Do I prefer to be gluten-free?
A few months ago I met my family to go out to dinner at a larger chain restaurant. It was my birthday so my mom wanted to treat me and it
The “Fad”
Today at least half of the restaurants that you walk into will show gluten-free options or a completely separate gluten-free menu. There are
The advent of so much gluten-free in the market has made it increasingly difficult for folks to take the issue seriously and that is a dangerous thing. There is no doubt that the ever growing market and demand for gluten-free products is present, but with creating a product to meet certain dietary restrictions there is also a responsibility to maintain that product to be sure it is safe for that market to consume. This second part is what people are failing to see. For instance, if you walk into an Italian restaurant that offers gluten-free items, is the gluten-free pasta boiled in the same water as gluten-full pasta? What about a restaurant that has french fries on their gluten-free menu, are those fries fried in the same oil that is used to fry breaded foods? If you go to a local bakery to purchase a few gluten-free treats, is it a gluten-free bakery or do they produce regular wheat products on site as well? If so, how careful are they about cross contamination? It is really nice to be able to stop somewhere and grab a quick treat, but what are the consequences to those who have those dietary restrictions? Unlike many other conditions the damage on the body of someone who is truly gluten intolerant or has Celiac Disease may not be obvious. But each time they consume a gluten containing product they are re-damaging or adding to already present damage in their digestive tract. For me, I can tell without any hesitation that I have been contaminated with gluten, but it is not the case for everyone. Does a business hold the responsibility of causing medical damage to a person? No, they place disclaimers in menus telling diners to be cautious because there is a risk of contamination. Ultimately, it is our responsibility to choose what we consume and what we do not, but there is no doubt that businesses are feeding off the ignorance of those who are trying to heal.
For anyone who has transitioned to being gluten-free, they know how difficult it can be. It is not simply choosing gluten-free bread and using gluten-free flours, you have to check labels and ask questions for all the places that gluten can possibly be present. For our bodies to heal, we have to be consistent and diligent in our food choices. While I can choose what I put in my body and the bodies of my children, I do feel that businesses need to carefully decide if it is safe to market to the diets of those with dietary restrictions.
At Kickshaws Downtown Market, all gluten-free products are produced in dedicated gluten-free facilities.