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Showing posts with label foods to avoid. Show all posts
Showing posts with label foods to avoid. Show all posts

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

is maltodextrin gluten free?

Andrea and I come across questionable ingredients all the time, even after five years of living gluten free, we still continue to learn about what foods are safe and which ones are not. maltodextrin is one of those ingredients that we continually scratch our heads over primarily because if it is made from a wheat derivative, it may not be identified on the package. this issue is primarily due to lack of strict food allergen labeling regulations in most countries.

as Andrea and I have written many times, living gluten free requires you to be a bit of an ingredient detective, and in this case, we needed to know what maltodextrin is in the first place. maltodextrin is a common food additive in products like potato chips and yogurt. maltodextrin is classified as a polysaccharide and is produced by the hydrolosis of starch.

in order to determine if maltodextrin is gluten free, it is important to know what starch it was made from. maltodextrin produced in Canada or the US is usually made from rice, corn or potato and these are all gluten free. however, in products made from Europe, maltodextrin is frequently made from wheat.

food labeling regulations in Canada identify wheat as a priority allergen, and therefore, if maltodextrin is derived from wheat, it should be identified in the ingredient list, but it is always recommended to contact the manufacturer directly. also, don’t be fooled by the reference to ‘malt’. maltodextrin does not contain malt.

more on other questionable ingredients coming soon…Robyn.

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Monday, January 25, 2010

organicville gluten free salad dressings


if you are new to the gluten free diet or a seasoned expert,Organicville Foods is a great company to add to your trusted gluten free product list. one click to their website and I was really surprised by the selection of gluten free products they offer! here I was about to rave about their line of gluten free salad dressing, but they also make mustard, salsa, pasta sauce, and barbeque and teriyaki sauce. all of Organicville’s products are gluten free, organic, dairy free and vegan!

Organicville makes 11 gluten free salad dressings including tarragon dijon, non dairy ranch, miso ginger, and my favorite herbs de provence. Organicville mustard (coming soon) will be available in dijon, stone ground, and yellow varieties.

the possible gluten containing ingredient found in salad dressing and mustards is vinegar. vinegar can be distilled from wheat, or can be malted from barley. vinegar can also be distilled from corn, potatoes, beets, or apples to name a few. Bragg, for example, makes gluten free apple cider vinegar. vinegar is more commonly distilled from corn or potato, but it is important to know that some could be made from wheat or barley. to add to the difficulty, some salad dressings like ranch and caesar contain worcestershire sauce that contains malted (barley) vinegar and some also contain soy sauce (soy sauce contains wheat). red and white wine, and even balsamic vinegars, however, are gluten free.

when reading ingredient lists for mustards, don’t let the ingredient ‘mustard flour’ confuse you, it is perfectly safe and gluten free and simply made from ground mustard seed.

there is a lot of debate surrounding the distilling process as well, and whether or not it truly eliminates gluten. Andrea and I wrote a post on gluten free alcohol recently that discusses this issue in more detail.

barbeque and teriyaki sauces typically contain wheat flour or soy sauce and are normally not a part of a gluten free diet, until now…thanks Organicville!  Robyn

organicville foods   |   bragg

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Thursday, January 21, 2010

sweet gluten free

gluten is known to be found in breads, pasta, and cereals, but it is also commonly found in other things like candy and chocolate. gluten containing ingredients to watch out for in confectionary products are wheat flour, wafer, malt, and/or modified food starch.
Andrea and I came across Sharkies a few years ago and have been pretty hooked on them. we were sugar nuts as kids so we were happy to find some sugar treats that were safe to eat. Sharkies are organic fruit chews that are not only gluten free, they are nut free and vegan. Sharkies come in four tasty flavors; citrus squeeze, fruit splash, berry blast, and watermelon scream all in little shark shapes. most natural health food stores will carry Sharkies, including Whole Foods, Capers, and Choices Markets. you can also order bulk (packs of twelve) from the Sharkies website. other candy that I have found to be safe are the natural wine gums in the bulk sections at Save-On Foods and Whole Foods.
as for chocolate, most will contain gluten, but there are many natural chocolatiers that offer safe chocolate including Daniel and Purdy's Chocolates. Dagoba is another organic chocolate bar and cocoa line that is gluten free too. so far Andrea and I have only found one brand of gluten free chocolate chips for baking, called Enjoy Life.
if you have any other gluten free candy recommendations, please leave a comment!  Robyn.
sharkies   |   dagoba   |   enjoy life

