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Gluten Free in WA

Gluten Free seems to be becoming an increasingly popular way to eat – which can only be a great thing. Gluten appears to not be tolerated well by a significant number of people – far more than realise they have an issue with it.

A Paleo diet is gluten-free, so would seem to be the ideal solution for Coeliacs. I was disappointed by the complete lack of Paleo food at the Sydney Gluten-free expo – everything was processed and contained grains and legumes.

Another Gluten Free expo has been announced for 17th & 18th March 2012, in Perth, WA. Hopefully this one will be a bit more Paleo friendly?

Why Gluten-Free Doesn’t Always Mean Healthy

While gluten-free diets have become increasingly popular in Australia and globally, the reality is that “gluten-free” does not automatically mean “healthy” – or even “Paleo-friendly.” Many processed gluten-free products on the market rely heavily on refined starches (like potato, corn, and rice flour), seed oils, gums, sugars, and preservatives. In other words, they’re still ultra-processed foods – just without the gluten.

This is one of the biggest misconceptions people make when they switch to a gluten-free lifestyle. They assume that swapping regular bread for gluten-free bread or eating gluten-free biscuits is automatically a health upgrade. But in most cases, these products are just as inflammatory and disruptive to your gut as the gluten-filled versions they’re replacing.

A true Paleo approach to gluten-free living focuses on real food: meats, vegetables, nuts, seeds, healthy fats, and minimal natural sugars. No labels needed.

Paleo vs. Gluten-Free: What’s the Difference?

While there’s certainly some crossover between the gluten-free and Paleo communities, they are not the same thing.

Gluten-Free means avoiding the gluten protein found in wheat, rye, and barley. But it often still includes grains (like rice and corn), legumes, seed oils, dairy, and processed foods.
Paleo is about eliminating foods that weren’t available to our ancestors before agriculture – meaning no grains (gluten or otherwise), no legumes, no dairy, no refined seed oils, and no processed foods. Instead, the focus is on nutrient-dense, anti-inflammatory whole foods.

In short, Paleo is automatically gluten-free – but gluten-free is definitely not automatically Paleo.

Perth’s Growing Paleo Scene

While Sydney and Melbourne have traditionally led the way with Paleo meetups and events, Perth has seen increasing interest in ancestral health in recent years. A number of local health professionals, CrossFit boxes, and nutrition coaches are now recommending Paleo-style approaches for managing autoimmune issues, gut health problems, and metabolic conditions.

If you’re in Perth or regional WA and struggling to find like-minded people or quality Paleo food options, here are a few ideas:

Check Local Farmers Markets: Markets like Subiaco, Fremantle, and Stirling have fantastic seasonal produce and sometimes offer pasture-raised meats, organic eggs, and small-batch ferments and broths.
Join Paleo Facebook Groups or Meetups in WA: There are a growing number of WA-based groups sharing recipes, product finds, and restaurant recommendations.
Ask at CrossFit Gyms: Many CrossFit communities in WA support a Paleo-friendly ethos and may host local potlucks or educational seminars.
DIY Paleo Staples: Given the lack of Paleo products in many gluten-free expos and mainstream shops, the DIY route (like making your own bone broth, granola, or nut milk) is often the healthiest and most affordable option.

What to Look For at Gluten-Free Expos (Through a Paleo Lens)

While it’s easy to be disappointed by the wall-to-wall gluten-free muffins and crackers at expos, they can still offer some value if you know what to look for:

Check the Ingredients First: Always flip the product over and check the label. If you see sugar, rice flour, canola oil, corn syrup, or any kind of starch or gum – it’s probably not Paleo.
Look for Whole Food Vendors: Some expos include stalls selling grass-fed jerky, pasture-raised meat boxes, kombucha, sauerkraut, nut butters, and other Paleo-friendly goodies. These are the gems.
Talk to Local Producers: Many small WA-based food producers are experimenting with clean, whole food recipes. You might inspire them to release a Paleo version of a product if they hear there's demand.
Find Useful Tools: Some stalls sell gadgets for spiralising veggies, fermenting kits, or low-toxin cooking equipment – all of which can support a healthier, Paleo lifestyle at home.

