Why Catering A Gluten-Free Event Can Make You the Talk of the Town

Gluten-free diets are becoming popular in today’s health crazed world. Yet more than their rising popularity, they are one way of controlling celiac disease and gluten sensitivity issues. Catering an event with gluten-free options can be a gesture of kindness towards those suffering from celiac disease.

So what exactly is a gluten-free diet?

A gluten-free diet is one that eliminates all food with the protein gluten. Gluten is most commonly found in grain foods such as wheat, rye, and barley. Eliminating this protein reduces the potential inflammation, fatigue, irritability, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, and vomiting that can be induced by eating gluten.

Gluten-free foods

Though a completely gluten-free diet is difficult for many to achieve, there are a number of gluten-free foods that can be served at events. The key is to make dishes that are both gluten-free, and delectable to those who don’t generally eat gluten foods. There are many foods that are naturally gluten-free including beans, seeds, nuts (unprocessed), eggs, meats, fish, fruits, vegetables, and most other dairy products. In order to create truly gluten-free foods, it is important to make sure that the naturally gluten-free ingredients are not mixed with any gluten grains, additives, or preservatives. The most common grains and starches that can be used include arrowroot, buckwheat, corn, flax, gluten-free flour (rice, soy, corn, bean), and tapioca.

Just as there are naturally gluten-free foods, there are also many naturally gluten foods. Always avoid barley, rye, triticale, and wheat. Remember that wheat products often are labeled by other names. These names include bulgur, durum flour, farina, graham flour, kamut, semolina, and spelt. Additionally, there are many foods that almost always include gluten. Unless they are labeled gluten-free, you should avoid beer, breads, cakes, pies, candies, cereal, cookies, crackers, croutons, French fries, seafood, pastas, processed cold meats, salad dressings, sauces, self-basting poultry, soups, and vegetables found in sauce.

Catering a gluten-free event

To cater a gluten-free event, additional planning will be necessary, but it can be a rewarding way to make food available to your guests. In the United States, nearly 1 out of every 100 people have celiac disease. even if you are not catering an exclusively gluten-free event, it may still be a good idea to create a few dishes and desserts for those with gluten concerns. It will also be a wonderful way to explore your creativity with creating gluten-free dishes from familiar gluten dish staples.