Product Review
Enjoy Celiac-Friendly Treats with GluteNull
Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that involves an abnormal immune response when an individual consumes gliadin, a protein found in gluten. This damages the microscopic villi that line the inner wall of the small intestine, which reduces the body’s ability to absorb enough nutrients from food, leading to symptoms such as iron deficiency anemia, weight loss, fatigue, diarrhea, cramps, irritability, and skin problems.
Currently, the only way to manage celiac disease is to follow a gluten-free (GF) diet. This means avoiding any food or liquids containing trace amounts of gliadin, as even a single molecule can trigger harmful reactions. Although this lifestyle change is significant, following it exactly can lead to symptom improvement and intestinal healing as soon as three months from initiating the changes.
GluteNull
GluteNull is a family-owned business based in Port Coquitlam, British Columbia, specializing in an array of gluten-free and vegan baked goods made with simple, natural ingredients. The main stars of their product selection are their breads, featuring buckwheat – which is their most popular – amaranth, and quinoa. All their breads are also yeast-free and have a shelf life of 10 days at room temperature but can be stored in the fridge or freezer for extended freshness.
GluteNull also offers an assortment of granolas, cookies, and energy bars. Their products contain no preservatives, filler additives, refined sugars, or genetically modified organisms (GMOs), and some are suitable for individuals following a keto or paleo diet.
Staff hand-package each product, and they make the products without the use of high-energy mixers to allow for a long fermentation process. GluteNull also crafts each element of their treats in-house, such as their chocolates, and they strive to source ingredients that are of high quality.
Founded in 2011 by Otari Kobalia, GluteNull consists of a small but mighty team of 10-12 dedicated individuals who have been working there for many years. The GI Society had the opportunity to visit their headquarters and the pleasure of meeting some of their staff, including Mr. Kobalia himself, who was concocting new recipes on the second floor of the facility. Having immigrated from Sokhumi, Georgia in 1996, and a vegetarian since the 1980s, Mr. Kobalia shared that the inspiration behind GluteNull stemmed from seeing a need for delicious and nutritious GF options. You can also see the cultural influences of his Georgian heritage in some of the products they offer.
GluteNull products are available in retail stores across Canada, such as Whole Foods, Safeway, Healthy Planet, London Drugs, and Les Marchés Tau (Quebec). The GluteNull Online Store also offers delivery within Canada and to the US.
With a wide variety of baked goods, GluteNull is a great option for individuals navigating diverse dietary needs, such as those living with celiac disease or yeast allergies. To learn more, visit glutenull.com.
Save your receipts!
Did you know that gluten-free products are an eligible medical expense for your tax return? If you have a certificate or a letter from your doctor stating that you must follow a GF diet because of celiac disease, you can claim the incremental costs of a GF product on your T1 individual tax return. To calculate the incremental costs, subtract the cost of a non-GF product from the cost of a GF product. Eligible products are only those marketed specifically for GF diets.
First published in the Inside Tract® newsletter issue 230 – 2024
Note: This article is for information purposes only. Neither the Gastrointestinal Society nor the CSIR have received remuneration from GluteNull to write this article.