This year my office is preparing an Easter egg hunt. I will watch as my co-workers devour their findings but being a coeliac I will more than likely be unable to consume any myself.
Upsetting though it may seem I have over the last 17 years learned to deal with events or occasions. Thankfully as I always had my mum looking out for me as a chocolate loving kid, I never felt deprived.
Upsetting though it may seem I have over the last 17 years learned to deal with events or occasions. Thankfully as I always had my mum looking out for me as a chocolate loving kid, I never felt deprived.
If this year is your first Easter as a coeliac or gluten intolerant then I hope you find this post useful. If you are here looking to cater for a coeliac of gluten intolerant; friend, co-worker, significant other or family member; thank you. Finally if you are a seasoned coeliac please feel free to leave your own tips and helpful information in the comments.
The number one rule when it comes to Easter Eggs is of course, as always read the labels. Manufacturers
can always change the ingredients lists or add allergen statements
without you knowing unless you read. There are multiple guides to be found online about how to read labels or you can check out my own little guide which can be found here.
The
second rule when it comes to chocolate and Easter is that it is always
safer to avoid flavours and fillings. Ask yourself, does this have a
gooey peppermint center, if the answer is yes then it is safer to leave
it out.
One of the most common unsafe ingredients added to chocolate bars is Barley Malt Extract which can be found in a variety of chocolates including Lindt and Maltesers.There is however no need to fret, there are still some Gluten Free eggs that us chocolate lovers or our kids can indulge in this Easter weekend.
Of course the celebrations aren't limited to chocolate; family get-to-gethers, friendly catch-ups and all sorts of other events can take place over a long weekend.
Some great tips if you are eating out over the Easter period can be found here.
If
you are going to a family or friends for lunch or dinner, don't forget
to let them know or remind them about your allergies. The one thing I've
had to remember is that just because gluten, cross-contamination and
crippling food allergies are at the front of your mind doesn't mean that
everyone else will remember. In fact from my experience more than half
the people, including my extended family will forget that I can't have
that gravy they've just poured all over my baked potato.
A few ways you can ensure that you don't go hungry but don't feel like a burden are:
- Offer to bring a side dish or small part of the meal
- Eat before hand.
- Pack some sneaky back up snacks, just in case!
Although nothing beats reading the ingredient labels and I still strongly reccomend you do; I have compiled a list of the most popular brands in Woolworths, Coles and other department stores and have created a quick glance guide as to whether or not they are gluten free.
