KEY POINTS:
Every second person you meet seems to be shunning gluten. For those with the intestinal-inflammatory condition coeliac disease - which affects about 1 in 100 New Zealanders - wheat, barley, rye and oat products are all no-nos because of their gluten content. Others cut out gluten or wheat because of allergies, or other health reasons.
As Coeliac Awareness Week approaches (May 24-30; coeliac sufferers will run library stands to share information), here are five shops and brands making gluten-free eating painless and tasty.
MARX BAKERY
New Zealand's first gluten-and-wheat-free bakery - it also caters to dairy avoiders - is well-loved for delicious gourmet breads like herb-and-olive, pita, baguettes, paninis, bagels and burger buns.
The orange-and-almond cake is to die for, and there are dozens more cakes, biscuits, slices, scones, lamingtons, muffins and pies (including fruit and vegetarian).
Constantly expanding its offerings, internationally experienced baker Mark Stevenson toils on-site at 15 Maskell St, St Heliers Bay, www.marxbakery.co.nz or ph (09) 575 4472.
HEALTHERIES
Healtheries' chocolate fudge steamed pudding is seriously addictive, rich and moist, just like mum used to make. Not eating gluten is no reason to miss out on decadence.
The twin-pack puddings, one of 18 products in Healtheries' gluten and wheat-free Simple range, are designed in consultation with the Coeliac Societies of New Zealand and Australia (big ups to Healtheries for sponsoring Coeliac Awareness Week).
As well as the staples - three types of pasta, bread and baking mixes, hot and cold cereals - there's biscuits, puddings, and yummy regular and indulgent snack bars.
You can find the range in health stores and most supermarkets; see www.healtheries.co.nz
GLUTEN FREE GOODIES
When Hamiltonian Judy McDonald was frustrated trying to find good gluten-free food, she decided that to "make gluten-free eating a pleasure, not a punishment" she'd need to make her own products. Enter the Gluten Free Goodies Company and its pour-and-stir mixes.
If you haven't yet found a combination of ingredients that performs like wheat flour, try Judy Mc Donald's flour mix for a delicious, airy loaf.
You can also whip up delicious cakes, biscuits, muffins, pizza, pastry, pancakes, pikelets, waffles and scones, all using her controlled-rising baking powder.
Pick them up in health-food stores nationwide, or order from www.glutenfreegoodies.co.nz, ph (07) 855 2019.
IE PRODUCE
Find all the gluten-free products you could possibly eat under one roof at organic store IE Produce.
With more than 1000 wheat-and gluten-free products, including speciality products for diabetics and dairy avoiders, it's New Zealand's biggest gluten-free range.
Joyce and Phillip Lowyim have stacked their shelves with pancake, custard and muffin mixes, breads, pizza, pastry and pasta, and most other foods imaginable.
While you're there you can browse organic and eco books, and pick up your fresh fruit and veges. Or fill up your shopping cart online and have it delivered to your door.
During Coeliac Awareness Week, IE Produce will have a gluten-free-foods display and offer food tastings.
No 1 Barrys Point Rd, Takapuna. www.ieproduce.com, email joyce@ieproduce.com or ph (09) 488 0211.
NTOLERANCE
If you're looking for food that is gluten-free, wheat-free, dairy-free, egg-free, nut-free, sugar-free, soy-free or yeast-free, Ntolerance is the top one-stop shop for allergen-free foods.
Owner Sue Egbers' coeliac son Matthew, undiagnosed and very ill for many years, still reacted badly to small amounts of gluten in safe foods once diagnosed.
That was Egbers' inspiration for obtaining hundreds of products - all the staples plus gluten-free sauces, soups, spreads, and sweeteners.
It's one of the few places you can find gluten-free tortillas and pretzels, and browse overseas advice and recipe books.
Order at www.ntolerance.co.nz or visit 5c Glasgow Road, Pukekohe, ph (09) 238 2323, mail@ntolerance.co.nn
* Coeliac Awareness Week is May 24-30
