5 Tips for Entertaining Your Gluten-Free Friends

1) Ask Why They Eat Gluten Free

It  may feel like you’re prying, but the reason for a gluten-free diet will make a big difference in your prep work. If your friend eats gluten-free due to celiac disease, you need to worry about issues with cross contamination. You will have to make sure you’re kitchen is throughout cleaned to remove any trace of gluten possibly coming into contact with the food you’re serving. If your friend eats gluten-free to to gluten intolerance then you won’t have to worry about cross contamination, but will still need to make sure that what you’re serving is in fact 100% gluten free in ingredients. If your friend is eating gluten-free as a lifestyle choice, you won’t need to worry about cross contamination and there won’t be any adverse health reactions if something was served accidentally.

2) Take Their Diet Seriously

With the trend of the gluten-free diet on the rise, it is easy to think that someone is just being picky or trying the latest fad-diet. If someone is eating gluten-free whether that be for celiac disease, intolerance or a lifestyle choice it still must be taken seriously. If it’s your opinion that your friend is just being difficult for the sake of it and they don’t need to eat gluten-free, then don’t offer to host a gathering if you won’t take it seriously  Chances are if someone is eating gluten-free, even as a lifestyle choice, they feel better because of it and that’s important to respect.

3) Ask Your Friend for a List of Brands They Trust

When it comes to gluten-free products, we all have our favourites. We know which brands we can trust, which is good for the money and which ones don’t taste like cardboard. Ask your friend which brands they prefer if you’re looking for bread, deserts or snack ideas — many brands carry multiple products so if you know even just one brand (like my favourite, Kinnikinnick Foods) then you can be sure there will be something on the menu they will enjoy.

4) Cook Naturally Gluten Free Foods

If you’re cooking from scratch you will have a better idea of making sure what you’re serving is gluten free. There’s a myth out there that gluten-free means bad, but when you take a look at all the amazing foods that are naturally gluten free, you have a large ingredient menu to pull from.

5) Ask Them If They Would Be More Comfortable Preparing Their Own Food

When it comes to celiac disease and eating outside the home, it can be tricky and frightening. For some, all it takes is one small accidental cross contamination and they’re sick for weeks or more. While it’s would be nicer to just not have to worry, some people are on a strict gluten free diet and only feel comfortable preparing their own food. Don’t take it personally and don’t insist on doing so if they’ve asked to bring their own food. It likely has nothing to do with your cooking, but all to do with them wanting to avoid the terrible side effects and symptoms of a celiac disease or gluten flair.

:: Do you have any tips on hosting gatherings with gluten-free friends? ::

Photo credit: adapted from Lachlan/Flickr