Gluten-Free?

To some, eating a Gluten-free diet is by choice.  Others could have a wheat allergy and some have Celiac disease.  When I tell people that I have Celiac disease I get different reactions.  Most common is the question "What’s that?”  Instead of the correct answer of an autoimmune disorder of the small intestines I say “it means I am allergic to gluten/wheat”.  By not eating products containing gluten, people with Celiac disease can heel their small intestine. Right now eating gluten free is the only way to treat Celiac disease. 

Gluten hides in more than just wheat, it is found in rye, malts, oats, barley and dextrin.   These terms are not used as much as wheat.  On just about any food product in the market you will see the words (contains) under the ingredient list.  Look for the words gluten or wheat next to the words contains, chances are it is there.  Allergen information is posted on products to help identify what has gluten in it and what doesn’t.   

Most gluten-free products contain corn, rice, potatoes or tapioca for grains as a substitute for wheat. Flours are made from these grains for pasta’s, pizza, bread and more. This is actually a healthier alternative by eating gluten-free grains.

Following this diet has become easier as the years roll by because of the new products hitting the shelves. There is nothing that contains gluten that I can’t find gluten-free.  Any questions you can contact me, my email is (kscheckner@yahoo.com).

A Sticky Situation Avoided

There is a strong possibility that the time will come when there is just nothing Gluten-free for you to eat.  This time will come unannounced; you can be at a friend’s house or traveling in an unfamiliar area. Doesn’t matter the scenario, How do you avoid it?   

            Searching restaurants online is the best way to know if you can safely eat there.  Try to plan your day to be by locations you know work for your dietary restrictions.  However, if you are in a big group you might not have a say of where you end up to eat. In this situation it is easy to bring along snacks or even a meal. An example is carrying Gluten-free pasta with you. You can ask a restaurant to cook and dress your pasta with a sauce.  They may charge you full price for the pasta dish but it will be safe to eat and you can stay with your group.

            Eating at a friend’s house is another example of an appropriate time to bring food along. If you don’t know what is being served, just bring our own food just to be safe.  A great meal to bring can be Amy's Gluten-free mac and cheese. This only needs to be microwaved and it tastes great. You can purchase this product on the glutenfreemall.com  

            Knowing really is half the battle, gluten can be hiding in any meal so keep yourself on a schedule on where you will be around meal time.

Travel

If you are on a Gluten-free diet,  travel to Disney World and not worry about eating because all over the parks you can find Gluten-free food.

Magic Kingdom in Disney World has several places that accommodate Gluten allergies.  Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café, Pecos Bill Tale Inn and Café, Main Street Bakery, Columbia Harbor House and The Pinocchio Village House all have sample menus online that fit your needs.  There are even more such as Toni’s Town Square.   Their number is (407) 939-3463 and they will say how they can accommodate you over the phone.        

Hollywood Studios in Disney World has four eateries with online sample menus with Gluten-free accommodations. Backlot Express, Studios Catering Co., ABC Commissary and my personal favorite Pizza Planet (From the movie Toy Story) all accommodate. They have more restaurants in the park such as The Brown Derby that you can call to learn what they have. (407) 939-3463. 

Animal Kingdom has Restaurantosaurus and the Flame Tree Barbecue that serves Gluten-free foods and has online sample menus.

Epcot Theme Park has the Libery Inn and Sunshine Season with online menus that satisfy our needs.

Babycakes bakery is in Downtown Disney. They have amazing cupcakes that are gluten free. If the opportunity comes, try one. 

Making reservations is a smart choice when eating Gluten-free in Disney World. Let them know you have dietary restrictions. A chef will come and talk to you before anything is served to you to confirm the Gluten- free order.  This is truly a safe way to eat worry free. Disney goes the extra mile to take care of those eating Gluten-free.

Dining at Disney-  http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/parks/magic-kingdom/dining/ you can find each eatery online and see what each one serves.  Call Disney for more places to find gluten free accommodations (407) 939-3463.

