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A few years ago, being diagnosed as coeliac meant that preparing and cooking your favourite meals became very difficult. Fortunately, the wide range of gluten free foods in Australia that are available today, coupled with the knowledge we now have about gluten and the symptoms consuming it can cause, means that enjoying a gluten free diet is remarkably easy.
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TOP TIPS FOR COOKING GLUTEN FREE FOODS A few years ago, being diagnosed as coeliac meant that preparing and cooking your favourite meals became very difficult. Fortunately, the wide range of gluten free foods in Australia that are available today, coupled with the knowledge we now have about gluten and the symptoms consuming it can cause, means that enjoying a gluten free diet is remarkably easy. Wash all surfaces, tools, and utensils carefully Gluten can be anywhere — including your kitchen surfaces, tools, and utensils. Many of the foods that we consume everyday contain gluten. For those that can process the protein without problem, barely a second thought is given to using the spoon you have stirred the pasta with to give the accompanying red sauce a mix. Unfortunately, the risk of cross contamination is real for those suffering from gluten intolerance. Even the smallest fragment can cause significant digestive distress so it’s best to keep utensils and tools separate and clean. Store food securely One of the biggest problems facing coeliacs is having to share food storage space with those who do not suffer from gluten intolerance. To counteract this issue, be sure that all food is stored securely and well labeled. While there’s no harm done by your gluten-eating partner sneaking a few handfuls of your coeliac crackers, it doesn’t work the same both ways. Consider having a separate shelf and fridge space reserved solely for gluten free foods. Prepare gluten free foods first Got someone with coeliac disease coming to dinner? Never fear, the wide range of available gluten free foods in Australia means cooking coeliac suitable dishes is no trouble at all. However, if you are choosing to put together a separate dish altogether for your gluten-intolerant friend, it’s best to cook their meal first. This will reduce the risk of cross contamination and means you can be confident that your guest won’t be leaving your dinner party with a horrible stomach ache. Check packaging labels Most gluten free products will proudly advertise their gluten free status with stickers, banners, and logos on the front of the packaging. However, it always packs to read the fine print. Some products that may claim to be gluten free will actually feature a disclaimer that ‘this product was produced using facilities that also process wheat’. For some coeliac sufferers, even the slightest hint of gluten can set off an unpleasant and painful reaction, so steer clear of these food sources. Encourage variety If you have just been diagnosed with coeliac disease, it can be tempting to find a few gluten free recipes and stick to them. Unfortunately, this approach often sees coeliacs missing out on important vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. Just because you cannot consume gluten does not mean that you should be skipping out on fresh fruit and vegetables, protein, and dairy. Plan your meals in advance and make sure you are eating from the full food pyramid. Preparing and cooking gluten free foods in Australia is not that difficult. All it takes is a little bit of knowledge, foresight, and access to quality gluten free products. Source: https://www.casalare.com.au/