What We’d Love to See at a Truly Paleo-Friendly Expo

If WA hosts another gluten-free expo in the future – or, even better, a Paleo-themed one – here’s what would make it truly worthwhile for those of us focused on real food:

Bone broth tastings and vendors offering local, grass-fed options
Fermented food stalls with small-batch kimchi, sauerkraut, kombucha, and kefir water
Cooking demos featuring real Paleo meals (not just “treats”)
Talks by holistic health practitioners, including naturopaths and nutritionists familiar with ancestral eating
Vendors of grass-fed meat, wild-caught seafood, and organic produce
Workshops on food prepping, freezing, fermenting, and batch cooking Paleo meals
Talks on how to raise Paleo kids, how to manage autoimmune conditions through diet, or how to transition from gluten-free to Paleo

Paleo & Coeliac Disease: A Natural Fit?

It’s surprising more people with coeliac disease don’t embrace Paleo. After all, a strict Paleo diet excludes every single source of gluten and is often cleaner and safer than a standard gluten-free diet that relies on processed packaged foods.

By focusing on real food, those with coeliac can also support gut repair and overall health – two key issues with long-term gluten exposure.

In fact, several studies now suggest that diets like Paleo may help address leaky gut, nutrient deficiencies, and systemic inflammation, all common complications of coeliac disease. But as always, anyone with coeliac should work closely with their healthcare provider to ensure any new diet meets their unique needs.

Paleo Resources for WA Locals

If you're looking for more guidance or resources in Western Australia, try these:

Paleo Café Australia (Archive) – While most physical cafes have closed, their old recipe database and meal ideas remain a source of inspiration.
The Paleo Way with Pete Evans – His programme (controversial though it became) raised awareness of Paleo across Australia and helped many take the leap to ditch grains and processed foods.
The Paleo Network (that’s us!) – We’re working to compile more local directories, product reviews, and guides for each Australian state, so stay tuned.
Australian Paleo Podcasts – Search Spotify or Apple Podcasts for Aussie hosts sharing local success stories, interviews with practitioners, and event updates.

Final Words

While gluten-free eating has gained traction in WA, the Paleo movement offers a broader, more nutrient-dense way to approach health. If you're tired of cardboard crackers and faux bread made from unpronounceable ingredients, you're not alone.

By returning to whole foods and ancestral wisdom, you're not just going gluten-free – you're going food-first.

Have you found any truly Paleo-friendly products or businesses in WA? Been to a recent health expo and found something great? Share your tips, discoveries or frustrations in the comments below – and let’s help each other navigate beyond the gluten-free label.

New paleo events in australia sydney melbourne brisbane new zealand-min

New Events In Australia

Check out the newly listed events down under….

Lectures on Sleep, Sugar, Vitamin D, Allergy Workshops, Health & Fitness Expo & the Australia Beef Expo in NSW, VIC, ACT & QLD

Have you heard of any Paleo related events in your area? WA, TAS, NT, SA and New Zealand seem to be a bit under represented? Let me know below and I'll add them to the list!

Why Attending Paleo Events Matters More Than Ever

With the explosion of interest in ancestral health, real food nutrition, and sustainable living, Paleo-focused events are starting to pop up all over Australia and New Zealand. And while online communities, podcasts, and blogs are an incredible way to learn and stay inspired, there’s something uniquely powerful about stepping into a room filled with people who share your passion for wellness.

Whether it's a hands-on workshop about fermenting vegetables, a lecture series on the role of sleep in hormone regulation, or an expo featuring grass-fed beef producers — these in-person events offer something the internet simply can't replicate: connection, community, and practical, real-time learning.

What Types of Paleo Events Are Popping Up?

If you’re just getting started with Paleo or are looking to level up your lifestyle, here are the types of events you’ll want to keep an eye on:

🥩 Local Food Festivals & Farmers Markets

These are often where you’ll find ethical meat producers, regenerative farmers, and artisanal food makers who align with the values of the Paleo lifestyle. It’s a brilliant opportunity to speak directly with the people who raise your meat or grow your veg – and you’ll often find specialty products like bone broth, tallow, and organ meats not typically available in supermarkets.

