Kootenai | Kootenai Health | Issue 4, 2018

22 Preparing a meal for guests can be more challenging if there are food allergies involved. There are a few things to consider when prepping a meal for those with a food allergy or intolerance. Common foodsensitivities Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that causes gluten—a protein found in wheat, rye and barley—to damage the small intestine. People with celiac disease have a severe reaction to gluten and wheat. Gluten doesn’t only impact people with celiac disease; some people can be gluten intolerant. Another common food sensitivity is lactose intolerance—the inability to digest the protein called lactose that is found in dairy products. Getting started • Ask your guest if they have a favorite recipe you can prepare. Many people with dietary restrictions have spent a lot of time finding recipes they can enjoy. You Ask the Expert and your other guests might find a new favorite. • Familiarize yourself with the allergen. If your guest has celiac disease, I recommend researching what that disease is to get a good understanding. This will help you recognize what foods should be avoided when preparing meals. • Read all food labels and the ingredient lists to avoid cooking with ingredients that contain the allergen. • Ask your guest the severity of their allergy. It is OK to have a little? Or do they need to avoid it entirely? Some people with lactose intolerance can tolerate hard cheeses, such as Parmesan, or yogurt, but cannot tolerate straight milk or ice cream. • Avoid cross-contact when preparing specialty food items. Use separate utensils, cutting boards and pans. For example, if you are making food and using a utensil for stirring something that contains gluten, don’t use the same utensil to stir the gluten-free food that you are preparing. Some people can have a bad reaction to gluten or dairy if cross-contact isn’t avoided. • Cook from scratch to avoid hidden sources of allergens. Processed goods are usually full of gluten and dairy. If you can avoid using packaged goods, you may be safer when preparing a meal for someone that has a gluten intolerance or celiac disease. Learn more about food allergies If you’re looking for some additional resources to learn about food allergies, check out these websites: • Foodallergy.org— For all food allergy information. • Celiac.org— The Celiac Disease Foundation and information about celiac disease. Maranda Helland, RDN, LD, Clinical Dietitian How Can I Accommodate Family or Friends With Dietary Restrictions, Like Celiac Disease or Lactose Intolerance, During the Holidays?