Celiac is becoming more common among people of all ages. According to the New England Journal of Medicine, between 1 in 100 and 1 in 170 people globally have Celiac disease. Perhaps you or a friend and/or loved one has had Celiac disease for some time, or have been recently diagnosed.
Whatever the case may be, it's likely that you will be having at least someone with Celiac coming to your Holiday dinner, for whom you will be prepared. If this sends fear and trembling up your spine and through your neck, read on--being prepared is critical.
First, why does it matter to accommodate the guest with Celiac disease? Isn't Celiac some kind of fake disorder schemed up by the organic food cartel, or a result of narcissism running amok--a way for control freaks to control their diets and the eating habits of everyone around them?
Celiac is an autoimmune disorder of the small intestine. It's a genetically predisposed disease that impacts people from middle infancy and up. Symptoms can be chronic diarrhea, constipation, failure to thrive (in children), anaemia, and overall fatigue. It's caused by a reaction to gluten, a protein found in wheat and other grains such as barley and rye. It can lead to a malabsorption of vitamins and minerals, particularly calcium and vitamin D, causing other issues like osteoporosis. And given that a majority of food in the western diets are carbohydrates made from wheat, those with Celiac have a difficult time in situations where alternatives are not available.
So what can you do to help the guest with Celiac feel comfortable at your holiday feast? Here are some tips:
1. Do a little research: If you don't know much about it, do some research online. Be empathetic with those who have it. It's not some trumped up excuse to manipulate your feast--it's a very real disease. By being understanding and empathetic, you'll find it easier to prepare.
2. Understand ingredients: There are simple ingredients that western culinary culture just takes for granted, but can be very troubling for those with Celiac. You might think you're buying something that doesn't contain gluten, but its secondary ingredients may. Here's a list of must-avoids for Celiac for you to be acquainted with.
3. Re-Invent the turkey: Have you used the same turkey recipe with stuffing passed down generations from your pilgrim ancestors? Does it contain gluten? If so, then you have to re-invent that long-held recipe into a masterpiece that will delight the tastebuds and stomachs of all, including your Celiac sufferer. Check out the innumerable recipes online--and with a little patience and ingenuity, you'll not only surprise yourself, but feel good that all your guests will be able to partake with confidence.
4. Don't cross-contaminate: It's important to make sure that gluten does not transfer to non-gluten food items. This can happen simply by using the same knife to cut both regular and gluten-free bread, or by other utensils or serving plates, etc, having come in contact with glutenous items. That's where education and vigilance come in--it requires you to completely rethink how you cook and serve food. Keep all serving utensils, plates, pots, and platters away from those that will be used to serve gluten-dishes. And educate all those who are helping you with the cooking before they begin: there's no use in putting a wonderful gluten-free meal together if an uncle or niece helping you unscrupulously uses the same spoon to platter the regular and gluten-free stuffing.
5. Double-check the alcohol: Not all alcohol beverages are gluten-free. If you're serving drinks, check to make sure those that contain gluten are well-designated.
6. Designate gluten and gluten-free: If you're serving gluten and gluten-free foods, keep them well-designated and well away from one another. This will make it easy for all your guests to enjoy.
7. Be open-minded & creative: Let's say your nephew arrives to dinner and surprises everyone with his new girlfriend--and you find out just before the bird arrives to the table that she has Celiac. What do you do? You've got to be in the moment and creative. There'll be things in your home she can eat. Work with the person on it. Be open-minded. The person is not neurotic--she has a real disease. There are things in your pantry that she most likely is able to eat. It won't be perfect, but you'll have made her feel welcome.
No comments:
Post a Comment