🎓 Health & Nutrition Seminars

Talks on the microbiome, circadian biology, hormone balance, or functional approaches to health can give you a fresh perspective and help you navigate your own wellness journey. Speakers often include integrative GPs, naturopaths, or independent researchers.

💪 Movement & Fitness Workshops

Whether it’s barefoot running clinics, primal movement workshops, or functional fitness sessions – many Paleo-aligned events incorporate movement into the mix. These workshops often focus on mobility, natural range of motion, or bodyweight strength (instead of endless reps on gym machines).

🛌 Sleep, Stress & Recovery Seminars

The importance of sleep in ancestral health can't be overstated. You’ll often find events diving into practical tips for optimising circadian rhythm, melatonin production, and nervous system regulation – all essential for fat loss, focus, and longevity.

🧂 Cooking Demos & Meal Planning

Cooking real food from scratch is central to Paleo – but for many of us, it can feel overwhelming. That’s where cooking demonstrations, fermenting masterclasses, or batch-cooking meal prep events can provide loads of inspiration.

🐄 Agricultural & Livestock Expos

Surprisingly, these can be a goldmine of Paleo-friendly insight. You’ll meet regenerative farmers, discover local grass-fed and pastured meat suppliers, and learn more about ethical and sustainable food systems. Look out for events like the Australia Beef Expo, or smaller field days held regionally.

Upcoming Paleo-Relevant Events to Watch For

Here are some of the event categories and locations to keep your eye on:

NSW: Sydney, Newcastle, Byron Bay

Health expos often run at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Sydney.
Byron Bay is a hotspot for wellness retreats with ancestral health themes.
Local Meetup groups in Newcastle and Sydney often organise Paleo potlucks or hiking groups.

VIC: Melbourne, Geelong, Mornington Peninsula

Melbourne’s thriving wellness scene means you’ll regularly find low-tox living expos, natural food markets, and primal fitness workshops.
The Mornington Peninsula often hosts holistic retreats, particularly around gut health and nervous system regulation.

QLD: Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast

Brisbane is home to several functional medicine practitioners who run regular seminars on food as medicine and hormone health.
The Sunshine Coast boasts multiple organic farming tours and surf-inspired primal retreats.
Look for expos at the Brisbane Convention Centre or Noosa Wellness Festival.

ACT: Canberra

As the home of government and policy, Canberra hosts some fantastic science-based nutrition talks and professional development days – occasionally open to the public.
Paleo-friendly health food stores often post in-person tasting sessions and talks.

How to Find Events Near You

If you’re not already in the loop, here are some tips for finding out what’s happening:

Set Google Alerts for keywords like “Paleo event Sydney” or “ancestral health Australia”.
Join local Facebook groups: Try searching for “Paleo Melbourne”, “Real Food Brisbane”, or “Primal Australia”.
Follow local producers on Instagram: Grass-fed meat suppliers, kombucha makers, and organic farms often post upcoming appearances or market days.
Check community boards at your local health food store, CrossFit gym, or farmers market.
Eventbrite and Meetup are both great platforms to search for niche, local wellness events.

Why These Events Are Crucial for the Paleo Movement

One of the criticisms Paleo often receives is that it’s an elite or restrictive diet. But in person, at these events, you see the diversity of people it benefits. From busy mums and overworked tradies to former vegans and naturopaths – the Paleo community is full of people who’ve taken health into their own hands.

Paleo events allow you to:

Connect with like-minded people who get it when you say you avoid seed oils or ferment your own kraut
Try new foods in a low-pressure, supportive environment
Hear experts clarify common misconceptions about saturated fat, insulin, cholesterol, or ancestral diets
Get hands-on experience preparing nourishing meals or trying new movement modalities
Ask questions in real time that you can’t always get answered in a blog comment thread

Let’s Build the List: Know an Event? Share It!

