Let’s be honest: a lot of free-from products can be full of ‘extra’ ingredients that aren’t particularly natural or good for you. (Just like vegan products contain so much non-organic soy based ingredients and wheat).
Not all of them. But enough that you’ve probably spent a small fortune on things that ended up in the bin after one bite.
Gluten free bread that crumbles into dust. Dairy-free cheese that doesn’t melt and tastes like rubber. Biscuits with the texture of sawdust. We’ve all been there.
Some free-from products are actually good. Like, genuinely good. Not “good for free-from” – just good.
You just need to know which ones are worth your money.
The gluten-free bread situation
Gluten free bread is a minefield. I’ve spent my wages through all the brands I can tell you. Most of it is either weirdly sweet, falls apart when you look at it, or has the consistency of a kitchen sponge.
After years of trial and error, here’s what I’ve learned:
Toast it. Always. Even if you’re making a sandwich. A quick toast transforms mediocre gluten free bread into something actually edible.
Brands that don’t suck:
- M&S Made Without Bloomer slices are thick and tasty – so pretty decent
- Good Grain Bakery bread is good
- Gluten free Bakery bagels are delicious, easy to toast and taste great.
- Genius is pretty reliable (the seeded brown is decent)
- Schär does a proper sourdough that’s actually nice
- BFree wraps are better than their bread, honestly
- Warburtons gluten-free toger bloomer isn’t bad if you can find it
- Wholecreations pizza is ok
- White rabbit gluten free and dairy free pizza is great for freezer and pull it out when needed.
- Jus-roll gluten free ready rolled puff pastry is my go-to for pies, and sausage rolls.
Things to avoid:
- Anything that lists rice flour as the first three ingredients and nothing else
- Own-brand supermarket loaves (with some exceptions – Sainsbury’s isn’t terrible)
- Bread that costs £4 and has five slices in it
Store it in the freezer and toast it from frozen. It’ll last longer and taste better.
Dairy free milk: the hierarchy
Not all plant milks are created equal, and what works in coffee absolutely will not work in tea.
For coffee: (if you drink it – I don’t) Barista Oat milk by Plenish wins. Specifically barista oat milk – that’s made without vegetable oils. (Plenish wins here.). It froths, it doesn’t split, it doesn’t taste weird.
For tea: This is trickier. Oat milk can be too sweet. Almond milk is too watery. Soya milk… depends on the brand. Plenish Almond milk is spot on.
Honest answer? You might just have to accept that tea will taste different now. Or drink it black. Or switch to coffee.
For cereal: Oat milk or soya. Almond milk makes everything taste like wet almonds.
For cooking: Coconut milk (the tinned stuff) for curries and sauces.
Cheese: lower your expectations, then find the decent ones
Dairy free cheese is where most people lose hope. I’ve tried the Aldi and Lidl brands. Sheeze, Viola and more.
Because let’s be clear: it’s not cheese. It will never be cheese. If you go in expecting cheddar, you will be sad.
But if you adjust your expectations, some of them are… fine.
For pizza: Violife mozzarella shreds actually melt. It’s not authentic, but it’s melted and that’s what matters.
For sandwiches: Honestly? Skip it. Just load up on other fillings. Meat, fish, prawns, mayo (check it doesn’t have milk in it) Hummus, avocado, tomatoes, good quality ham or chicken. You won’t miss the cheese as much as you think.
For cooking: Nutritional yeast is your friend. It’s not cheese, but it gives you that savoury, umami thing. Good in pasta, on popcorn, in sauces.
Things that definitely don’t work:
- Dairy free cream cheese (it’s just… no)
- Most dairy free parmesan (tastes like feet)
- Any cheese that claims to be “artisan” and costs £6 for a tiny block
Pasta and noodles: the easy wins
Good news: there are some good gluten free pasta brands once you buy the right kind. check my IG feed for brands I use in cooking or ping me an email on the Contact page and i’ll share my list. Oh actually, just download my GF DF shopping list free download (it comes up as a pop up on my website Homepage)
Rice noodles are brilliant. They cook fast, taste normal, and work in stir fries, soups, salads.
Gluten free pasta has come a long way. Brands like Barilla, Doves Farm, and even supermarket own-brands are fine. They’re not quite the same texture, but cooked properly (don’t overcook them), they’re decent.
Chickpea or lentil pasta is worth trying. Higher protein, actually tastes good, and the texture is pretty close to normal pasta.
Chocolate: yes, there are good options
Most dark chocolate is naturally dairy free. Check the label, but generally anything 70% and above is safe.
Brands that are reliably good:
- Hu chocolate is my 10000% favourite.
- Green & Blacks 70% (check the label, but usually fine)
- Booja Booja – amazing choclate
The trick: don’t buy anything that’s trying too hard to be milk chocolate. It won’t be. Just embrace dark chocolate.
Yoghurt: coconut wins
Coconut yoghurt is legitimately good. Not “good for dairy free” – actually good.
Nush is great
Cocos tubes are handy
Coconut Collaborative is probably the best. Creamy, not too sweet, works with fruit and granola.
Alpro yoghurts (soya or coconut) are fine. A lot of sugar in. Bit sweeter than I’d like, but they do the job.
Avoid: anything almond-based. It’s just sad and watery.
Sauces and condiments: read everything
This is where hidden dairy and gluten love to hide.
Safe bets:
- Most mustards
- Basic ketchup (Heinz is fine)
- Tamari (gluten free soy sauce)
- Coconut aminos
- Plain mayo (Hellmann’s, usually – but check)
Always check:
- Stock cubes (most have wheat or milk)
- Gravy granules (nearly always have both)
- Pasta sauces (loads have cream or cheese)
- Curry pastes (check for fish sauce and shrimp paste if you’re avoiding those too)
Make your own where you can. It’s easier than you think and tastes better anyway.
Ice cream: the pleasant surprise
Dairy free ice cream has actually got really good.
Brands that slap:
- Booja Booja (expensive but proper luxurious)
- Jude’s (if you can find it)
- Swedish Glace (classic, reliable but lots of sugar in it, not ideal)
Honestly, some of these are better than regular ice cream.
The real lesson
You’ll waste money figuring out what works for you. That’s just part of it.
But once you’ve found your reliable brands, shopping gets so much easier.
Keep a note on your phone of what you’ve tried and what’s worth rebuying. Future you will thank you.
And remember: just because it’s free-from doesn’t mean you have to buy it. If it’s rubbish, it’s rubbish.
You deserve food that actually tastes good.
Use the YUKA app to scan packets to see the nutritional content and get a score. 70% and above is usually good.
