Welcome to The Gluten Free Help Guide. Your one-stop resource for living gluten free with confidence. Whether you’ve just been diagnosed with coeliac disease, think you might have gluten intolerance, or simply want to understand the gluten free diet better, this guide is here to help.
On this page you will find articles that cover a wide range of topics, including:
- The difference between coeliac disease and gluten intolerance
- Common coeliac symptoms and what to watch for
- How to read gluten free food labels and avoid hidden gluten
- Tips for dining out and managing cross-contamination
- What to do if you’ve been “glutened”
- Everyday advice for living a healthy, confident gluten free lifestyle
Think of this page as your quick-reference manual for navigating gluten free life, practical, reliable, and sprinkled with a little humour along the way.
What is Coeliac Disease?
Coeliac disease is an autoimmune condition where eating gluten (a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye) triggers the immune system to attack the lining of the small intestine. This damage makes it harder for the body to absorb nutrients, which can lead to a wide range of symptoms, from digestive issues to fatigue, skin problems, and more.
Gluten Intolerance vs. Coeliac Disease
It’s important to know the difference between coeliac disease and gluten intolerance:
- Coeliac disease: An autoimmune condition. Even tiny amounts of gluten can cause long-term damage to the gut, so strict avoidance is essential.
- Gluten intolerance (non-coeliac gluten sensitivity): Causes unpleasant symptoms such as bloating or stomach pain, but it does not cause intestinal damage in the same way.
👉 In short: coeliac disease = immune system damage, gluten
Jump to a topic
🧠 Understanding coeliac disease
📘 Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Being Coeliac
Your beginners guide on all things coeliac and gluten free.
🔎 The Symptoms That Keep on Giving
From fatigue to skin issues. A quick checklist to discuss with your GP.
🧩Gluten Free Diet Made Easy: Tips and Solutions
Tips and solutions living the gluten free life.
🧩Gluten Free Myths and Legends
As you know, there’s a lot of information out there about gluten-free food, some of it helpful and some quite misleading.
🍞 Gluten free basics
🏷️ Understanding ‘May Contain’ Gluten Labels
Spotting wheat, barley, rye and making sense of may contain warnings.
❓ Common Questions Answered
Go to staples you can eat with confidence plus simple meal ideas.
🌾 What to Do When You’ve Been Glutened
So what can you do to help if you ever get glutened.
🏡 Everyday living gluten free
🍝How to Use Gluten Free Pasta Like a Pro
Gluten free pasta can be hit and miss when cooking. Here is your guide in a perfect pasta meal.
🧼 Understanding Gluten-Free Jargon
A collection of all the jargon and quirky, wonderful terms from the gluten free world (a work in progress 🤣).
🧑🍳 Guide to Gluten-Free Cooking
Short recap with gentle steps that many people find useful.
🛒 Food and shopping guides
🍝 Best gluten free pasta brands
UK supermarket ranges and premium brands with clear verdicts.
🍺 Best Gluten Free Beer Brands. A Complete UK Guide
A listing of some of the best gluten free brewery’s in the UK. Also help to understand what gluten free beer is.
🌾 Gluten free flours explained
What each flour is good for and how to avoid crumbly bakes.
🛒 Surviving the Gluten Free End-of-the-Month Blues
Gluten free foods are notoriously costly, and during tight financial times, the burden becomes even more challenging.
💬 Support and community
💬 A Guide for Friends & Family
When someone close to you has coeliac disease, it can be overwhelming to figure out the best ways to support them.
🌾 Why Every Coeliac’s Journey Deserves Respect
Why the Gluten-Free Community Should Support Every Coeliac’s Journey.
⚠️ Disclaimer: I’m not a doctor or medical professional. The advice, tips, and experiences shared on The GF Table come from my own journey with coeliac disease and living gluten free. Everyone is different, so always seek advice from your GP or a qualified healthcare professional before making changes to your diet or treatment.