Right now, some regions are under-represented – particularly WA, SA, NT, TAS and New Zealand. If you know of a local event that would interest the Paleo crowd, I’d love to add it to the list. Whether it’s a seasonal market with great grass-fed meat, a surf retreat serving whole food meals, or a seminar by a nutritionist debunking modern food myths – if it supports ancestral health, it belongs here.

Email me, tag me on Instagram, or drop the details in the comments below. Let’s keep this list growing so we can all discover new opportunities to learn, connect, and thrive.

Final Thought

Living a Paleo lifestyle isn’t just about what’s on your plate – it’s also about who’s at your table. Surrounding yourself with others who value real food, movement, quality sleep, and stress reduction is one of the most powerful things you can do to stay on track.

So don’t wait for an event to find you – go looking for it. And when you find a great one, tell us all about it.

Let’s keep the Paleo community strong, curious, and connected – one event at a time.

Exploring the Sydney Gluten Free Expo

I went along to the Gluten Free Expo yesterday, at the Sydney Showground.

I'm not sure why now, but I expected it to be very Paleo friendly and full of Vibram clad feet. Surely going completely grain free would be the natural conclusion for those with Coeliac disease? Ditching the bread and refined carbs in favour of real, whole food?

The Gluten Free event was sponsored by Coles and the stands were almost all offering packaged, processed food. Crisps, pasta, processed meats, ready meals, breakfast cereals, cakes and sweets. They all seemed to have removed gluten and replaced it with more sugar, other grains and lots of chemicals. I studied the ingredients on every stand and managed to find one little jar of spices, that would get the Paleo seal of approval! One product!

Perhaps a Paleo stand at next year's expo beckons!

Going Gluten Free?

It's well worth trying to remove Gluten from your diet. So many people don't tolerate it well, without being full-blown Coeliac. When constantly exposed to Gluten, it's hard to even realise what impact it has on your body. It isn't until all traces of Gluten are out of your system that you can begin to understand how it affects you.

Gluten intolerance seems to be strongly correlated with inflammation issues such as IBS, diabetes, heart disease, obesity, cancer, autoimmune diseases, HD, ADD, ADHS, Autism, indigestion, stomach complaints and many other health complaints.

Gluten Free Does Not Mean Healthy

One of the most surprising aspects of the Gluten Free Expo was how overwhelmingly processed the food offerings were. While these products technically omit gluten, they often replace it with corn starch, rice flour, potato starch and other highly refined, high-glycaemic fillers. Add in artificial colours, preservatives, seed oils and excessive sugars, and you’ve got a product that’s arguably worse than the gluten-containing version it replaces.

It’s easy to be lulled into a false sense of security when something is labelled “gluten free.” Many people assume that removing gluten automatically makes a food healthier — but in reality, it often means simply replacing one problematic ingredient with several others. If you’ve switched from white bread to gluten-free white bread, the net health impact is minimal unless you’ve made broader changes to your overall diet.

Why Paleo is the Logical Next Step

For those with Coeliac disease or gluten sensitivity, removing gluten is essential. But instead of filling that void with processed replacements, embracing a Paleo approach — based on whole, nutrient-dense foods — offers far greater long-term benefits. Paleo naturally avoids gluten not just from wheat, but from barley, rye and contaminated oats as well. Instead of replacing bread with “gluten free bread,” Paleo simply swaps the entire category for vegetables, meats, eggs, nuts and seeds.

The benefits of going Paleo when giving up gluten include:

Improved gut health: Whole foods support the microbiome and reduce intestinal permeability.
Steady energy: No more sugar crashes from starchy gluten-free replacements.
Better nutrient absorption: Avoiding grain-based inhibitors like phytic acid allows for more efficient mineral uptake.
Weight stability: Paleo foods help regulate hunger hormones and reduce overeating.

Once gluten is removed, it becomes easier to identify how other food categories — like seed oils or refined sugar — might be impacting your wellbeing too.

Hidden Gluten-Free Pitfalls to Watch Out For

While gluten-free products may seem like the easy answer, they come with several hidden pitfalls. Many “free-from” foods are still ultra-processed and devoid of meaningful nutrition. It’s not uncommon to see ingredient panels that rival those of standard junk food — just with the gluten removed.

