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Healthy Gluten Free Consulting Can Help You

By Claudine Hodges


Understanding the issues around gluten is becoming essential for those who work in the food industry. Incidences of gluten intolerance and celiacs disease are on the rise and consumers are demanding that restaurants and food companies provide gluten free options. Now there are specialists offering healthy gluten free consulting for businesses to train their staff and make sure their practices are of the necessary standard.

Recent research has shed new light on the problem and shown that it can be extremely detrimental to health for those whose bodies cannot process it. Gluten causes inflammation of the stomach and gut and possible even the cardiovascualr system. Over the years the toll exacted by the inflammation can be very serious. One study estimated that people with gluten intolerance have higher rates of heart disease and cancer than those who do not. On a daily basis the symptoms can be crippling making the person feel ill and suffer headaches, nausea, sickness, diarrhoeia and many other symptoms.

To avoid gluten completely it is necessary to understand how food is produced and where it is present either as an ingredient or as a result of cross-contamination. Both are potentially harmful. This is why it is difficult for restaurants to guarantee gluten free food. Most celiacs do not eat out because they cannot be sure that chefs staff in restaurants understand the problem fully, but this is changing.

It is a protein contained in wheat, it is what makes bread chewy. Therefore any product which contains wheat is out of the question. These days is is used in a surprising number of manufactured food products as it is a cheap and effective thickening agent. It is no longer just in baked products ice cream, chocolate and sausages and many more products often contain wheat. Other cereals such as oats are often contaminated whilst being prepared and packaged so there are now separate gluten free versions.

At home gluten intolerant people also have to be careful of contamination of their food if other members of the house are eating wheat. Separate chopping boards, oils and utensils make life much easier. Trace amounts can affect health so it is essential that good kitchen practices are followed.

There is a lot to learn when it comes to wheat free food. These days many specialists are offering consulting services to individuals and companies who need to know exactly how to produce and source safe food. Individuals can take workshops in understanding food labels, preparation of food, and even have help to make meal planners.

Front of house staff also need to be trained in helping customers with gluten intolerance. They need to know the history of the problem and how to question and reassure clients. Waiting staff should be able to converse with customers to advise them which dishes to avoid and of any dishes which can be altered to cater for the client.

In recent decades the incidence of gluten intolerance has been rising and many doctors and researcher fear the problem is massively under diagnosed. This means that in future increasing numbers of people will have to avoid it. Whether it is affecting you or your clients a consultant can help you understand this complex issue to be sure that healthy practice are followed.




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