18 Jun Gluten Free Home

Are you wondering how to create a Gluten Free Home? Unfortunately, going gluten-free is not an easy task in today’s world. While many believe this process is merely a matter of removing the bread and pasta from one’s life, the truth is it can be found in everything from salsa to chocolate to soy milk to chap stick to envelopes! And, of course there is also the issue of cross-contamination which can result in gluten ingestion when gluten containing foods are prepared and handled in the vicinity of gluten-free foods.

When diagnosed with a gluten sensitivity or Celiac disease, one of the first major decisions is whether to transition to a gluten-free household. While removing the gluten from the home is the best way to reduce the risk of cross-contamination, it can be difficult for family members who don’t necessarily need to be 100% gluten-free (Dr. Kremer does recommend having immediate blood relatives of Celiacs be tested as this disease does have a strong genetic component). For those living alone or with only a spouse, transitioning to a gluten-free home can be the easiest and safest choice to reduce your risk of exposure while in the safety of your home.

In cases where gluten is not removed from the household, it is very important to remember that cross-contamination can happen in many ways. As a result Dr. Kremer does recommend taking the following steps to reduce the risk of cross-contamination:

• If a toaster is a necessity, purchase a separate toaster to reduce the risk of gluten-free bread coming in contact with regular bread.
• Purchase (and label) designated peanut butter, mayonnaise, jam/jellies, and other jarred goods to ensure your gluten-free goods aren’t being contaminated with a utensil traveling from gluten-containing items into a communal jar and back onto your gluten-free goods.
• Organize fridge and pantry to make room for a gluten-free section. This simple step can save time and reduce confusion.
• To reduce confusion with marinades and sauces, it is advisable to switch to gluten-free varieties. This will also reduce the risk of cross-contamination (grills are a common source) and will save time by eliminating the need to prepare two separate meals.
• Switching the entire house to gluten-free pasta and grains can be a simple way to save time when preparing things like casseroles and soups to prevent having to prepare separate dishes. (The kids and spouse probably won’t even notice the difference!
• Wash hand towels regularly and by mindful of sponges, which can often be contaminated with gluten.
• Wash all working surfaces with soap and water regularly.
• If grilling, place aluminum foil over cooking area (to avoid gluten-free meats coming in contact with gluten-containing marinades and bbq sauces).
• Use a squeeze bottle of mustard, ketchup, and other condiments.