10 Gluten-Free Predictions for the New Decade

Whether 2020 will be your first year eating gluten-free or you have been eating gluten-free for over a decade (like myself), the new year and new decade offer many gluten-free possibilities. While there have been major improvements in gluten-free life in the last decade, there are far more gluten-free advances that are necessary. Imagine how fantastic gluten-free life will be in 2029 when hopefully most of these gluten-free predictions become a reality! 

Here are my gluten-free predictions in random order. Which ones do you hope will come true? What would you add to this list?

1. Significant increase in the number of Americans diagnosed with celiac disease.

2. Broader awareness of celiac disease symptoms, treatment, and health complications.

3. Gluten disclosed on all medication labels.

4. More colleges offering dining halls that are gluten-free, allergen-free, and vegan, following the examples of the University of North Texas and Michigan State.

5. Gluten-free meals and snacks widely available at hospitals, nursing homes, school cafeterias, work cafeterias, sports and entertainment venues, airlines, hotels, and programs for feeding the homeless.

6. The celiac pill will be available. One option could be available as early as 2021, while a vaccine is being fast-tracked by the FDA. 

7. We will see a big increase in 100% gluten-free restaurants as well as many restaurants adding gluten-free menus without cross-contamination that are truly safe for people with celiac disease.

8. Store brand products will be commonly labeled as gluten-free, offering a much-needed way for gluten-free consumers to save money. 

9. The FDA will enforce proper use of the gluten-free label.

10. Tasty new gluten-free products will meet the demands of many special dietary needs, including vegan, keto, plant-based, allergen-free, low sugar, low carb, and more.

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New Resource for Gluten-Free College Students

The National Foundation for Celiac Awareness (NFCA) has a new digital publication for gluten-free college students called GREAT U. The terrific resource is a must read for gluten-free high school students applying to college. Those already in college will find the guide handy not only for themselves, but for helping roommates and friends understand the gluten-free diet. Parents will enjoy reading GREAT U, especially the tips on how to make the ultimate gluten-free package.  

 

“GREAT U was created to build gluten-free students’ confidence and empower them to take action on their own behalf while on campus. All students deserve a GREAT college experience, and this publication helps them do just that.”

 

Here are my favorite articles in GREAT U:  

• Gluten-Free No-Nos in the Dining Hall 
• Gluten-Free One Liners
• Hurdling the Obstacles
• Dating Dos and Don’ts 
• Great Stories from Our GREAT Schools (Emory University, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, and University of Colorado Boulder)
• How to Start Your Own Gluten-Free Advocacy Group on Campus

 

Thanks to Kelly Clayton, NFCA’s college intern, and Udi’s Gluten-Free for making this resource possible! Click here to download GREAT U. When you are done reading it, be sure to click the reader feedback button at the bottom to let NFCA know how great you think it is.

The Gluten-Free Guide to College

The Gluten-Free Guide to College is the result of a nationwide research study.  It is based on responses from over 70 gluten-free college students and ten anonymous interviews with dining services directors. Rebecca Panzer, a registered dietitian, shares professional advice in three areas: First Steps, Living On and Off Campus, and New Friends.  Click here to download the 12-page guide.  

"The research projected was conducted as the capstone to Rebecca Panzer, Ma, RD, LD’s master’s degree in Health Communication from Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts. It was completed in educational collaboration with the Celiac Center at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. The survey component of the study will be started again in late July through the Celiac Center at Beth Israel Deaconess Medication Center. Interested participants should contact celiac@bidmc.harvard.edu for more information."

Choosing a College Based on Gluten-Free Accommodations

An article in Food Management Magazine called Thinking Outside the Bread Box begins with a statement that unfortunately is a reality for some high school students. "High-school seniors are choosing colleges based on whether or not they can safely eat there."

The article talks about positive gluten-free accommodations at the University of Nebraska and the University of California Berkeley. It also explains that it may be easier to provide foods that are naturally gluten-free, like a quick stir fry or serving eggs for dinner. Cross-contamination is described and how purchasing pre-made gluten-free breads and pizza crusts can be helpful.

