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Livescience_2013 05339.txt

#People With Celiac disease Don't Have To Miss the Cookout (Op-Ed) Mary Kay Sharrett R. D. L. D. of the Celiac disease Clinic at Nationwide Children's Hospital helps patients with celiac disease. She contributed this article to Livescience's Expert Voices: Op-Ed & Insights. Americans often think of Labor day as the unofficial end to summer and beginning of the tailgating season. People fire up their gas and charcoal grills and while that usually means a good time at a potluck style cookout for people with health concerns like celiac disease that family gathering can be a challenge. Families with children who are living with celiac disease are especially aware that this type of gathering can be problematic if they don't plan ahead. One way parents can support their children is by being proactive and preparing a gluten-free option on the menu or a few which will allow for a fun stress-free holiday experience. See recipes below. If you are the one hosting the cookout it is especially important to ask your guests if there are any food allergies you should know about and pay close attention to what those food allergies mean for your menu. It is estimated out of every 133 Americans has celiac disease and while a gluten free diet is recommended only for people with celiac disease chances are you will come in contact with someone who needs to strictly avoid gluten. People with celiac disease really need to read the labels on condiments especially. Marinades or sauces may contain wheat especially if they contain soy sauce. Also watch out for marinades that are made with beer. Even crumbs from food containing gluten being left behind can be harmful for a child with celiac disease if the crumbs mix with a gluten-free dish. In order to grill safely gluten-free make sure only plain meat and vegetables end up on the grill. Wrapping your meat or corn on the cob in foil is crucial if you don't know if the grill has been cleaned especially after marinades containing gluten have been used or buns have been warmed on the grill. Make sure the spatula only touches plain meats or vegetables cross-contamination with buns or marinades could be dangerous. I also suggest bringing a gluten-free bun with you to the cookout or using a large piece of lettuce as a substitute for a hamburger bun. Parents should also ask if the meat that a host has been prepared for a cookout is plain. Seasoning or soup mixes containing wheat may have been added to the meat. Also meat substitutes like veggie burgers often look like the real thing but can contain wheat. And if squeeze bottles aren't being used try to be first in line to avoid contamination from knives that have touched bread containing gluten. Taking a gluten-free side dish with you can help your child have a safe accompaniment to the entrees. Some options include a bowl of mixed berries baked beans corn on the cob or a gluten-free potato salad. This is important information for everyone to know because the long-term effect of anyone with celiac disease being exposed to gluten is damage to the intestine. Some kids experience symptoms immediately. As a result many parents choose to eat at home in a controlled environment but group cookouts are possible if you are cautious. Instead of turning down an invitation to a cookout this holiday weekend try making one of these simple but delicious gluten-free recipes to bring along with you. You can ensure that your child will have a safe option and these dishes are sure to impress even those without sensitivity to gluten. Baked Beans Ingredients Directions: Buckeye Bars*Ingredients: Directions:**Be sure to let other cookout guests know that this dish contains peanuts. Quinoa Dip Ingredients: Directions: Mix everything together in a bowl. Serve with tortilla chips The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher. This article was published originally on Livescience. e

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