Going Gluten-Free? Here’s What You Must Be Careful About

This is a tough article to write and will break your trust of what you eat when it says “Gluten-Free”.

Nowadays, everyone around is trying to create products that are “Gluten-Free”. It somehow seems healthier and is a selling USP, but not many are sure what gluten-free means. The reality is DON’T EAT anything that says “Gluten Free” till you don’t inspect it properly. 

Let’s start with different people who sell “Gluten-Free Food” or label  products as “Gluten-Free Food”

Airlines:

Most International airlines have a meal preference that you can ask for when you book your tickets, Gluten-Free/Vegan/Kids etc. My experience with airlines is that while they offer these meals and the crew has some level of training, they don’t understand isn’t complete. They don’t understand “What is Celiac Disease” and how it affects a person. The understanding is Oh! No gluten means no wheat!

In the last year, I have had two experiences with an international airline. The first one gave Mannat who is Celiac, a gluten-free meal and placed a packet of “crackers” on the tray. Gluten-free crackers and regular crackers look exactly the same. The “Food Detective” in me wanted to check the ingredients at the back of the packet. Guess what it said?  “Made with wheat”.

Next, the gluten-free meal tray arrived and was placed in front of Mannat and the air hostess says “Oh! I don’t have a gluten-free bun, is it ok if I give a regular bun”? God! I felt like screaming or should I just cry? This is my child’s health.

CAUTION: Always check every item on your tray or teach your child to check it before consuming it.

Bakeries:

Check out all the different bakeries in New Delhi, you will find they all have a “Gluten Free Cake” made with care, we wash our utensils properly, use clean dusters etc. What about the 10gms of wheat flour that flies, what about the baking powder, cornflour or is the chocolate being used gluten-free? The list is never-ending. I am fortunate that my son doesn’t eat all this stuff. But other kids are at a big risk! Internationally the gluten-free stuff is available is on separate counters and individually packed.

Processed Products:  

This is a killer for people with Celiac and gluten intolerance as the market is full of packaged goods that say“Gluten-Free”. In reality, most might not contain the ingredient “wheat” but do they contain oats? Most often I will get a yes followed with “but aren’t oats gluten-free? “ Hello! No oats aren’t gluten-free unless manufactured in an exclusive facility.

The second problem is it contains barley!! Barley is so healthy but it isn’t gluten-free. Remember all the ingredients that might contain gluten. Do read all my articles to understand them properly. Another favourite ingredient that is gluten is Hing(Asafoetida) found in all masala and Indian snacks. So be careful about what you cook with, in your homes.

I would like to conclude that understanding “Gluten” isn’t for everyone. It requires a lot of understanding and requires a lot of caution. “All things in moderation, including moderation” Socrates