Gluten allergies mean that you won’t be able to work with the key ingredient to many foods: grains. You can still certainly work with specific grains and find alternatives, but you must know the tricks in safely cooking for someone that has an allergy to gluten.
The first thing to get down pat is to realize which grains contain gluten. Wheat, barley, and rye are examples of grains that do have gluten in them. Other types of grains, such as corn or oats, do not contain gluten. You should take up memorizing the list by consulting reading material, magazines, and baking cookbook aids. Verify each ingredient you wish to cook with before using it.
Foods that have been processed, such as the average frozen dinner, will need to be scrutinized. Processed food that doesn’t seem like it would contain grain might actually have that ingredient. Other processed foods might be prepared in the same factory that grain-based foods are prepared, and contamination may be present.
While mentioning cross contamination, it must be noted that the home should be free of any chances that grain containing gluten will find its way into a dish. Parents that are cooking for children with allergies could easily cross contaminate a dish by using the same utensils or preparation space twice. It’s best to keep a designated area for preparation with gluten-free foods. It’ll be easier to keep track of foods that way.
Specialty stores are springing up that cater to those with allergies, or those cooking for such people. If one isn’t in your area, you can still buy packaged gluten-free mixes, foods, and canned goods over the Internet. Shipping costs are low enough now that the foods you buy will be on par with the pricing of foods in the grocery store. It’s a fine time for feeding a family with allergies, and it’s only getting better as grocery shopping becomes easier.
At first, finding recipes that taste good and are easy to make is hard to do. Even finding a cookbook and trying out recipes will take time. Look for a recipe book that is for sufferers of gluten allergies to make the process more simple. Look on community websites for more recipe ideas from others like you and your family. In the future you will have plenty of great dinner ideas that are tasty and easy to make.
In Conclusion
Allergies to food can be serious if not handled properly. Follow every instruction that physicians give, keep the cooking area clean, and have fun cooking new dishes. Read more on allergies on the Internet to get briefed on more gluten facts.
Learn more on allergy free salad dressings and allergy free trail mix.