Toronto?

[Pegleg84]

Hi,

I've just moved to Toronto, more specifically Long Branch near Humber Lakeshore, and would love to get some advice from local celiacs. I've only been here a couple days, but am finding gluten free products extremely difficult to find at grocery stores, etc. Does anyone know a good place to shop? Or eat? or any advice to a small town NBer now in the big city.

thanks

Peggy

[psawyer]

Hi, Peggy,

I am in the opposite corner of town from Long Branch. I am in Unionville (Markham) NE of Toronto proper.

I am a celiac, and my wife and I eat gluten-free. We do most of our shopping at Open Original Shared Link, but frequently shop at Loblaw's or Loblaw Great Food because they have a good selection of gluten-free items. Selection at Loblaw stores varies from location to location, and we shop at three different ones on a regular basis to find what we want. Our local Longo's is carrying more and more gluten-free items, and is always less expensive than Loblaw for the same item.

Open Original Shared Link is a specialty store I occasionally shop at. They have one location, at Leslie and York Mills, which is a long way for you to travel.

That should get you started.

Also, consider that many manufacturers will clearly label any gluten source ingredients. This makes it easy to look at their labels and know if the product contains gluten. These are mainstream products available everywhere:

Unsafe ingredients: https://www.celiac.com/articles/182/1/Unsaf...ents/Page1.html

Safe ingredients: https://www.celiac.com/articles/181/1/Safe-...ents/Page1.html

A list of companies that has a clear gluten policy. If you don't see "wheat, rye, barley, barley malt, oats" on the labels, its not there, or hidden in "flavors, starches, etc." Open Original Shared Link This makes shopping MUCH easier.

FDA foods are required to list wheat - it cannot be hidden.

Rule #1: Never eat anything without reading the label first.

Rule #2: Consistently check labels, even of your favorite products, as product formulations can change.

Rule #3: If you are unsure of an ingredient, or the company's policy on labeling, call the phone number on the back of the product or email the company.

Hope this helps.

Since you are in Canada, you should know that VH sauces are mostly gluten-free. They are available only in Canada, but are owned by ConAgra and will clearly disclose any source of gluten. Their soy sauce is gluten-free and is widely available in Canada at mainstream stores and prices.

Contact me via PM (or email) if you want to discuss gluten-free in T.O. in more detail.

Welcome to the extended neighborhood called the GTA.

[Pegleg84]

Thanks for the help. I did have much better luck yesterday, when I found my local health food store, which had a limited but good selection of gluten-free products. I'm sure I'll find where to get everything I need eventually.

thanks