Two days ago, I was in Tesco, doing a spot of reshelving. Well: moving the NOT gluten free Warburton wraps away from the gluten free section, leaving the new seeded gluten free wraps in place (have you tried these yet? Our coeliac likes the white ones and is now enjoying the seeded ones too).
I’m sure I’m not the only one who mutters about people leaving inappropriate foods on the gluten free shelves. Shoppers probably see empty shelves, and decide to jettison things they’ve changed their minds about there. I hope it’s not deliberate! I know that some people see deliberate rearrangement of supermarket goods as an art form, but I think it is highly risky – it’s too easy for consumers to be confused – as you’ll see.
Anyway, I was in Tesco again yesterday—oh the exciting life I lead—and was just about to set off on another reshelving adventure when I looked more closely at the packaging. Have you spotted the new feature?
- Tesco Finest Stem Ginger and Belgian Dark Chocolate Cookies
- Tesco Finest Belgian White Chocolate and Cranberry Cookies
- Tesco Finest Quadruple Nut Cookies
And they are all both wheat free and gluten free!
I’ve not seen these on the shelves before. It’s about time that gluten free foods were included in the Finest range. Yay for Tesco!
I guess my only quibble is the potential for confusion, since the packaging is so similar to the ‘normal’ kind. But we all read the labels carefully anyway, don’t we?
Now I can’t wait for coeliac daughter to come home from her own, rather more exciting, adventures, so we can taste them.
  | I’ve written a book summarising what we’ve learnt over 20 years of dealing with the gluten free diet, and it might be just what you’re looking for. It packs the lessons we’ve learned into what I hope is a helpful and straightforward guidebook. It’s available on Amazon, as a paperback or for your Kindle… |
Yes but are they sugar free. I’m obliged to avoid both gluten and sugar, both of which are equally hazardous from my point of view. It is not an easy combination to satisfy in a diet.
The condition is as a result of a disorder called Pyroluria
The root cause is the production of too much “kryptopyrrole” or “hemepyrrole” in the blood. A pyrrole is a chemical substance that is involved in the formation of heme, which makes blood red. Pyrroles bind with B6 and then with zinc, thus depleting these nutrients.
My biggest issue has been my bodies inability to metabolise sugar properly and an intolerance to gluten, hence the dietary consideration.
The reason for my comment is that there may be other readers with these issues and who may also have this disorder without realising it.
It can be extremely debilitating without the correct dietary supplements and many doctors, in my experience are unaware of the disorder.
Best wishes
Ron
Hi Ron
Thanks for taking the time to comment – and for sharing your story about pyroluria. It can’t be easy to avoid both gluten and sugar, and the condition isn’t that well-known.
For anyone else interested in this topic, or concerned that they might also have pyroluria, I’ve found these resources:
http://roosclues.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/basics-of-pyroluria.html
http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/social-anxiety-nutrition-pyroluria-0809125
http://healthy-family.org/why-am-i-so-edgy-learn-about-pyrrole-disorder-pyroluria/
(and do check the links in these articles for more information)
For the avoidance of any doubt: these are not sugar-free biscuits. Gluten free, and wheat free, but not sugar free.
Are they lactose free can’t seem to find out /. Due to Disabilities all our shopping has to be on line so can’t just pop into shop and read ingredients Grrr
The white choc and cranberry are delicious. Would definitely recommend. Agree with the blend in packaging. I read the label on all in anycase but its can be confusing for some.
Hi Frances: no, these are not lactose free, sadly. I do a lot of shopping online too, and I wish it was easier to check out all the ingredients online. Sometimes you can, but not always…
Hi Jo: thanks for commenting. I liked those ones too!
Sorry about the delay in responding – I’ve been away on holiday.