The article also mentions gluten-free menus at the Lehigh Valley Hospital in Allentown, PA, and the Cancer Treatment Centers in Philadelphia, PA. Most importantly, the GREAT (Gluten-free Resource Education Awareness Training) program from NFCA is mentioned.

With informative articles like this one, we can look forward to the day when students with celiac disease can choose a college based on its academic merits, not a dietary restriction!

Gluten-Free Dining at College: USA Today Article Describes Accommodations

In the USA Today article, “Colleges accommodate more students with food allergies”, some colleges offering gluten-free meals are mentioned. The article also mentions a great new resource, the College Network, from The Food and Allergy Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN).

The College Network is a growing searchable database of over 40 colleges that provide accommodations. In addition to mentioning gluten-free meals at the University of New Hampshire, the article describes allergy-free kitchens at Brown University, the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Mass., and Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, Pa.

New Gluten Free Options at Ithaca College

Susannah Faulkner, a junior politics major and SGA senator at Ithaca College, is working hard to improve celiac disease awareness on campus. As a result of her efforts, students at Ithaca College have some safe gluten-free dining options. Below is a quote from the article she wrote in The Ithacan newspaper.

"Starting this past week, the Campus Center Dining Hall installed a 'gluten-free pantry,' which includes main gluten-free staples such as bread, wraps, pasta, bagels and cereal. Also, there is a toaster and a microwave exclusively for gluten-free products along with individually portioned peanut butter, jelly, cream cheese and butter."

She also intends to start a club on campus for students with special dietary needs.

Gluten-Free Dining at College: Syracuse University and University of Maryland

This recent article explains the struggle with gluten-free and casein-free dining at the University of Maryland at College Park. The student featured in the article is also a vegetarian, which further reduces her food options.

On a more positive note, this video from Citrus TV at Syracuse University shows many gluten-free options and mentions that a celiac support group will be forming on campus.

For more information about gluten-free dining at college:
Book review: GLEE! An Easy Guide to Gluten-Free Independence
In August, five Pennsylvania colleges completed NFCA's GREAT program.

Gluten Free Gratefully Review: Delicious Cookie Gifts

In April 2009, Cookies from Home started a line of gluten-free gifts, Gluten Free, Gratefully. While the gluten-free cookies are not made in a dedicated gluten-free facility, they are made on dedicated equipment. When one of the owners, Barry Brooks, wanted to send me a free box of these gourmet cookies, he provided me with more information about the “stringent steps” they take to prevent cross-contamination.

“We have a separate mixer used exclusively for our gf cookies in our mixing room that we keep covered at all times unless in use. We always make these mixes first and place the dough in special color coded pails which are kept separately in our walk in cooler from the other cookie batches. As soon as this mixer is finished being used, we cover it and begin our other cookie mixes. We mix every other day, so any airborne particulates have settled in the almost 48 hour period. When baking the gf cookies, we have separate sheet pans, oven mitts, and specially designated oven that is used specifically for this product. After the cookies come out of the oven they are put in separate Tupperware-like containers which are tightly sealed. All of the utensils and containers mentioned previously including the spatulas are color coded to separate their use on or with our other cookies.”

The cookie gifts are normally shipped FedEx two day from the bakery in Tempe, Arizona and are guaranteed to be received within 48 hours of baking. The shipping cost is around $10.95, but it could be more depending on the gift and location. The diameter of the cookies is approximately 2.5 inches. Some of the ingredients are rice flour, potato starch, tapioca starch, and Xanthan Gum.

All five flavors are very good, sweet, and soft, so it is hard to pick a favorite. My two favorites are the Triple Treats (chocolate chips, walnuts, and plump raisins) and Mac the Nut (white chocolate chips and macadamia nuts). The chocolate chip cookies were extremely soft and moist.

