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Making a Difference in the Gluten-Free Community

 

Food banks have been struggling to keep a gluten-free stock for celiac patients from low-income households.  Cost and space limitations are two factors that inhibit food banks from keeping a steady gluten-free supply.

It is due to activists like Lisa Garza who last year started a "Gluten-Free Food Drive Challenge" for her local area food banks that can make a difference.  Her campaign drew support from large companies like Bob's Redmill, among others.  

What can you do to make a difference in your community?

Read more:  http://blogs.seattleweekly.com/voracious/2011/08/food_banks_struggle_to_keep_gl.php

 

Hotels Offering More Gluten-Free Options

Check out this great article on hotels that are now offering gluten-free menus for their gluten-free guests!

Hotels such as the Ritz-Carlton chain are trying to make it easier for guests with food sensitivities to eat safely and eat well.  This means ensuring no cross-contamination as well as printing a separate menu for gluten-free diners for them to see more clearly what they can eat.

Fairmont Hotels has partnered with nutritionists to ensure a wonderful eating experience for their diners and has spent a year putting together a program to educate the staff.

Read more: http://lhonline.com/news/hotels_gluten_free_0826/

More Stores Offering Gluten-Free Options

Large food giants such as Price Chopper are adding gluten-free options to their product options!

The store will also feature expanded selections of dairy, beer, gluten-free, natural and organic products and is a "green" store as well as being LEED certified.

Happy shopping!  Hopefully the gluten-free products will be available at a lower cost in bulk.

Read more: http://www.gourmetretailer.com/top-story-new_price_chopper_includes_expanded_dairy__gluten_free_offerings-10106.html

Celiac Disease Incidence is on the Rise

Celiac disease is on the rise in the US and researchers are scrambling to find out why!

Doctors believe that it is not only increased awareness and diagnoses which are leading to the rise of the disease, but also a variety of other factors.

 

Theories include that the cleanliness of industrialized society has caused a fundamental change in the composition of the digestive bacteria contained within the gut, grains that are much richer in gluten, children being exposed to gluten at an earlier age, and the decline in breast feeding of babies.  

Read more: http://www.delmarvanow.com/article/20110822/LIFESTYLE/108220310/Celiac-disease-rise-US

Sticking to a Gluten-Free Budget

With the arrival of multiple gluten-free options on grocery store shelves, eating gluten-free has become much more accessible to the average consumer.  However, it is far less accessible to the average wallet.

This article gives great advice on how to eat gluten-free on a budget!  Tips include buying basic ingredients, buying in bulk, and making your own baked goods at home.

Read more: http://www.fitsugar.com/Living-Gluten-Free-Budget-18695282

Gluten-Free Grain Research

Good news!  New reserach has made it possilbe for the nutritious grains Millet, Amaranth, and Quinoa to be officially deemed gluten-free!  No more questioning! 

The research was conducted by Molecular Nutrition and Food Research and says that these grains may now be considered for use by celiac patients.

Of course it's important to remember that they are discussing these grains in their natural forms, so always be sure to check labels when these grains are used in packaged foods.

Read more: http://www.foodnavigator.com/Science-Nutrition/Millet-Amaranth-and-Quinoa-deemed-gluten-free-Study

Gluten-Free Dining Comes to NC State Cafeteria

Worry free dining fare has arrived at North Carolina State University!  Gluten-free stations are now available in the dining halls to provide celiac, gluten-intolerant, and wheat allergic patients with a safe and delicious dining experience.

Students will also have access to a toaster oven that is dedicated to only toasting gluten-free bread. 

Such great news!  Let's hope to see this on college campuses across the country.

Read more about the changes at: http://www.ncsudining.com/dining/index.html

U.S. News looks at the Gluten-Free Diet

Check out how U.S. News has taken on the gluten-free diet! And, for all of you who feel that eating gluten-free can be a little monotonous in your food choices, think again!

Eating gluten-free can be healthy, exciting, and nutritious, if you take the time to think about what foods are naturally gluten-free and enhancing them with interesting ingredients and textures.  This article featured in U.S. News gives some great tips on how to do just that!

Read more: http://health.usnews.com/health-news/diet-fitness/diet/articles/2011/08/03/a-gluten-free-diet-doesnt-have-to-be-boring

Student Works to Cure Celiac Disease

Millikin University student Stephanie Gates has landed a coveted spot in this years' Chemical of Industry Scholars program and her mission is to cure celiac disease!

She is working with synthesizing chains of amino acids known as peptides and examining their relationship with gluten metabolism and people with celiac disease.  Hopefully her research will lead to a cure!

Read more: http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20110728/news/707289957/#ixzz1TyprezV0