Gluten Free Pages

glutenfreepages.com.au logoDiscover how to enjoy a gluten free lifestyle in Australia: Hints, tips, directory, restaurant lists & more…

gluten free guideWe created Gluten Free Pages to make it easier to enjoy a gluten free lifestyle in Australia. It doesn’t matter whether you have been diagnosed with Coeliac Disease or gluten intolerance, or have simply chosen to avoid gluten for lifestyle reasons, you’ll find everything you need to know right here!

Our goal is to help you thrive, not just survive. Below you’ll find a range of helpful hints, tips & a comprehensive directory of the best products to choose, shops to buy from & restaurants to eat at.

This information was previously available on a separate website at glutenfreepages.com.au but has now been be transferred to it’s new home at TimetoCleanse Australia! 

Regularly Updated – But We Need Your Help!

These gluten free pages are regularly updated, and our team is always on the look out for new products, alternatives, restaurants & more – but we need your help too!

Help us create the most useful guide to going (& staying gluten) free in Australia by letting us know about the best shops & restaurants in your local area. You’ll find a contact form at the bottom of this page!

We’ll feature your hints, tips & suggestions on our website and might even send some you of our favorite products as a thank you!

gluten free foodsThe Basics

If you are already on a gluten free diet and have the basics sorted you can probably skip this section, but for those recently diagnosed with Coeliac Disease it’s important to get started on the right foot.

Take a few minutes now and you’ll save lots of mistakes, confusion & frustration later on.

Here are some  frequently asked questions…

What is Gluten?
Gluten is a protein found in wheat, and other grains. It’s stretchy and is the ‘glue’ that helps pasta, breads and other baked foods stay together& rise.

Why Can’t I Eat It?
People with Coeliac Disease can’t tolerate this protein and eating it can cause damage to the small intestine. It is defined as an autoimmune disease because the immune system reacts abnormally to gluten. It’s really important to get a proper diagnosis which is usually done through a blood test and bowel biopsy.

Gluten intolerance is different, and is less well defined, however it is estimated that up to 15% of the population suffer from it. People with an intolerance can’t digest gluten properly & may suffer from a range of symptoms after eating it. Some doubt that it even exists, however people who experience issues processing grains containing gluten know it is very real!

What Products Contain Gluten?
Gluten is found in a range of different grains including wheat, barley, oats & triticale. Whilst it can be easier to avoid the grains in their natural forms, gluten has unfortunately made it’s way in to a wide range of different foods. This includes many baked goods, sauces, dressings and more.

The good news is that over the last few years the number of gluten free products has increased dramatically, and many restaurants now offer tasty gluten free options on their menus. It’s important to read labels very carefully to look for hidden ingredients!

Are Gluten Free Products Healthier?

Some people are now avoiding gluten for health or lifestyle reasons, and assume gluten free products are healthier, however we recommend caution. Many processed products contain long ingredient lists and contain high levels of sugar, salt and other artificial additives. Unless you have a medical need to avoid gluten there is no reason to.

However it is definitely still possible to eat a very nutritious and healthy diet and remain gluten free, especially if you avoid processed, refined and packaged foods, and instead stick to ingredients that are as close to nature as possible.

Gluten Free Directory

Recommended Products

There are now so many gluten free products it’s impossible to list them all – however here are a few of our favorites!

Isagenix presidents pak all productsIsagenix Products

We may be biased because we are an Independent Isagenix Australia Associate, but we think the Isagenix Cleanse is one of the best gluten free weight loss programs out there.

The IsaLean shakes are a really convenient and simple way to ensure you are getting the nutrients you need each and every day, and can be used to replace breakfast or another meal.

There’s also a complete range of other supplements, weight loss, youthful aging and performance products available, most of which are gluten free.

Buy Isagenix Online or find out more about the 30 day program here.

SalDoce Fine Foods / Yes You Can Gluten Free Baking Mixes

Many gluten free baking mixes simply don’t work! They are blabaking mix rangend, tasteless and don’t stay together. However the Yes You Can range from SalDoce Fine Foods are wonderful! They are easy to make, don’t contain any horrible ingredients, and taste great!