Where Do You Buy Gluten-Free Food?

Most local grocery stores designate a shelf for Gluten-free products to be sold. The selection is embarrassingly small and contains tasteless products.  Ever hear of the Gluten-Free Mall? It’s a website which offers a huge selection of Gluten-free foods.

Shop for your favorite foods without leaving the house on the Gluten free malls website.  (http://www.celiac.com/glutenfreemall/). You can fill your shopping cart with the top tasting Gluten-free foods on the market.  This website has over 1000 products and over 130 brands.  Most brands don’t focus on just one type of food.  It is common to see the same brand names for each type of food on the website.  For example, Schar makes bread, pasta, pizza, cookies and more.

On the home page of the Gluten-free mall there is an impressive list of categories. You can browse through them all and purchase what you want. The items you buy will be shipped to your home immediately. What makes this site top notch is that you can buy frozen foods and have them shipped too. Frozen food is shipped in a cooler packed with dry ice.

Stop looking so hard to find the Gluten-free product you want to eat. It is on the Gluten-free mall the "one-stop shop" since 1998.

Any questions about the site their number is (866) 575 3720.

Want to Eat Out?

With Celiac disease and Gluten allergies becoming more popular, the demand for Gluten-free food is on the rise. Restaurants are jumping on this opportunity and adding Gluten-free menus.   

It is embarrassing going out to eat and asking for the burger without a bun. Or selecting an item on a menu and asking if this contains wheat or if it was made with flour. Don’t suffer when you eat out, you may be surprised how many restaurants have Gluten-free menus. 

If you’re in the mood for Chinese food, P.F.Chang’s a chain restaurant has a Gluten-free menu. On the menu you can find any traditional meal such as soup, Mongolian beef, or even fried rice. (http://www.pfchangs.com/menu) If you enjoy Italian food, Olive Garden has got a menu containing various pastas and chicken dishes. Mexican, On the Boarder offers corn tortilla shells on their Gluten-free menu opposed to the flour tortillas. (http://www.ontheborder.com/PDFs/otb%20allergen.pdf). In the mood for American? Chilies, T.G.I Fridays and many more all have Gluten free menu’s. (http://www.brinker.com/gr/allergens/Chilis%20Allergen.PDF). Before you go out check the menus online they will be posted on the restaurants website.

            Restaurants that have the Gluten-free menus are the best choice for anyone with a gluten allergy. Eating at places that can make your dish without wheat doesn’t mean it is not contaminated. Food containing wheat/gluten sharing an oven or fryer or even a pan can contaminate your gluten free dish.  Take the extra minute and be safe by looking at the restaurants online menu.

Gluten-free P.FChangs menu

Good Quality Bread

Tired of having your gluten-free bread crumble? Avoid this annoyance by trying Schar bread products. This Italian company offers a large variety of bread styles that won’t fall apart when you touch it or try to eat it. Schar also has a soft texture to their bread, a nice perk compared to competitor’s firm textures. 

Make French toast for breakfast with Schars classic white bread.  Mix eggs, cinnamon and milk on this Gluten-free bread and after cooked you have a great tasting breakfast.  Have a sandwich for lunch on sub sandwich rolls. Toast the rolls for four minutes and enjoy.  With pasta, make garlic bread with a baguettes style of bread.  Put butter and garlic on the bread and heat it in the oven.

Ciabatta Parbaked Rolls is a dinner roll that Schar makes. This roll travels well to restaurants and if you ask your waiter they usually will heat it up for you. Eating bread at the restaurant is a nice change so you don’t feel left out when the rest of your table eats their bread.

Schar offers multigrain bread for a healthier option. The multigrain bread taste great as does the other breads Schar makes.  This company is truly setting the bar for taste and quality. You can enjoy this bread feeling safe that gluten was never near these products.   

The website for Schar bread is ( http://www.schar.com/us/gluten-free-products/bread-and-rolls/)

Classic White Bread

Ciabatta Parbaked Rolls