As one of the free-from brands helping to lead the way to tastier and easier free-from eating, we've heard lots of myths and misconceptions about this diet. But what does free-from mean? Well, we're here to set the record straight.

Free-from food is just as tasty as regular food, and we're proof of that. Whether you're asking the question because you yourself have to go free-from, or you want to understand more about the diet for someone close to you, we're here to help. 

Let's start debunking some of the most common (and most bizarre) free-from food myths.

    What Does Free From Mean in Food?

    While there's no 'official' term, it's easy to define. Free-from foods are foods that don’t contain one or more of the top 14 allergens – in other words, it's free from ingredients such as gluten, dairy, eggs, or nuts.

    People with intolerances, like gluten allergies, coeliac disease, egg allergies, or dairy intolerances, will need to follow a free-from diet so that they don't consume any of their allergens.

Myth 1: All Free-From Foods Taste Bad

This is definitely something we've heard one too many times – and utterly false!

We must admit, however, that, in the past, free-from foods didn't taste quite as they do today. They had a reputation for being crumbly or dry or a bit stodgy. But, the free-from world has come a long way since then, with brands and food companies like us using new food science and tasty recipes to transform the free-from food market.

Take our free-from cakes and snacks, for example. Our team has put a whole lot of love and time into developing our recipes, ensuring every bite is delicious, indulgent, and just plain yummy. We only use carefully sourced ingredients, like gluten-free flour from certified mills, real dark Belgian chocolate, and pure vanilla extracts, to make sure every morsel is packed with flavour.

We believe no one should miss out on the joys of everyday life, so sacrificing taste to follow a free-from diet definitely isn't something we believe in – and it certainly isn't something you have to put up with anymore!

Myth 2: A Free-From Diet Means You Can Only Eat Bland Food 

You can have just as diverse and flavoursome a diet as before; it's just about discovering new recipes

Restaurants, pubs, cafes, and other food outlets are increasingly offering free-from options – you'll often see them marked up with a GF initial for gluten-free or DF for dairy-free.

And when it comes to eating at home, you'll find a bunch of free-from foods in dedicated aisles in the supermarkets. Lots of your favourite foods and cupboard staples will come in free-from versions, like gluten-free pasta, plant-based milk, and, of course, free-from cakes. Our range includes whole cakes, traybakes, biscuits, and much, much more, so you don't have to miss out on any of the fun stuff.

Where to Find Free-From Food

We're stocked in some of the UK's biggest supermarkets, like Tesco, Sainsbury's and Morrisons, but you can also find us in local farm shops and cafes. 

You can also order our products from our online shop to have them delivered straight to your home throughout the UK.

Myth 3: Foods Labelled With "May Contain" Are Safe to Eat

If you've just started your free-from journey or you're one to pay attention to food packaging, you might have noticed a label that reads "May Contain Gluten" or "May Contain Nuts", for example.

It's really important that you steer clear of any foods that you see this statement on when you are avoiding foods due to an allergy or intolerance  This is because the food manufacturer has noted that while they do not include the product as an ingredient there may be traces of the allergen present in the product you are about to buy.

For example, the food may have been produced in a factory that also makes products which contain these allergens and could have come into contact with traces of an allergen in this environment. So, you shouldn't take this with a grain of salt.

Our bespoke bakery in the heart of Scotland is entirely free from wheat, dairy, gluten, eggs, and nuts, and we operate a regular rolling allergen testing procedure to guarantee the highest level of safety and quality for all our customers.

Myth 4: Gluten is Only in Bread

Gluten is actually found in lots of different types of foods, not just those containing wheat. Gluten can be found in many grains, including barley, rye, spelt and oats, as well as wheat. It's also present in other processed products like beer, sauces, dressings, and sweet foods.

So, if you're going gluten-free, you'll need to do more than just swap out your weekly loaf of bread.

Myth 5: Foods Labelled as "Lactose-Free" Means Dairy-Free

Distinguishing the difference between dairy-free and lactose-free foods is important to note. Lactose-free food doesn't mean dairy-free; it just means the lactose content is removed from dairy food.

On the other hand, dairy-free means that the products don't contain any dairy. So, lactose-free foods aren't safe for people with dairy intolerances – instead, stick to foods that are clearly labelled as dairy-free.

Our cakes and snacks are safe for those with dairy and lactose intolerances, so you can enjoy a guilt-free treat and be confident that you're eating safely.

Summary: What Free-From Actually Means

So, to sum it all up simply – free-from foods are free from allergens such as gluten, wheat, eggs, dairy, and nuts, and they certainly aren't as restrictive as many people think. The free-from food market is more diverse than ever before, offering delicious, safe and convenient options for those with dietary intolerances.

With Lazy Day, you can have your free-from cake and eat it because you should never have to miss out on delicious treats! You can read more about our free-from commitment or explore our entire range today. And if you ever have any questions on the free-from nature of our bakes, please don't hesitate to get in touch.

FAQs

  • Free-from foods don't contain one or more of the top 14 allergen – this can include gluten, dairy, eggs, or nuts.

  • All of our cakes and snacks are free-from, like our award-winning Celebration Chocolate Cake, Mini Vic The Vegan Caterpillar Cakes, and Salted Caramel Crispies. You'll also find biscuits, granola, and a bunch of other indulgent treats in our range.

  • Free-from food is made without one or more of the top 14 allergens, such as gluten, eggs, dairy, or nuts. They also may not include other allergens like soya and celery, but always check the label.