Gluten Free Summer Tips for BBQ's
Top Ten Gluten Free Tips for Safe Outdoor Parties
and BBQs
1. Never show-up without something safe to eat
Always make sure there is something safe for you to eat at any event. Offer to bring a salad or side dish with plenty of protein in it. If you bring a dish that is just carbohydrates, you'll be hungry before the party is over.
2. Call ahead and ask what
they are serving
Most hosts and hostesses are more
than happy to tell you a few things they are serving. Explain you are on a
restricted diet. Ask if there will be
any plain fruit salad or green salads. They will most likely be more than happy
to leave the salad dressing and croutons on the side. This is a great time to
ask if they are marinating the chicken or what brand of hot dogs they are
serving. You can then go do your research and see if you will be safe eating
the prepared foods.
3. Have them grill the meat
first and then the buns
Nothing is more nerve wracking then watching your beautiful burger be ruined by bread crumbs. Speak up! Ask to have the meat grilled first and then have them heat up the buns. You can safely whisk away your burger or chicken before the "regular" bread is even outdoors.
4. Offer to bring a fruit salad
Fruit salad is a welcome addition to any party. If you bring the fruit, you are assured to have a healthy, safe and delicious dessert.
Nothing is more nerve wracking then watching your beautiful burger be ruined by bread crumbs. Speak up! Ask to have the meat grilled first and then have them heat up the buns. You can safely whisk away your burger or chicken before the "regular" bread is even outdoors.
4. Offer to bring a fruit salad
Fruit salad is a welcome addition to any party. If you bring the fruit, you are assured to have a healthy, safe and delicious dessert.
5. Aluminum Foil is your
Friend!
Cooking on a contaminated grill? Cook on a piece of double thick aluminum foil. This will allow you to prepare your foods on the same grill without the risk of cross-contamination.
Cooking on a contaminated grill? Cook on a piece of double thick aluminum foil. This will allow you to prepare your foods on the same grill without the risk of cross-contamination.
6. Bring your own
buns
You can easily bring buns to a friend's
house for a barbeque. Just toast the buns at home in a gluten-free toaster and
spread a little butter or olive oil on the bun and wrap it in aluminum
foil. At your destination, ask them to throw the foil pouch on the grill
(preferably a spot where there were no other buns) and heat it for a minute. Or
wrap it in plastic wrap and microwave it for a few seconds. It will soften the
bun and be nice and warm.
7. Know your
alcohol
Many of you will want to have a drink or two at your summer barbeques. If a gluten-free beer or glass of wine isn't available, make sure you know which alcohol is safe on a gluten-free diet. Many are considered to be safe, but some are not.
Many of you will want to have a drink or two at your summer barbeques. If a gluten-free beer or glass of wine isn't available, make sure you know which alcohol is safe on a gluten-free diet. Many are considered to be safe, but some are not.
8. Marinades, BBQ Sauces and
Salad Dressings can be sneaky
This is one of those areas that you
really need to read labels. There are many mainstream brands of sauces,
marinades and salad dressings that are gluten-free. Ask to read the labels of what you are eating. If
they already threw the bottle out, then go without! Better safe than sorry when
it comes to prepared foods.
9. Eat ahead of time if you
are worried about getting sick or embarrassed to bring
food
No one will know if you eat a big
meal before you get to your barbeque gathering. If you are terrified of getting
sick, have already gotten sick at that person's home, or just plain embarrassed
to bring along food, eat before you go. No one will even notice that you are
only eating fruit and some veggies. Half the people will probably be on a diet
doing the same thing as you for different reasons.
10. Relax and enjoy
yourself
Do your homework, enlist the help of
those that love you in keeping your food safe, and then relax. You can make
yourself sick worrying about the cross-contamination issues. Make the effort to educate your host/hostess, bring
something to eat in case there is nothing available, and enjoy the company of
those around you!
As my mother says, "life is not a dress rehearsal!". Go enjoy it - just be safe...
Shared from Rachel - my Celiac friend.
Kris
As my mother says, "life is not a dress rehearsal!". Go enjoy it - just be safe...
Shared from Rachel - my Celiac friend.
Kris
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