A Gluten Free Podcast

Episode 189

When you or a loved one is diagnosed with coeliac disease, it can feel like everything changes — food, social life, identity. That was my experience, and I know many of you can relate. In this solo episode, I want to explore how we can find inclusion, community and connection in our gluten free lives — and how we can support each other through it.

In This Episode, I Share:

• A story from last week’s guest Sonny Wells, who created Sonny’s Food, the world’s first gluten free fast food chain, after his own diagnosis
• A recent gluten close-call with my daughter, and how these moments remind us of the importance of community and support

Talking Points:

1. Acknowledge the Isolation
   It’s okay to grieve this life shift. Accepting the hard parts helps you move forward.
2. Redefine Inclusion
   True inclusion means building new spaces where your needs are fully respected.
3. Your Journey is Yours Alone
   Don’t compare. Your timeline and emotions are valid.
4. Find Your Community
   Online, in person, or through A Gluten Free Family — seek spaces where you feel understood.
5. Connect with People Who Get It
   Gluten free parents, teens, students, travellers — find your people.
6. Share Your Story
   Telling and hearing stories helps us feel less alone and more empowered.
7. Create New Traditions
   Whether it’s pizza night or a local GF event, make safe food moments fun.
8. Support Gluten Free Businesses
   They’re working for us — let’s return the favour with reviews, shares and support.
9. Advocate Together
   From petitions to policy, there’s power in numbers. We need each other’s voices.
10. Be a Connector
    Help others by listening, sharing resources, and being the support you wish you had.
11. You Belong Here
    You’re not alone. If you need connection, reach out — I’m here, and so is this community.

Next Week’s Episode:

🎉 I’ll be joined by Mel Persson (The Very Hungry Coeliac) to talk about her brand-new cookbook Gluten Free Feasts, life in the UK, and her ongoing food journey. You won’t want to miss it!

Want to Connect?

🌐 aglutenfreefamily.com
📩 DM or email me — I’d love to hear your story
⭐ Leave a review if this episode resonated
📣 Share with someone starting their gluten free journey

Disclaimer:

This podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The information shared is based on personal experiences and should not be considered medical or dietary advice. Always speak to a qualified healthcare professional before making any changes to your diet, medications or health routine.

Bask & Co make delicious gluten free porridge, granola and granola bars. Head to baskandco.com.au & use our code GFFAMILY to save 20% at checkout!

A Gluten Free Podcast

Episode 188

What if fast food could be 100% gluten free, safe for coeliacs, nut-free, and with dairy-free options too? That dream is becoming reality thanks to Sonny Wells, founder of Sonny’s Food, the UK-based startup gaining global attention — from the coeliac community and business leaders like Richard Branson, Simon Squibb, and Steven Bartlett.

In this episode, Sonny shares how his coeliac diagnosis over a decade ago led to a bold mission: to create a fully coeliac-safe fast food chain that makes gluten free dining fast, easy, and safe — without compromise. We talk about his personal journey, the challenges of being a male in the gluten free space, and how the idea for Sonny’s Food came to life.

🔍 In This Episode:

🌟 The Mission Behind Sonny’s Food

• What makes Sonny’s 100% coeliac-safe, nut-free & dairy-free adaptable
• Why it’s more than just a business — it’s a movement

📖 Coeliac Life & Diagnosis

• Sonny’s diagnosis story and life as a gluten free male
• Social impacts, stigma, and staying visible in the community

🇬🇧 Gluten Free in the UK

• Navigating food subsidies, postcode lotteries, and Coeliac UK’s support
• Is 13% of the UK gluten free?

🍔 Building the Brand

• The inspiration behind Sonny’s
• Menu plans, Coeliac UK accreditation, and price comparisons

🚀 Starting Up

• Fundraising, startup growth, and high-profile support
• Winning Simon Squibb’s pitch, meeting Richard Branson, and running into Steven Bartlett

💬 Community & Global Response

• Support from the coeliac community and beyond
• Could Sonny’s expand globally — even to Australia?

💡 One Chat That Changed Everything

• A moment that reminded Sonny why he started this journey

👏 Why It Matters:

If you’ve ever felt unsafe eating out, been glutened at a restaurant, or longed for more convenient options — this episode is for you. Sonny’s taking a personal struggle and turning it into a solution the whole community can benefit from.

🔗 Connect With Sonny’s Food:

Instagram: @sonnysfood

TikTok: @sonnysfood

Website: www.sonnysfood.com (Coming soon)

Email: investment@sonnysfood.com

⚠️ Disclaimer:

This podcast is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalised support.

Bask & Co make delicious gluten free porridge, granola and granola bars. Head to baskandco.com.au & use our code GFFAMILY to save 20% at checkout!

A Gluten Free Podcast

Episode 187

This week, we’re flipping the script on how we think about coeliac disease and gluten free living. What if we approached it like a scientist?

I’ve spoken with leading experts like Dr Jason Tye-Din, Olivia Moscatelli and Andrew Williams — all scientists who use trial, error, and objectivity to explore the unknown. While we may not be in a lab, we can use their mindset to navigate our own gluten free lives.

🔍 What Does It Mean to Think Like a Scientist?

Scientists stay curious, objective, and open to being wrong. That mindset can transform how we approach coeliac disease.

Here’s how:

1️⃣ Experimentation
Try new recipes, test restaurant strategies, make mistakes — and learn. Every "failure" is data to refine your approach.

2️⃣ Collecting Data & Problem Solving
Use existing knowledge: trusted resources, recipes, support groups, symptoms tracking, health checklists. Others have done the legwork — tap into that.

3️⃣ Continuous Learning & Staying Objective
Even world-leading experts stay curious and humble. We should too. Let go of ego, embrace new information, and keep evolving.

💡 Why This Matters
Coeliac life can feel restrictive, but a scientific mindset brings flexibility, curiosity and growth. You don’t need to be perfect — just open to learning.

🔜 Next Week
We’re speaking with someone revolutionising gluten free fast food. He’s launching the world’s first dedicated GF fast food chain in the UK. It’s an inspiring story of experimentation and persistence — you won’t want to miss it.

🧪 Final Thought
You don’t need a lab coat to think like a scientist. Just curiosity, resilience, and a willingness to grow.

🔗 Mentioned in this episode

Episode with Anthony Dionne - How To Dine Out Safely With Coeliac Disease

Understanding the 'may contain gluten' statement blog post

Follow up testing and management for coeliac disease

A Gluten Free Podcast Facebook Group

📬 Stay connected:
Instagram: @a.gffamily
Email: aglutenfreefamily@gmail.com

Please subscribe, share, or leave a review — it really helps grow our coeliac and gluten free community.

⚠️ This podcast reflects personal experiences and is not medical advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for individual guidance.

Bask & Co make delicious gluten free porridge, granola and granola bars. Head to baskandco.com.au & use our code GFFAMILY to save 20% at checkout!