does not absorb into your intestine through your skin and therefore is safe to use.  You have to orally consume gluten for it to have an effect on you.  The only products you would need to worry about is toothpaste and mouthwashes etc.  and the majority would not contain gluten.    I worked for the coeliac society for five years and this is what we informed our members.  

[weluvgators]

My family has coeliac and gluten/wheat allergy.  I am suffering from an allergic reaction after exposure to someone who is using hairspray with wheat in it.  It seems the most obvious place to start - find a gluten/wheat free hairspray (found wheat in hairspray when I was trying to figure out what was causing my allergic reaction that is customary to my airborne gluten/wheat exposure - hairspray is from USA, but we are in Australia).  In addition, the accommodations are not spacious, and the hair spray is used in a bathroom that is close to eating and food preparation areas.  While not ideal, it will most likely be a common occurrence as we travel around in holiday accommodations.  I hope the coeliac society can broaden their vision in helping ALL people with gluten issues find safe and applicable information about living gluten free in Australia.

 

I just don't shop for hairspray (don't use it ever) and was hoping someone here could tell me a good gluten free brand to get - thanks!  Perhaps there is no gluten in hairspray here, but after my experiences looking at shampoos and conditioners here. . . I assumed that it would be common in hairspray here.

[weluvgators]

It turned out to be pretty easy to find a gluten free hairspray here.  Most of the ones that I looked at (not that many, but a few) did not list gluten ingredients.  Bedhead (what family member had from USA, and it was available in the shop here) had wheat in it.

[Saz]

Might have glutened myself. I bought some of the Jamie Oliver branded beef burgers from Woolworths. I checked the allergen statement when I bought them and it says soy and sulphates. After eating I realise breadcrumbs is listed as an ingredient, however in brackets next to that it only says contains soy. Nowhere else in the ingredients list does it list wheat/rye/barely/oats and I have checked the allergen statement again and the rest of the packaging and can't see any type of gluten or may contain gluten statement. 

 

What I want to know is that if the breadcrumbs are from wheat/gluten then at least legally,  they should be declaring this either in brackets next to it or they should list wheat/gluten in the allergen statement? 

[amber]

That's quite strange. If it had gluten in it you would think they would have it in the contains statement.  I will go an have a look today when I am at the supermarket.  Maybe the breadcrumbs were made of soy if that is what it had in brackets.  Legally if a product contains an allergy causing ingredient such as wheat, milk, nuts, eggs etc. it must be listed.   Does it say gluten free on the packaging at all?  It if does say gluten free than you are fine as they are not allowed to state gluten free unless it is gluten-free. 

[Saz]

It doesn't say gluten free. I haven't had a reaction but I'm not very sensitive so even if it was wheatcrumbs I might not react from just one. I am hoping you are right about them been made from soy!