We love the multi-grain bread and buckwheat pancake mix best!

Organ pastaOrgan Pasta

Okay, it’s probably not going to win any awards in an Italian restaurant, but as far as gluten free pasta’s go Organ is about as good as it gets. Our kids love the coloured corn and vegetable spirals.

Mrs Macs Gluten Free Pies

They are still not healthy I know, but sometimes you just need a pie. When Mrs Macs launched their gluten free pies back in 2014 we were skeptical, however they actually taste pretty good. Give the beef pie a go, but make sure there’s no gluten in your tomato sauce!

Online Shops

Many online health shops stock a wide range of gluten free products, however these three dedicated websites have a fantastic range and offer advice / support for those who need it.

Gluten Free ShopAbsolutely Gluten Free logo

Absolutely Gluten Free

Gluten Free Direct

Supermarkets and Health Food Shops

All the major supermarkets now stock a wide variety of gluten free products. Below are links to the major chains supermarkets to view their product range:

Almost all health food shops stock gluten free products and we recommend visiting your local store to see what products are available. The advantage of shopping at a locally owned and operated health food store is the advice, recommendations and guidance you receive from passionate and often highly trained staff. You may sometimes pay slightly more, but it’s well worth it!

  • GoVita has over 150 stores throughout Australia.

Many bulk food stores also sell many gluten free grains, nuts, seeds and other products – just make sure to check that products haven’t been cross contaminated (especially with oats).

Gluten Free Restaurants

We are happy to say there are too many restaurants to list! A few years ago this wasn’t true, but now most towns now have at least one place to out eat that caters to a range of dietary requirements.

In some small country towns it can still be a struggle, but many chefs are happy to tweak a dish or leave out a certain ingredient – you just have to ask!

Useful Links

Coeliac Australia 

Gluten Free Living

Taste.com.au Gluten Free Recipes

Fedup.com.au (Food additive and Intolerance Network)

foods listFoods List

Knowing what to eat and what to avoid can be confusing. Here’s our list of the foods to eat, foods to avoid and foods to eat with caution.

Please note this list is for information purposes only and we cannot be held responsible for it’s accuracy. Talk to your doctor before adding or removing any foods from your diet.

Foods to Avoid

Wheat: This includes ancient grains (such as spelt and Kamut). Look for wheat in cakes, bread, pasta and other baked products. If it says ‘wheat’ on the label, even if it’s part of a longer ingredient name, it’s best to avoid it. Licorice is also made with wheat and should be avoided.

Rye: Used mostly to make bread

Barley: Used in bread, soups, malt vinegar and other malt products

Packaged Products Not Marked As Gluten Free: Some packaged products without a gluten free label may have hidden gluten in them. Check the ingredient list carefully or avoid completely.

Cross Contaminated Foods: Foods cooked in the same oils, or in the same facility, as other gluten grains maybe contaminated.

Foods to Eat

  • Gluten free grains (and others that act like grains) such as:
    • Buckwheat (about the only ‘wheat’ product that is actually ‘wheat free‘ – it’s actually seeds of a fruit)
    • Arrowroot / Tapioca
    • Corn
    • Rice
    • Other ‘grains’ such as amaranth, flax, millet, quinoa, sorghum & soy
  • Baking products including flours from grains listed above, cornstarch, potato starch & guar / xanthan gum.
  • Distilled alcohol (such as Vodka)
  • Products labelled gluten (but not wheat) free.
  • Most other foods not listed in the do not eat or eat with caution lists

Foods to eat with caution

Always check ingredients for the following foods:

  • Oats (commonly contaminated so look for non-contaiminated oats when purchasing)
  • Soy Sauce
  • Sauces & Salad Dressings
  • Chocolate
  • Natural flavuoring
  • Seasonings
  • Candy
  • Ice Cream
  • Fermented products
  • Beer
  • Baking powder
  • Some medications

Recommend a Gluten Free Product or Submit Your Tips

We’d love to hear from you! If you are on a gluten free diet and have a helpful tip to share or have found a tasty new product you can’t stop eating we’d love to hear from you!

Simply complete the form below and we’ll add your submission to the page as soon as we can!