Simply Cook has become a popular choice for home cooks seeking convenience without sacrificing flavor. These kits provide pre-portioned spices, pastes, and seasonings, along with a recipe card, to help you create delicious meals at home. However, for those with dietary restrictions like a gluten intolerance or celiac disease, a crucial question remains: are Simply Cook's offerings genuinely gluten-free and safe to consume? This guide breaks down how Simply Cook addresses gluten-free needs, the necessary precautions to take, and how the service compares to other market options.
Understanding Simply Cook's Approach to Gluten-Free
Simply Cook caters to a variety of dietary preferences and offers a filtering option to help you find suitable recipes. When you select 'gluten-free' as a preference on their website or app, the system will exclude any recipe kits that contain gluten in their spice and paste mixes. The company provides detailed nutritional and allergen information for each recipe kit, which can be found online and on the packaging itself.
Unlike other meal delivery services that send pre-portioned fresh ingredients, Simply Cook requires you to purchase the main components yourself from a local store. This provides a level of control that is both beneficial and requires diligence for those on a strict gluten-free diet. For example, if a recipe calls for soy sauce, you must ensure you purchase a gluten-free variety. Similarly, if the dish requires a noodle or pasta component, it's your responsibility to source a certified gluten-free version.
Your Role in a Gluten-Free Simply Cook Meal
To successfully and safely use Simply Cook on a gluten-free diet, your participation is key. Here are the steps you should take:
- Filter your search: Always use the dedicated gluten-free filter when selecting your recipes. This is your first line of defense against receiving a kit containing gluten.
- Check the ingredients list: Before cooking, review the allergen information on the packaging and the website. The list clearly indicates the presence of allergens like gluten.
- Source your own ingredients carefully: Pay close attention to the shopping list. Ingredients like stock cubes, sauces, and condiments can often contain hidden gluten. Read the labels of all fresh ingredients you purchase to confirm they are suitable for your diet.
- Make smart substitutions: Adapt the recipes as needed. If a recipe calls for standard pasta or flour tortillas, swap them for a gluten-free alternative. This customization is a core benefit of the Simply Cook model.
Navigating Allergen Risks and Cross-Contamination
For individuals with celiac disease or severe gluten sensitivity, managing the risk of cross-contamination is paramount. While Simply Cook provides gluten-free options, their production facilities are not certified as exclusively gluten-free. This means there is a potential for trace amounts of gluten to be present in the factory environment, which could contaminate the kits.
Simply Cook explicitly states that they exclude kits containing selected allergens like gluten from your options, but they do not exclude recipes based on the fresh ingredients you buy yourself. They also handle other allergens, such as milk, soya, and nuts, in their facilities, so those with multiple sensitivities need to be especially careful. This differs significantly from services that are entirely certified gluten-free and prepare their meals in dedicated, allergen-free kitchens.
How Simply Cook Compares to Alternatives
To understand if Simply Cook is the right fit, it's helpful to compare its gluten-free offering with other services that provide meals for special diets.
| Feature | Simply Cook | Green Chef | Territory Foods |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gluten-Free Certification | Not Certified | Officially Certified GF by the Gluten Intolerance Group | Entirely GF Menu, with dedicated kitchen |
| Kitchen Facility | Not dedicated GF; handles allergens like gluten, milk, and soy | Dedicated, gluten-free facility for GF meals | Dedicated, 100% gluten-free kitchen |
| User Responsibility | High, you source fresh ingredients and must manage cross-contamination risks | Lower, ingredients are pre-measured and certified GF | Minimal, meals are ready-to-eat and certified GF |
| Fresh Ingredients | You purchase these separately from your chosen store | Included in the box and are certified organic | Included in the fully-prepared meal |
| Best For | Casual gluten-free diets, variety, and those who enjoy sourcing their own fresh items. | Strict gluten-free diets, celiac disease, organic preferences, and convenience. | Strict gluten-free diets, celiac disease, convenience, and locally-sourced meals. |
Top Tips for Ensuring Safety on a Gluten-Free Diet
For those who decide to use Simply Cook despite its limitations for severe gluten sensitivities, following these guidelines is crucial:
- Contact Customer Support: If you have any specific questions about a particular kit or ingredient, reach out to Simply Cook's customer support team at [email protected].
- Create a Dedicated Prep Area: If cross-contamination at home is a concern, designate a separate preparation area and use clean utensils and cutting boards for your gluten-free meals. This is especially important when using shared kitchen spaces.
- Embrace Naturally Gluten-Free: Many Simply Cook recipes are based on curries, stews, and stir-fries. Focus on recipes that naturally use rice, potatoes, or legumes, which simplifies the substitution process.
- Consider Gluten-Free-Only Alternatives: If you have Celiac disease, consider a 100% gluten-free meal service like Territory Foods, or a certified one like Green Chef, to eliminate cross-contamination concerns entirely.
- Understand Your Tolerance Level: If you have a severe reaction to trace amounts of gluten, Simply Cook's model may not be the safest choice due to the shared manufacturing environment. Always prioritize your health.
Conclusion: The Final Verdict on Are Simply Cook Gluten-Free?
So, are Simply Cook gluten-free? The answer is nuanced. Yes, Simply Cook offers a range of gluten-free recipe kits, providing a convenient and flavorful option for those who follow a gluten-free diet by choice or for minor sensitivities. The key is understanding that the company provides only the seasonings and pastes, leaving the responsibility of sourcing and substituting fresh, gluten-free ingredients to the consumer.
However, for individuals with celiac disease or a severe gluten intolerance, Simply Cook is not recommended due to the potential risk of cross-contamination in its shared manufacturing facility. In these cases, opting for a certified gluten-free service like Green Chef or a dedicated gluten-free menu service like Territory Foods is a safer and more reliable choice. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal health needs and tolerance for risk.
For more information on managing a gluten-free diet, the UK's coeliac society offers guidance on cooking at home and understanding ingredients.
