When I mentioned having a gluten free expert this week for our Ask the Expert Column, the response was overwhelming! I, myself, must follow a gluten free diet, but I had no idea how many of the Daily Fashionistas readers also either had to follow a gluten free diet or knew a friend who followed a gluten free diet! I contacted a good friend of mine, Denise, the creator of http://www.noglutenhere.com/. When I asked her to contribute some of her gluten free knowledge, she didn't hesitate to say yes!Q. What is gluten? Or Gluten free?
A. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye, barley, and sometimes oats. Some people can not eat oats either do to the processing, but that is an ongoing topic. To be gluten free is to avoid eating all wheat, rye, and barley containing products, which in today's world can be a challenge, especially to newly diagnosed individuals with celiac disease, or gluten intolerances. There is definitely a learning curve when you become gluten free and knowing ahead of time some issues will happen, but it does get much easier in time.
Q. How do I know if I should be gluten free?
A. This is a very loaded question... Going gluten free by any other reason than a personal choice is something you should seek medical advice about with your doctor first. In order for your physician to make an accurate diagnosis of Celiac Disease you must be continuously eating gluten. (However, there are some exceptions, and I of course was one of those.) With celiac disease there are over 300 symptoms that can be present. During my pre-diagnosis I seemed to be having a different symptom everyday which was very confusing to me but also presented a challenge to my doctors as well. You should keep a list of all symptoms that you are having, along with your food choices in a “food diary” and take them with you to your doctor. It may seem like a struggle until you know for sure what is wrong but don't give up! Persistence can bring about change. For me, the key phrase that led to testing for celiac disease was, "I always feel the best when I first wake-up, then as the day goes on, I become seriously ill and can't function in daily life"
Q. What do I do at a dinner party when I have a severe food allergy?
A. There are many things you can do when you go to a dinner party with your allergies, first and foremost I say GO to the party, you must keep on living as normal as possible and having fun in life! Chances are the hostess or host is one of your friends, so please feel free to call them and explain that you have food challenges, and you want to attend but need to plan your evening so you can safely enjoy the party. I have found many times the hostess is serving many gluten free morsels without even being aware of it. Another plan of action is to ask if you can bring your own meal to the party, just see if they can plate it up, carefully of course without contamination, on the same plates as everyone else and sometimes many people don't even notice any difference. Or if you want to take extra precautions, just bring it ready to serve already plated. Still yet a last resort is to eat before you arrive, but you can still bring some gluten free foods to share with everyone. I usually choose a large specialty salad or a seasonal fruit plate to be enjoyed by all.... and everyone in the gluten free world knows gluten free brownies are better than regular brownies anyway! I can doctor up all the new Betty Crocker cake mixes to make them be a stand-out themselves... Iced raspberry bundt cake, or luscious carrot cake w/cream cheese icing, and even cinnamon roll iced cake with pecans - ALL gluten free. FYI, typically cheesecake is gluten free, it's just the crust that contains gluten, and they make gluten free graham crackers so you never have to feel cheated.... but who needs the crust anyway when you have the top?
Q. How can I be safe when dining out at a restaurant?
A. Dining out or "DYING OUT" as I call it can be another challenge, but there are some very simple things that you should follow to be safe. Many places are now serving a gluten free menu or they have some gluten free choices. When being seated I always tell the hostess that we have food allergies and issues and ask for a gluten free menu. If they don't have a menu, I always ask to see a food allergy manager to discuss my options. There usually is no such manager's title, but a manager usually shows up after that request every time! This makes me feel safe ordering with someone who is aware of my issues and can stay abreast of the order with the chef and the server. When your food does arrive, always check it out before you eat it, as someone may accidentally have put bread crumbs in your salad, or serve you the wrong entrée'. It is fine to ask the server when your meal is brought to the table if it's the gluten free meal, or the specially prepared meal by the chef.
Q. What is your favorite gluten free meal?
A. I laugh at this question, as in the beginning of my gluten free journey I had to learn how to cook and bake ALL over again... now over three years have gone by and it seems like everyday I come up with a new favorite gluten free meal. Last evening I made a gluten free coconut tempura type shrimp meal, and it was absolutely delicious, but I seem to enjoy more healthy food choices now anyway. I love wild salmon, with quinoa, broccoli and a strawberry spinach salad, with ripe watermelon for dessert. Very simple, yet totally gluten free, delicious and healthy!
Please feel free to follow Denise's new blog for some gluten free recipes, and gluten free product reviews at http://www.noglutenhere.com/. For more information on a gluten free diet or Celiac Disease diagnosis, please contact your medical professional, the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness, or the Gluten Intolerance Group.
Thanks so much for this.. am new to the gluten free lifestyle so any tips is great appreciated. Bookmarking Denise's site!
ReplyDeleteI found out I have a gluten allergy about 5 years ago and I am amazed at how simple it is to cut it out of your diet. There are so many great GF products out there so I can have bread, pasta, chips, etc just like everyone else!
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