You have been invited to a get-together with family or friends! But if you’re following a strict gluten-free diet, it can feel a bit overwhelming. Questions start to pop up: Will there be anything safe to eat? Should I bring my own food? What if someone doesn’t understand cross-contamination?
Don’t worry, you’re not alone. This guide offers tips to help you navigate get-togethers, while also helping others understand your needs without stress.
Before the Event
The first thing to do is ask about the food. Check what ingredients will be used, ensure the person preparing the food is aware of coeliac disease, and confirm that the food will be gluten-free with precautions against cross-contamination.
Personal Preference
There’s absolutely nothing wrong with bringing your own food, especially if it gives you peace of mind. Managing coeliac disease often means needing full control over what you eat, and that’s perfectly okay.
Bringing your own meal or snack can eliminate the stress of cross-contamination. This is a good option for casual gatherings like picnics or BBQs.
An event such as a BBQ
When you’re invited to a BBQ, request that your food be prepared first. It’s essential to have a clean grill; alternatively, you can cook gluten-free food on a piece of foil to prevent cross-contamination.
You can also opt to use a separate grill for added safety.
Side Dishes
Separate utensils for every side dish should be used to avoid cross-contamination. Using separate utensils for each side dish helps minimise the risk of cross-contamination.
Nuts, Dips and Crisps
Even when these snacks are naturally gluten-free, they can quickly become unsafe once sharing begins. Hands that have touched gluten-containing bread, crackers, or other foods can easily transfer traces of gluten into shared bowls or containers.
To reduce the risk, it’s best to serve gluten-free items like nuts, dips, and crisps in separate containers – one for gluten-free guests and one for everyone else. This helps avoid accidental cross-contamination.
Questions on Coeliac Disease
It can be frustrating being asked a flood of questions about coeliac disease.
Be patient – it’s a great opportunity to raise awareness about coeliac disease and the gluten-free diet. While we deal with these challenges daily, others might not be as familiar with them.