Gluten-free alternatives

Brands that have great-tasting options for your favourite foods

WHETHER you’re coeliac or just intolerant, the food industry’s sneaky practice of adding gluten into the vast majority of products will leave you feeling bloated and sorry for yourself.

But that doesn’t mean you have to go without. After copious amounts of trial and error, here are a few handy alternatives I’ve found to gluten-filled foods.

Bread

Traditional gluten-free loaves are small, dense and go dry quickly.

I found Helga’s Gluten Free range as close to the real thing as you will get. Their slices are 50 per cent bigger than most brands and don’t crumble as soon as they’re exposed to air.

While Helga’s offers a great range of gluten-free wraps too, if you enjoy burritos, my favourite swap has been the BFree Sweet Potato Wraps.

Pasta

If you’re looking for penne or other pasta varieties, Barilla offers a great range that can cater to all tastes.

Meanwhile, On Ya Gnocchi do an amazing, handmade gnocchi that tastes just as good as anything my nonna makes (but don’t tell her I said that).

Chocolate

The best chocolate swap I’ve found so far has been Jasper + Myrtle. They come in the most amazing range of flavours and have none of those nasty preservatives or additives you might struggle to even pronounce.

Soy sauce

Soy sauce is just fermented wheat, so try swapping it for Tamari or Kikkoman GlutenFree Soy Sauce.

Alcohol

I do love a vodka cranberry when out with friends. But if you’re coeliac, you’d better hope that’s a potato-based vodka they’re pouring into your glass right now.

The majority of vodkas, bourbons and whiskeys are all distilled from grains. While experts disagree on whether the distillation process makes the liquors suitable for those with coeliac, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

If you’re a vodka person, opt for Crystal Head instead.

Beers and ales are a gluten minefield, but if you’re not content with cider, try O’Brien Beer. The Australian brewery was established when its founder discovered he had coeliac disease and has a great coeliacfriendly range of preservative and colouring-free beers on offer.

Doughnuts

Many cafes and restaurants now cater to a gluten-intolerant clientele and there’s no shortage of cupcakes, tarts and sweetbread. But let me tell you what there is a serious lack of in the gluten-free world: doughnuts.

I had given up on my quest until one day the universe threw me a bone and helped me discover GF Dessert Co and Houghnuts. If you’re health conscious, Houghnuts are also vegan and use 100 per cent pure maple syrup to sweeten their products.

For more expert tips, visit lifestyle.com.au.