6 things we learnt living with coeliac disease

"Our Delicious Alchemy HQ is full of people living with coeliac disease, gluten allergies or gluten intolerances. Because of this, we really understand what it's like going gluten free for health reasons, simply because we've done it ourselves. To help you on your gluten free journey, we've pulled together our list of what we've learnt along the way...  

What we learnt on our gluten free journeys

 

1. Don’t cheat - it's not worth it.

It’s just not worth it - no matter how good that gluten-filled treat looks, your body is not going to thank you for it. That’s one of the reasons we started baking - to create our own treats we could actually enjoy and not suffer for!  

2. Asking for help is OK.

Embarking on a gluten free diet can be sometimes be overwhelming. However, there are a lot of online blogs and support groups out there that have been really helpful - we find Coeliac.org.uk a great place to start.  Sometimes just reading about or talking to people going through the same thing is all the support you need.  

3. You become an expert label-reader.

We know how confusing food labels can be - we'll often be found squinting at the small print in supermarkets! However, there's now a handy shortcut we always look for when buying gluten free products - the Crossed Grain label. At Delicious Alchemy, we're very proud that all of our products are Crossed Grain certified.  

4. Don't let people assume your diet is a ‘fad’.

Yes, some people follow gluten free diets to feel more healthy, or maybe to lose weight. No, we are not one of those people. Coeliac disease is just as serious as (for example) nut allergies - and that's something that not a lot of people understand! Until we were diagnosed, we didn’t understand how severe the consequences of getting this wrong could be. Now, we're working to raise awareness of the condition.  

5. It's OK to get picky at restaurants.

If you’re not 100% certain your waiter knows the gluten content of your meal, ask to talk to the chef. We know this can be tricky - nobody likes feeling as though they're making a fuss! - but, in our experience people are (usually!) helpful and understanding. When you're living with a serious medical condition, it's not worth it to risk your health to avoid appearing picky.  

6. Get baking! Seriously, it helps.

. Luckily for us, gluten free awareness has grown a huge amount over recent years, and gluten free ingredients or baking mixes have become more popular and readily available, including of course our own range of treats!   What have you learnt? We love hearing about your gluten free journeys, tips, tricks and advice, so let us know on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram!   "