I am going to London in three weeks and am a little nervous about finding gluten free foods while I am there. I will be in London for a few days before and then a few days after a Contiki tour that starts there. I am mainly looking for a good store to get some crackers, breakfast bars, cookies, etc. to take on the tour with me (becuase I am not sure what I will be able to bring over from Canada). Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Another question of mine is what kinds/brands of alcohol are safe in the UK? I know the brands that are safe for me here in Canada but can't seem to find any info on brands in the UK. Thanks!

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HI Prairie girl,
In the UK Most Supermarket chains have there own Free From range of foods,
Sainsburys, Tesco, ASDA, Morrisons, Waitrose etc.
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I love the gluten-free stuff from ASDA, reasonably priced as well.
Waitrose have fresh gluten-free bread, Antoinette Savill is the brand..
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Tesco's Free From Range
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ASDA's Free From Range
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Waitrose Free From Range
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gluten-free Products and Services (Coeliac UK)
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As regard alcoholic beverages, all distilled spirits are gluten-free eg. whiskey, brandy, vodka, barcardi, gin etc.
Beers: Glutener, Discovery, Endevour, Herald traditional Ale, Pilgrim Cherry beer, Pioneer Lager, Trailblazer Lager.
Brands of gluten-free beer will vary from area to area.
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Best Regards,
David

Thank you thank you!! I didn't realize there were gluten free beers over there! We have only one brand here in Canada and it is not very good. And I am a big beer lover so that is exciting news all on its own! And thanks for the list of stores to get gluten free products.

Are you from Dublin Ireland? Because I am going there for a week after I am in London and you might be just the person with some suggestions for places to go there too!!

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I Sure Am,
Contact The Irish Coeliac Society and ask for a list of Coeliac Friendly Restaurants that they recommend.
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info@coeliac.ie
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there is an unofficial guide you can look through also, Menupages.
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Menupages.ie Coeliac Friendly
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If you're in the City then have a gluten-free Glutino Bagel in ITSA Bagel (make sure to ask for a gluten-free Bagel)
in the Epicurean Foodhall, Liffey St Dublin.
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ITSA Bagel Website
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There is a high level of awareness in the Catering Industry, so you should have no problems.
As regards gluten-free foodstuffs all Supermarket and Health Stores carry a reasonable range.
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Enjoy your stay
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Best Regards,
David

I just got back today from Scotland and both Tesco and Sainsbury had a lot of gluten-free foods available. They do have different standards in terms of the amount allowed- 200ppm- and I wasn't sure how I would do. I did react pretty badly to some of it- so I guess you just have to see how you do in terms of sensitivity. The choice of cereals wasn't great- but they have tons of breads/english muffins and cookies etc.

Thank you for posting your experience. I read a lot about their labeling and it is very confusing. That is too bad that you reacted ot a lot of it... it must have put a bit of a damper on the trip. It sounds as though things labeled gluten free are more dangerous than those not labelled that look safe from the label. It makes no sense at all! I am leaving in a week so I am really hoping things go well food wise b/c that makes it easier to enjoy the trip! Keeping my fingers crossed!

I read somewhere that lots of ciders were gluten free in the UK. Now I just found some information that says that many ciders have barely malt added to them. Does anyone from the UK know brands of ciders that are safe? Or should I just stear clear of all ciders??

Hello Davie Boy,

I am going to Donegal next week and wonderede what the situation is for gluten free foods as I have just been diagnosed with Ceoliac and I am a diabetic

I am going to Donegal next week and wondered what the situation is for gluten free foods at shops there as I have just been diagnosed with Ceoliac and I am a diabetic

For anyone travelling to the Uk I would recommend having a look at this site:-

http://www.coeliac.org.uk/

There is quite a lot of useful info there in addition to the info provided by the others above.