Here are a few common traps:

Gluten-free cereals: Often loaded with added sugar and high-glycaemic fillers that spike blood sugar and offer no satiety.
Gluten-free snacks: Biscuits, crackers and granola bars tend to use refined seed oils and processed starches.
Gluten-free baking mixes: Many contain gums, stabilisers and other synthetic additives to mimic gluten’s texture.

Instead of relying on boxed alternatives, building meals around meat, seafood, eggs, vegetables and healthy fats offers a far more reliable path to healing and sustained energy.

Why Inflammation Is the Bigger Issue

For those with non-Coeliac gluten sensitivity or autoimmune issues, inflammation is often the true underlying problem. Gluten is just one trigger in a long list of modern dietary irritants. Grains, legumes, seed oils and refined sugars all contribute to systemic inflammation that can aggravate everything from skin conditions to mental health disorders.

The Paleo approach focuses not only on what to remove (gluten, grains, dairy, etc.) but also on what to include — such as anti-inflammatory foods like bone broth, leafy greens, omega-3-rich seafood, turmeric and fermented vegetables. These help to calm the immune system and promote healing from the inside out.

The Marketing Machine Behind Gluten-Free

The rise in gluten-free products has been driven largely by consumer demand — but unfortunately, the market is flooded with products designed more for profit than for health. Gluten-free food is often priced higher, despite offering poorer nutrition. Most products are heavily marketed with vague health promises, but a “gluten free” label says nothing about the overall quality or sourcing of the ingredients.

A box of sugary cornflake cereal can still legally be labelled gluten free. So can a packet of rice noodles, a bottle of salad dressing made with canola oil, or ultra-processed protein bars. The label alone isn’t enough — it’s the ingredient list that tells the true story.

How to Go Gluten-Free the Paleo Way

Transitioning to a gluten-free lifestyle doesn’t have to mean relying on processed replacements. Here’s how to do it the Paleo way:

Focus on protein: Build meals around animal proteins like chicken, lamb, beef, eggs and seafood.
Prioritise plants: Non-starchy vegetables should make up the bulk of your plate — think leafy greens, cauliflower, zucchini and carrots.
Add healthy fats: Avocados, olive oil, coconut oil, ghee and animal fats support hormones and brain function.
Snack smarter: Instead of crackers or chips, opt for boiled eggs, sliced meat, olives or a handful of nuts.
Prep ahead: Having leftovers or pre-made meals reduces the temptation to reach for processed convenience foods.

This style of eating isn’t just about removing gluten — it’s about removing all the additives, fillers and empty calories that usually come with it.

Should Paleo Be Represented at Future Gluten-Free Events?

After seeing the heavy emphasis on commercial products at the expo, it’s clear that Paleo principles are underrepresented. A Paleo stand could offer attendees a very different message: that gluten-free eating doesn’t have to mean embracing chemical-laden “substitutes,” and that a return to simple, whole ingredients is the most healing option of all.

Cooking demonstrations, talks about anti-inflammatory nutrition, and tastings of real, grain-free meals could all help bridge the gap between gluten-free and genuinely healthy. For many Coeliacs and gluten-sensitive individuals, discovering Paleo might be the missing piece that finally helps them feel well again.

Final Thoughts: Go Beyond Gluten-Free

Eliminating gluten is an excellent first step, especially for those struggling with digestion, skin issues, fatigue or autoimmune concerns. But stopping at gluten-free pasta and muffins won’t give you the full benefit of dietary change. Going Paleo allows you to remove not just gluten, but the full spectrum of problematic modern foods — and replace them with nutrient-dense, healing alternatives.

The next time you see a gluten-free label, ask yourself: is this real food? And better yet — how can I make something even better at home with whole ingredients?

It’s time to move beyond “gluten free” as a marketing buzzword and reclaim it as part of a broader return to real food and vibrant health.

If you're looking to go Gluten Free, the Whole30 is a great program to use to kick this off with! I haven't ever heard of anyone regretting going Gluten Free!

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