Don’t Let Gluten Get You Down!

I’m a coeliac, and well, it’s crap.
Okay, I’ll be fair here, there are SO many new brands out there now for people who have a gluten intolerance or simply want to cut it out of their diets – but it’s never the same as a nice slice of oozy chocolate cake or a biccy with a cup of tea that sometimes you just need.
And if anyone dares say “coeliac disease doesn’t exist’ get out.
It’s rude, and honestly, if I could eat cake I WOULD.
I was only diagnosed at the start of this year – and it has taken a lot of getting used to, and sometimes I go wrong (then I throw up or… worse, no details, I’ll leave that to your imagination (if you dare)).
It’s taken a lot of research and googling to find gluten free things (ugh, trust me when I say there is some revolting stuff out there), fortunately with the up and coming fad of not eating gluten anymore, there is a lot more variety.

Coming from someone who has a massive sweet tooth, the fact that I can’t have scrumptious gluteny filled treats anymore sort of kills me inside, BUT I have found some foods that beat those cravings and then some. 

Here are my top 5 recommended treats!

1. MARKS AND SPENCER CHOCOLATE CAKE.

This cake is so moist and fudgey, it’s probably my most favourite gluten free treat. FINALLY A GLUTEN FREE CAKE THAT’S NOT DRY!
One thing my partner often says about gluten free products (he is fortunately not a coeliac) is that the texture is grainy but this has his seal of approval.
Price: £3.50.
which is not too bad considering I’ve paid much more than this for just a slice of cake.

2. MARKS AND SPENCER CHOCOLATE FUDGE PUDDING.

Again, what a winner.
Put this in the microwave and your whole home smells of gorgeous molten chocolate, and it only takes 3 minutes!
The chocolate is so gooey and moreish. It’s hard to stop at just one slice.
Price: £3.20. 

3. ALMONDY DAIM  CHOCOLATE CAKE (bought from Tesco).

Found on a late night shop in Tesco, where inside I asked my partner “shall we go look at the gluten free frozen range?” off we went, and wow. HELLO.
You cut the slice you’d like and leave it to ‘defrost’ for 30 or so minutes – and let me tell you, entirely worth the wait.
It’s a layer of nuts, chocolate, cream and poured over the top a chocolatey ganache with daim bits inside.
YES YES YES.
Price: £3.00

4. MRS CRIMBLES CHOCOLATE MACAROONS.

When I broke my femur back when I was 13 my grandma bought me these, and they were my favourite things.
What a joy it was to discover that Mrs Crimble is an ENTIRELY gluten free range, which you can find here: Mrs Crimbles Range.
These are delightful melt in your mouth coconut chocolate macaroons. Luuurvley.
Price: £1.00 (can’t go wrong really).

Annnnnd finally:

5. EAT NATURAL FRUIT & NUTS BAR: ALMOND AND APRICOT.

A nice chewy fruit bar, full of goodness, but high on sugar and not far away from a Mars Bar in terms of calories, but it’s a treat!! 
Price: £1.00

I’m a firm believer that coeliac disease will not hold me back from trying and creating different foods.

In the near future I am going to be starting a new series called “Vivacious Food”, giving an insight into my gluten free lifestyle (and meeting my partner, Mark, who enjoys eating the foods I create. Waaaahey, one happy customer!)
Hopefully it will help other people with the disease to discover different food combinations and give people a reason to get creative in the kitchen!

Currently, I am looking into a gluten free christmas dinner with my lovely Mum, and we have found PROFITEROLES. WHAT!
Life is on the up.

DON’T LET GLUTEN GET YOU DOWN!

The Vivacious Blonde.