For Londoners living with coeliac disease or gluten intolerance, maintaining a gluten-free diet isn’t a choice but a medical necessity. However, as food prices increase, many are feeling the financial burden like never before.
The Office of National Statistics calculated that the price of food and alcoholic beverages has increased by more than a quarter since January 2023. On average, gluten-free staples like bread and pasta can cost double or even triple the regular equivalent. These staples are also more difficult to get a hold of than foods that contain gluten.
£1.20 v £3.50: The gluten-free price gap
The standard loaf of bread costs on average £1.20 while its gluten-free counterpart can exceed £3.50, according to Coeliac UK. Other staple items such as pasta and cereals have a similar price difference. These costs can quickly add up causing many to be priced out of buying the gluten-free foods they need. Particularly in a city where food prices are already the highest in the UK.
Coeliac UK found those buying gluten-free products are paying up to 35% more for their weekly shop.
A gluten-free weekly shop is 35% more expensive than a standard one? For those with coeliac disease or gluten intolerance, it’s not a choice but a necessity—adding financial strain to the challenges they already face. Source: Coeliac UK
The average price for a standard weekly shop is £29.99, whereas its gluten-free alternative amounts to almost double at £43.54. Coeliac UK also found that almost 80% of those living with coeliac disease or a gluten intolerance struggle to afford basic gluten-free products.
Maddie’s Story
Maddie, a university student who moved to London in September, says she would need to spend at least £20 extra on her weekly shop to buy gluten-free products.“The financial strain inadvertently effects other areas of my life and I’ll see physical and mental side effects that increase my stress. It just starts a vicious cycle”
‘Even buying bread is considered a luxury to me’
Ellie, a 24-year-old pharmacist at Guy’s and St Thomas in London, was diagnosed with coeliac disease three years ago.
Ellie, opens up about her struggle of finding affordable gluten-free options.
She has no safe alternative to a gluten-free diet and must foot the cost. Telling City News that “even buying bread is considered a luxury to me, I have to spend about £4 to buy a very small loaf of bread. However, it’s not just bread and pasta, I’ve noticed that bourbon biscuits cost me £2 while regular ones cost £0.62.”
‘Was told they don’t offer it South East London’
In the past, NHS prescriptions for gluten-free essentials like bread and pasta provide a financial safety net for many.
Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) are responsible for commissioning the service locally in England. The gluten-free prescription is limited to bread and flour mixes only, however, some local areas may have varying restrictions. Some local ICBs limit what is available based on age and factors like pregnancy.
However, in recent years these prescriptions have been rolled back or entirely eliminated in many boroughs of London. Moreover, in a wider context across England ICBs have reduced their availability and support by almost three quarters since 2016.
I used to receive gluten-free prescription in Scotland, but was told they don’t offer it South East London
Ellie
For Evie, living gluten-free means balancing her health needs with the financial strain of buying specialised foods.
For Evie, a 22-year-old student based in London living with coeliac disease, knows first-hand the challenges of being gluten-free in one of the most expensive cities in the world. “I don’t have it myself (gluten-free prescriptions) as it is not really a viable option for me, and it can be very difficult as a student who doesn’t have much money, being gluten-free.”
Gluten-free prescriptions in England, as well as London specifically operate by providing these products in bulk. So many people living in the capital who are required to be gluten-free like Evie don’t have the living situation to be able to store large amounts of food. This is despite it being a cost-effective solution.
City News contacted all of London’s ICBs for comment but they have yet to respond.
Campaigns for Change
Advocacy campaigns like Coeliac UK, have long campaigned for policy change to take the burden away from individuals and families. These proposals include:
Restoring the NHS gluten-free prescription
Supporting access to gluten-free food out of the home
Raising awareness with the public and media
Tristan Humphreys, Head of Advocacy at Coeliac UK, sees this as an ongoing dilemma for too many people across the country.
In terms of solutions, Coeliac UK believe that it requires action from both government and industry to combat the lived reality for those who are gluten-free detailed in the report.
We hope that the stark realities laid out in the report coupled with welcome support from stakeholders can provide a catalyst for meaningful change
Tristan Humphrey, Head of Advocacy
‘Coeliac people have been forced into situations where they have to forget the only treatment that makes them better’
Nick Trott, a gastroenterology dietitian at the Royal Hospital of Hallamshire, examined the findings of Coeliac UK report. He found that for many patients the only effective treatment for their condition is a strict gluten free diet, which they struggle to afford. Ensuring the affordability of gluten free food is essential for their wellbeing.
Digestive system specialist, Dr Gerry Robins, describes the current situation as a significant public health issue that requires urgent action. Speaking to City News, saying that “people have a right to high quality nutrition at reasonable price. Unfortunately, significant numbers of coeliac people have been forced into situations where they have to forget the only treatment that makes them better.”
‘Has really affected my mental health’
For many Londoners living with coeliac disease or gluten intolerance means every meal comes with hidden costs.
Navigating a gluten-free lifestyle means facing higher prices every time I shop—essentials that cost so much more than the regular options.
To Claudia, the constant struggle and stress of being gluten-free has drastically changed the way she lives and leaves her feeling isolated. Shared with City News that she “didn’t realise how much social situations rely on food and not having the ability, has really affected my mental health, people don’t understand the financial burden, they just think of it in terms of food.”
The challenges of being gluten-free extend beyond just the physical demands of the diet. Coeliac UK found that in 2024, 7 out of 10 of those surveyed, responded that shopping for gluten-free food negatively affects their quality of life.
