Gluten-free diet at home

Poor food handling is a common problem, whether at the service level (in restaurants and the like), or at home. The gluten-free diet at home is crucial for people with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity, as it allows them to maintain good health and prevent serious symptoms.

But this means being extra careful, especially when sharing with family members without the condition who are on a gluten-free diet. A host of details should be kept in mind, such as not frying foods in oils in which a gluten-containing product was previously fried; being careful not to take salt and sugar out of their containers with your hand or the same spoon that has been used on gluten-containing foods; being careful with the refrigerator handle so as not to transfer gluten.

Here are some tips and suggestions for a gluten-free diet at home:

• Familiarize yourself with gluten-free foods: It is important to know which foods are naturally gluten-free, such as gluten-free fruits, vegetables, meats, fish, eggs and dairy. It is also important to know which foods contain gluten, such as wheat, barley, rye and oats, and to carefully read labels on processed products.

• Maintain a gluten-free kitchen: To avoid cross-contamination with gluten, it is important to maintain a gluten-free kitchen at home.

This involves:

• Cooking gluten-free foods first.

• Having separate cookware for preparing and cooking gluten-free foods.

• Using separate towels and sponges.

• Using aluminum foil or other insulation to cover gluten-free foods.

• Use utensils and appliances exclusively for gluten-free foods.

• Store gluten-free foods in a separate location from gluten-containing foods.

Plan your meals in advance: Planning your meals in advance can help ensure that you have enough gluten-free options available. It will also help you avoid having to improvise with foods that may contain gluten.

Try new gluten-free recipes: There are many gluten-free recipes