Category: News

Study of Allergen Advisory Statements

Gluten Free Watchdog, with the coauthorship of our own Dietitian Advisor Trisha Lyons RD. LD., has recently published the study “Allergen Advisory Statements for Wheat: NOT a Useful Predictor of Gluten Content”.

Gluten Free Watchdog statement.

You can read the full text of the article.

In the US, allergen advisory statements (“Made in a facility that also processes wheat” and similar) are voluntary and are not currently defined by any federal regulation.

What this study found is that products that have warning statements such as “May contain wheat” or “Made in a facility with wheat” might be without gluten and just fine to eat. On the other hand, the lack of a statement did not mean that a product was free of gluten.

Target Halloween Allergen Guide 2016

Found a display in the Halloween candy area of Target with a tear off sheet titled: 2016 Halloween Allergen Guide. Click the link to see the guide at the Target website.

The Guide states: “The allergens listed for the 2016 candy items below have been confirmed by our manufacturers, and listed in their ingredient statement.”

The items are separated into 3 categories: those free of listed allergens (milk, soy, egg, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, gluten), those which contain milk and/or soy (but no gluten), and those free of gluten (with no designation of other allergens).

Shopping for (and enjoying) Halloween candy will definitely be easier this year.

Thanks, Target!!!!!!!!

Ask the Dietitian: Eating Gluten-Free While in Hospital

Question: I have to stay at [a local hospital overnight and they are not very helpful with gluten free options. I was told I have to pick food off the regular menu. I can’t believe a hospital does not have gf food. Suggestions? Thanks.

Answer: Thank you for writing with this excellent question. Patients who require a gluten-free diet should certainly be able to eat safely & nutritiously while in the hospital, of all places! Here are some suggestions:

1) Contact an inpatient clinical dietitian or food service supervisor at the hospital to discuss your medical dietary needs (Is it safe to assume you have celiac disease?) Please explain that your diet is not a choice but rather the sole treatment for your autoimmune disease.
2) While the hospital may not offer specialized GF items such as bread or pasta, they do serve numerous foods which happen to be naturally gluten-free. If they have not done so already, they should identify those foods and provide a detailed list from which you and future patients can select.
3) If your inpatient stay will last longer than a few days (during which time you should expect to receive variety and balanced, nutritious meals), the dietary department may wish to consider providing frozen GF entrees for increased variety as a simple, short-term solution.
4) Please ask how the hospital handles allergies (e.g. allergy wrist band?) While you technically do not have an allergy, this type of flag will raise awareness when hospital staff is providing food and medication.
5) Speaking of meds, please notify the nursing staff and pharmacy of your gluten restriction.
6) If something does not “look” or seem right, please inquire. Humans make mistakes. If a staff member quickly dismisses your concern, ask to speak with a supervisor or chef.
7) Lastly, you may be able or even encouraged to bring in your own food. While you may choose this option, it should certainly not be a necessity.

All hospitals should be able to meet the medical dietary needs of their patients. Best wishes to you.

Trisha B. Lyons, RDN

Las Vegas mini trip

My husband and I recently attended a niece’s wedding in Las Vegas – just a ‘mini trip’ of about 3 days. Who knew Las Vegas had so very much to offer.
My gluten- free diet needs were easily and deliciously accommodated in 3 venues:
‘The Buffet’ restaurant Excalibur Hotel/Casino, where the maître d’ summoned the chef who walked the buffet (including 3 gluten-free cake varieties) with us. The chef mentioned that he will be adding gluten-free labeling to the buffet soon. This became our go-to place for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
Buddy V Ristorante located in The Venetian Hotel/Casino provided a helpful maître d’ and a wonderful Italian meal with gluten-free pasta.
Mandalay Bay Hotel/Casino’s House of Blues restaurant actually had an extensive gluten-free menu. Another delicious, safe meal there.
So, if these 3 venues are indicative of eating gluten-free in Las Vegas, no worries!
In addition to eating well and socializing, in those few short days we managed to visit Red Rock Canyon, the Grand Canyon (western edge) and the Hoover Dam – all of which were spectacular sites.
If you find yourself visiting Las Vegas, my advice to you is to eat well and enjoy as much of the area as you can – it is well worth the trip (mini or otherwise).