Elly McKenzie 
Food-label warnings such as ‘May contain traces of gluten’ and ‘Processed on the same line as gluten-containing cereals’ can be tricky to interpret. If you have coeliac disease or are highly sensitive to gluten, chances are you’ll be a little confused about this grey area of labelling. Here, I’ll give you the information you need … Read more
Gluten can’t cause damage to the small intestine when it’s absorbed through the skin. If you have coeliac disease or dermatitis herpetiformis, you don’t need to worry about gluten in cosmetics or medicines that are topically applied (to the skin, hair, nails, etc). Rarely, gluten/wheat may cause skin irritation Some people with coeliac disease report … Read more
Looking for an easy gluten-free, dairy-free brownie recipe that’s kid-friendly, beginner-proof, and made from pantry staples? This simple, coeliac-safe treat is my go-to. It’s perfect for bake sales, shared plates, or for when guests aren’t used to gluten-free food. Try it, you’ll love it! Ingredients: 125g butter (or dairy free spread) ¼ cup of cocoa … Read more
If you, your partner, or one of your children has coeliac disease, you may be worried about the rest of your family. If you’re been wondering about the likelihood of your children, or their siblings, developing coeliac disease’, here’s what you need to know… The odds are in your favour! If your child’s parent or … Read more
Coeliac disease has a hereditary component, which is why you’re more likely to develop coeliac disease if you have family members with the condition. More than 99% of people with coeliac disease have either the HLA-DQ2 or HLA-DQ8 gene (or parts of them), but these genes aren’t rare – in fact, around 30% of the … Read more
This gluten-free playdough recipe is quick and simple to make. The kids won’t notice the difference and you won’t panic if they take the odd lick! Ingredients: 1 cup white rice flour 1/2 cup cornflour 1/2 cup salt 1 Tbsp cream of tartar 1 Tbsp vegetable oil 1 cup warm water Food colouring, as desired … Read more
If gluten is a no-go for you, you would have come across your fair share of non-believers. Comments like, “There was no such thing in my day” and “Just a little bit won’t hurt” can wear you out, but are they true? Let’s have a look at the first of these — “There was no … Read more
A blood antibody test, ordered by your GP, is the first step in working out whether or not you have coeliac disease. If this is positive, you’ll be referred to a gastroenterologist, who will take biopsies from your small intestine to look at under a microscope in order to confirm the diagnosis. But, there’s one … Read more
Coeliac disease affects more than one in 70 New Zealanders. Increased awareness is what’s needed to help the estimated 57,000 New Zealanders who have coeliac disease but don’t know it. An autoimmune condition with symptoms triggered by the ingestion of gluten (a protein found in wheat, rye and barley), coeliac disease is thought to affect … Read more
If dairy causes you gut symptoms you’d rather forget, it may pay to delve a little deeper before saying goodbye to this highly nutritious food group. Unlike being allergic to dairy, which is always an immune-system reaction to the protein in cow’s milk, it’s possible to be intolerant to either the protein or the lactose … Read more