Morgan's top tips on the controversial world of the gluten free sandwich!
Morgan also known as 'How to Coeliac', has spent this year reviewing gluten free sandwiches from retailers and food venues across the UK. Through her honest and humorous social media posts, she’s shared both the highs and lows of her sandwich finds with the gluten free community.
In this blog, Morgan talks about her favourite sandwiches, the ones that didn’t quite make the cut, and tells us about her ideal festive gluten free sandwich. Plus, she shares one of her favourite #GlutenFreeChristmasMoments.
Exploring gluten free sandwiches:
Morgan has embraced the challenge of trying a wide range of gluten free sandwiches. From the best bites to some not-so-great experiences, her journey highlights the importance of variety and quality for those with coeliac disease and everyone living gluten free.
Q. What inspired you to review gluten free sandwiches from different retailers?
"I realised that many places were offering the same flavours, so I wanted to see if there were any differences, and which ones were the best. I did NOT expect to end up trying about 30 different cheese & tomato and egg & cress sandwiches – they get boring, real fast!"
Q. Which sandwich flavour has been your favourite so far, and what made it stand out?
"This year, my favourite was the M&S Cheddar Cheese New Yorker. Controversial, I know, because it’s packed with pickled cabbage, but I stand by it! It’s got great bread, a good amount of filling, and it’s full of flavour."
"As for festive sandwiches, the best one I’ve had so far was the Ham Hock Toastie from M&S – it was delicious. I just wish it was more widely available!"
Morgan’s top 10:
- M&S Cheddar Cheese New Yorker
- M&S Cafe Toastie
- M&S Christmas Turkey Sandwich & M&S Chicken Bacon
- WHSmith Cheese & Onion
- Soho Sandwich Ploughman’s
- WHSmith Lemon Chicken
- M&S Chicken Fajita wrap
- Soho Sandwich Chicken Salad
- WHSmith Chicken Bacon
- Cafe Nero Cheese Ploughman’s
Q. Were there any sandwiches that didn’t quite meet your expectations? Why?
"90% of them."
Why?
"Honestly, the bread usually lets them down. It crumbles away before I can finish the sandwich. And there’s just such a lack of seasoning – they can be so bland!"
Q. Are there any flavours or options you’d love to see more of in gluten free sandwiches?
"I’d love to see more gluten free coronation chicken or chickpea sandwiches. I’m also a big fan of simple options like ham and cheese, but we could definitely use more vegetarian options too!"
With Christmas coming up, we asked Morgan to get creative and describe her perfect gluten free Christmas sandwich.
"My perfect Christmas sandwich would include all the leftovers from Christmas dinner, packed between two slices of (hopefully sturdy) gluten free bread. I’m talking lamb or chicken, mint sauce, roast vegetables, gravy… I’d even put in a roast potato if I could find one that doesn’t fall apart!"
Q. Is there a festive ingredient/flavour you always look forward to at this time of year?
"I love panettone! I buy as many as I can during the festive months before it disappears in the new year. I’m also doing a free from mince pie taste test—so I’ll keep everyone posted on the results!
Morgan’s gluten free Christmas Moment
For many, Christmas brings unique challenges when managing a gluten free diet, but with the right planning and support, it can be made easier.
Q. Can you tell us about your favourite gluten free Christmas Moment?
"One of my favourite #GlutenFreeChristmasMoments would be my Grandma making her Christmas dinner entirely gluten free for me and my mum. She also lets me serve myself first, just in case—no favouritism, hehe!"
Q. What advice would you offer someone preparing for their first gluten free Christmas this year?
"My advice would be to check out what you would usually buy or make for Christmas dinner and see what things you need to swap out for gluten free versions - you might be surprised at how little you actually need to change!!"
Morgan’s reviews have been a great resource for the gluten free community, and we hope her insights offer festive inspiration for everyone! Whether you’re preparing for your first gluten free Christmas or simply looking for new ideas, Morgan’s journey is sure to provide some helpful tips.
Want more gluten free Christmas inspiration? Check out our festive recipes here