The company recommends storing them in an air-tight container. On the third day of storing these cookies on the counter in a Ziploc bag, they were almost as soft as the first day. On the third day, I put the remaining two cookies in the refrigerator and then heated them in the microwave for 10 seconds before eating on the fourth day. They were still very fresh.

Here is a quote from my eight-year-old daughter, who eats gluten.

“These cookies taste like gluten. My two favorites are the Fudgies (chocolate cookies with chocolate chips) and the chocolate chip. The chocolate chip cookies are better than the ones at my school cafeteria.”

We both agreed on two things that would make these cookies even better: more chocolate chips in the chocolate chip cookies and more peanut butter in the Peanut-n-Butter cookies. We would both happily eat all the flavors again!

If you are interested in trying these cookies without a gift box, the best deal is only available by phone – 22 cookies for $14.50. The cheapest cookie gift box on the website is the sampler of 13 cookies for $22. There are several gifts of 12 cookies for $23 and 22 cookies for $37. The Happy Birthday tin contains 39 cookies and the price is $53.50. The Walking on Sunshine gift box is appropriate for any occasion and is available in several sizes. These would be the perfect gift to send to gluten-free kids at college.

Update 9/29/09 - After reading my review, Barry Brooks told me they will be adding more chocolate chips and peanut butter like we suggested!

Book Review: GLEE! An Easy Guide to Gluten-Free Independence

I met Elizabeth Atkinson, a tween fiction author, on facebook. I also follow her on twitter and read her gluten free blog. I was thrilled when she wanted to send me a copy of her book. She wrote the book for college students including her daughter, who attends college in DC. I have been hearing about the book for several months, but it wasn’t until I received the book that I understood why it is called Glee!. This is the term Elizabeth uses in her house and throughout the book to refer to gluten free. Glee comes from the gl in gluten and the ee in free.

The book is a pocket guide and published by Clan Thompson. It is larger than I expected, but I think it is the perfect size to make it easy to read. The length of the book is almost 8 inches and the width is 5 inches, which will only fit in a large purse, but great for college backpacks. The large font makes it especially easy to quickly skim and find the information you need.

The book is positive and encouraging, and I enjoyed reading it. It is filled with important gluten free information. The chapter called “the practical information” is one you will find yourself using often. It includes the Clan Thompson 2009 smart list for candy. There are lists of over-the-counter meds, sodas, other beverages, and chips. The previous chapter “the lists” contains three detailed lists: “what you can eat, what you should avoid or question, and what you cannot eat” and is a very handy reference.

Glee! also includes information about cross contamination, restaurants, traveling, eating at college, apartment appliances, and basic recipes. Elizabeth teaches readers basic methods for cooking chicken, fish, pork, and beef in addition to other recipes. There are lots of great websites listed in the back, but unfortunately she does not mention anywhere in the book about gluten free blogs, twitter, facebook, message boards, and support groups, which are tremendous resources not only for college students, but for anyone with celiac disease.

There are a few things missing from the book that I would have added regarding cross contamination. Aluminum foil is useful for preventing cross contamination on grills, shared toaster ovens, and in ovens. At fast food restaurants, it is important to request that food handlers change gloves. When sharing an apartment with others who eat gluten, be especially cautious about cross contamination from cereal dust and airborne gluten flour. Teach roommates to wash their hands immediately after touching gluten to prevent gluten crumbs from spreading through the kitchen.

Glee! is written in a friendly style that will appeal to college students. Some parts are even funny. I especially like her reminder in the alcohol section that you need to be 21 to drink. In addition to being a great book for college students and their parents, I highly recommend giving Glee! to roommates, friends, and even extended family members who don’t fully understand the gluten free diet.

Note: Glee! is not a guide to selecting a college with good gluten free dining options. I searched and found these resources.

Silly Yaks yahoo group messages
-St. Mary’s College, Notre Dame, IN

-University of Mary Washington in VA

Occidental College

NC State University

Ohio State University interview

College food service survey

Universities with gluten free menu options