Foreign but Familiar

Most of us know that the United States requires gluten free foods to contain no more than 20 parts per million (ppm) of gluten.  However, that is not the case for other countries.  The chart below will show you that 20ppm is average but Australia is 75% lower than the US and Mexico is 900% higher....what a significant difference!

As a result, when traveling, eating gluten free food from Australia is certainty safe to eat! However, Mexico may not be so safe.  Fortunately, when food is imported from other countries, the FDA still requires them to follow our rules.  Therefore, imported gluten free foods should always be safe in America.

Gluten Free Certification

Different countries have different regulations for gluten free products.  

As for the United States, an acceptable claim for gluten free means it does not contain the following: 

1.) an ingredient that is prohibited grain

2.) an ingredient that is derived from a prohibited grain and that has not been processed to remove gluten

3.) an ingredient that is derived from a prohibited grain and that has been processed to remove gluten but not enough to be considered 20 parts per million (ppm)

Some rules must be followed in order to label a product as gluten free; however, the FDA has regulation rules that were supposed to be determined and put into affect in 2012 but resources are saying that it will not happen this year.  More regulation needs to be done in order for consumers to be able to trust the product and for restaurants to sincerely state if the meal is gluten free since the ingredient list is not right in front of the customer.

According to the Gluten Intolerance Group, the Gluten-Free Certification Organization will support products that are gluten free after routine plant inspections, manufacturing testing, product testing and annual contract updates.  Having the certified gluten free stamp on a product helps put consumers' minds at ease.

Recipe Redo

When having company over for dinner, making a typical family dinner is easy to change into a gluten free meal that everyone can enjoy.  In order to eat gluten free, you do not necessarily have to find all new recipes than what you are typically used to.  Just look at any recipe and decide what needs to be changed in order to make it safe.  Most likely, your guest wont notice and you wont have to go through the trouble of making two dishes.

Here is an example of changing a recipe to help give you ideas!

Dorm Room Duty

Being able to eat safely in the dining hall is important but having your own space in your dorm room is essential too!

• Make sure you talk with your roommate before school starts and give them a heads up about your diet
• Agree to have separate dishes and cooking utensils if you are very severe to avoid any cross contamination
• Designate your own spaces in your mini fridge using containers and organizers
• Instead of labeling everything gluten free- use different colors for containers, plates, bowls, silverware, etc to help organize both sides
• Buy squeeze bottles of mayo, peanut butter, jelly, ketchup, mustard, dressings, etc. to avoid the use of needing a knife
• Get permission from your school's disabilities department or food service director to have a toaster, microwave and/or panini press in your room to increase your meal and snack options
• Make and freeze portioned meals at home and bring them to school when you don't want to go to the dining hall- things like this will always come in handy
• Talk to your dining service managers to find other students who eat gluten free and maybe agree to dorm together during your freshman year to make things easier

Always be open minded- anything and everything is possible!

The cost of eating gluten free

When shopping for gluten free products, it may feel like a burden on your budget.  However eating naturally gluten free is a great and easy alternative. Below is a comparison of some commonly bought gluten free products compared to their gluten counterparts.

Although it may cost a little extra to eat gluten free, the health cost of not following a gluten free diet is much more.  Some long term affects of not following a gluten free diet for someone who should includes:

• Iron deficiency anemia
• Early onset osteoporosis or osteopenia
• Vitamin K deficiency
• Several vitamin and mineral deficiencies
• Central and peripheral nervous system disorders
• Pancreatic insufficiency
• Intestinal lymphomas and other GI cancers
• Gall bladder malfunction
• Neurological manifestations

Also- you don't want this to happen if it hasn't already!

Importance of the "GF Zone"

After doing a lot of research lately, I have come to realize one thing- colleges ROCK at supporting gluten free students!  I wish all the other schools could do a better job in this area.

Several schools have created a "GF Zone" within their dining halls to accommodate ALL gluten free needs.  Within this zone, it has everything anyone could ever need to successfully and happily eat gluten free.

Benefits of having a "GF Zone" includes:

• Centralized area for all gluten free foods with easy access
• Stocked with kitchen appliances such as refrigerator, freezer, microwave, toaster and panini press
• Includes separate condiments and/or single use cream cheese, butter, jelly, peanut butter, ketchup, salad dressing, etc.
• Eliminates cross contamination in several ways- avoids confusion for kitchen staff as well as for other students eating in the dining hall, there is no reason for gluten containing foods to enter this area
• Provides other students with the chance to become more aware of the importance of food allergies
• Acts as a common ground for all gluten free students and allows them to get to know each other
• Can be the start of something new for students; such as "family dinners"
• Gives the dining staff encouragement to increase their gluten free options
• Helps to promote the school for incoming freshman who are gluten free
• Most importantly- gives students the feeling of being normal and safe at the same time.  Parents love it too!

Having a food allergy doesn't mean a student should feel left out and having a "GF Zone" will ensure this does not happen.

Some schools even give each student a key to this area after meeting one on one with their dietitian to ensure safety of other students bringing gluten into the area. 

All in all- if one school can make this happen, all schools should!