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HeadlineThe high cost of gluten-free living: Londoners speak out
Short HeadlineThe gluten-free struggle: The increasing cost and need for support
StandfirstLondoners living with coeliac disease and gluten intolerance are facing personal health struggles while calling for government support.
For Londoners living with coeliac disease or gluten intolerance, maintaining a gluten-free diet isn’t a choice but a medical necessity. However, as food prices increase, many are feeling the financial burden like never before.
The Office of National Statistics calculated that the price of food and alcoholic beverages has increased by more than a quarter since January 2023. On average, gluten-free staples like bread and pasta can cost double or even triple the regular equivalent. These staples are also more difficult to get a hold of than foods that contain gluten.
£1.20 v £3.50: The gluten-free price gap
The standard loaf of bread costs on average £1.20 while its gluten-free counterpart can exceed £3.50, according to Coeliac UK. Other staple items such as pasta and cereals have a similar price difference. These costs can quickly add up causing many to be priced out of buying the gluten-free foods they need. Particularly in a city where food prices are already the highest in the UK.
Coeliac UK found those buying gluten-free products are paying up to 35% more for their weekly shop.
A gluten-free weekly shop is 35% more expensive than a standard one? For those with coeliac disease or gluten intolerance, it’s not a choice but a necessity—adding financial strain to the challenges they already face. Source: Coeliac UK
The average price for a standard weekly shop is £29.99, whereas its gluten-free alternative amounts to almost double at £43.54. Coeliac UK also found that almost 80% of those living with coeliac disease or a gluten intolerance struggle to afford basic gluten-free products.
Maddie’s Story
Maddie, a university student who moved to London in September, says she would need to spend at least £20 extra on her weekly shop to buy gluten-free products.“The financial strain inadvertently effects other areas of my life and I’ll see physical and mental side effects that increase my stress. It just starts a vicious cycle”
‘Even buying bread is considered a luxury to me’
Ellie, a 24-year-old pharmacist at Guy’s and St Thomas in London, was diagnosed with coeliac disease three years ago.
Ellie, opens up about her struggle of finding affordable gluten-free options.
She has no safe alternative to a gluten-free diet and must foot the cost. Telling City News that “even buying bread is considered a luxury to me, I have to spend about £4 to buy a very small loaf of bread. However, it’s not just bread and pasta, I’ve noticed that bourbon biscuits cost me £2 while regular ones cost £0.62.”
‘Was told they don’t offer it South East London’
In the past, NHS prescriptions for gluten-free essentials like bread and pasta provide a financial safety net for many.
Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) are responsible for commissioning the service locally in England. The gluten-free prescription is limited to bread and flour mixes only, however, some local areas may have varying restrictions. Some local ICBs limit what is available based on age and factors like pregnancy.
However, in recent years these prescriptions have been rolled back or entirely eliminated in many boroughs of London. Moreover, in a wider context across England ICBs have reduced their availability and support by almost three quarters since 2016.
I used to receive gluten-free prescription in Scotland, but was told they don’t offer it South East London
Ellie
For Evie, living gluten-free means balancing her health needs with the financial strain of buying specialised foods.
For Evie, a 22-year-old student based in London living with coeliac disease, knows first-hand the challenges of being gluten-free in one of the most expensive cities in the world. “I don’t have it myself (gluten-free prescriptions) as it is not really a viable option for me, and it can be very difficult as a student who doesn’t have much money, being gluten-free.”
Gluten-free prescriptions in England, as well as London specifically operate by providing these products in bulk. So many people living in the capital who are required to be gluten-free like Evie don’t have the living situation to be able to store large amounts of food. This is despite it being a cost-effective solution.
City News contacted all of London’s ICBs for comment but they have yet to respond.
Campaigns for Change
Advocacy campaigns like Coeliac UK, have long campaigned for policy change to take the burden away from individuals and families. These proposals include:
Restoring the NHS gluten-free prescription
Supporting access to gluten-free food out of the home
Raising awareness with the public and media
Tristan Humphreys, Head of Advocacy at Coeliac UK, sees this as an ongoing dilemma for too many people across the country.
In terms of solutions, Coeliac UK believe that it requires action from both government and industry to combat the lived reality for those who are gluten-free detailed in the report.
We hope that the stark realities laid out in the report coupled with welcome support from stakeholders can provide a catalyst for meaningful change
Tristan Humphrey, Head of Advocacy
‘Coeliac people have been forced into situations where they have to forget the only treatment that makes them better’
Nick Trott, a gastroenterology dietitian at the Royal Hospital of Hallamshire, examined the findings of Coeliac UK report. He found that for many patients the only effective treatment for their condition is a strict gluten free diet, which they struggle to afford. Ensuring the affordability of gluten free food is essential for their wellbeing.
Digestive system specialist, Dr Gerry Robins, describes the current situation as a significant public health issue that requires urgent action. Speaking to City News, saying that “people have a right to high quality nutrition at reasonable price. Unfortunately, significant numbers of coeliac people have been forced into situations where they have to forget the only treatment that makes them better.”
‘Has really affected my mental health’
For many Londoners living with coeliac disease or gluten intolerance means every meal comes with hidden costs.
Navigating a gluten-free lifestyle means facing higher prices every time I shop—essentials that cost so much more than the regular options.
To Claudia, the constant struggle and stress of being gluten-free has drastically changed the way she lives and leaves her feeling isolated. Shared with City News that she “didn’t realise how much social situations rely on food and not having the ability, has really affected my mental health, people don’t understand the financial burden, they just think of it in terms of food.”
The challenges of being gluten-free extend beyond just the physical demands of the diet. Coeliac UK found that in 2024, 7 out of 10 of those surveyed, responded that shopping for gluten-free food negatively affects their quality of life.