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Tuesday, January 5, 2010

gluten free beer


gluten free alcohol can be a tricky subject. most beer and hard alcohols contain wheat, malt, barley, or rye. I had heard of gluten free beer and potato based vodka from several friends over the years, but it wasn't until recently that I found a great selection of gluten free beer at Firefly beer & wine store (12th & cambie) including Bards, La Messagere, and Greens. La Messagere is red ale made from gluten free buckwheat and rice, and is produced in a Quebec based microbrewery. gluten free beer is generally quite expensive, $20 CDN for four bottles.

gin, rum, tequila and sake on the other hand, are naturally gluten free. gin is a spirit whose predominant flavor is derived from juniper berries, rum is made from sugarcane by-products such molasses, tequila is a blue agave based spirit, and sake is made from rice. vodka is unique in that it is mostly made from distilled wheat or rye, but some companies make vodka from potatoes or sugar cane. for a great website on all things vodka including how its made, click here.

alcohol made from wheat grains (wheat, rye, barley) such as whiskey and rye are typically distilled. there is a lot of debate as to whether or not the distilling process actually removes the gluten protein. a fellow gluten free blogger posted an article 'distilling the facts about distillation' that weighs in on the subject. most research suggests that the distillation process does remove the gluten protein from the product making it gluten free and safe for celiacs to consume.

have you tried gluten free beer? if so, post your thoughts!
Happy New Year!  Robyn.

firefly   |   bard's   |   greens

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Monday, December 7, 2009

organic meats, naturally gluten free

oyama sausage, originally uploaded by sifu_renka.
I have become primarily vegetarian over the last several years of living with Celiac Disease, in part, because it is difficult to find safe, gluten free meat products. gluten is often hidden in most deli meat in the form of a flavor enhancer called hydrolyzed vegetable protein (HVP). hydrolyzed vegetable protein can be found in anything from soup stock to meat products, and could contain gluten.
andrea and I have visited several organic grocery stores in vancouver and found gluten free products at a local family run business called Oyama Sausage Co. located in the Granville Island Public Market. Oyama’s green label products are made with select meats, sea salt, herbs and spices, honey or organic sugar, and sometimes wine. no nitrates or nitrites are added and sustainable farming practices are also a core principle of the business. all but two of their meat products are gluten free. the two that are not are their blood sausages, the Boudin Noir and the Black Pudding do contain gluten. try andrea's personal favorite the Cuban Chorizo sausages!

another canadian company, McLeans Organic Meats, also has a variety of meats labeled gluten free. McLeans is currently based in Alberta, but originated in 1998 locally at Capers in Vancouver as a line of meat products called Natural Farms that were all nitrate free. McLeans is sold at Whole Foods and Capers Markets.

other excellent and trusted gluten free deli meat brands are Freybe and Grimm’s Fine Foods that can be found at Save-On Foods, Choices Markets, and IGA.  Robyn.

 oyama sausage co   |   mcleans organic meats   |   freybe   |   grimms fine foods

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Sunday, November 22, 2009

gluten free catering experience: part two

so here are the results of the party I went to the other night at Vancouver Special, catered by Tonina’s Catering & Deli Co. before I went, I called Jark, the owner of the business, to confirm what he planned to serve that would be gluten free, and how would I be able to identify it. it might sound like over-kill to be harassing this man so many times prior to the event, but I will avoid gluten contamination at all costs! I am a breastfeeding mom to my infant girl, and I cannot risk getting sick (more on being a gluten free mom in subsequent posts). he explained that he had prepared two gluten free pizzas with fresh organic toppings and assorted gluten free cheeses, and some gluten free organic deli meats, all of which would be labeled. great! I was so excited to go out to a party, mingle with friends, and eat without worry. as a new mom, I don’t get out to eat very often, and as a celiac I don’t go out to eat very often!

I arrived early-ish and found the food nicely displayed, with lot’s of space between the trays, so I felt that cross contamination would be minimal. I was most curious about the gluten free pizza's and was saddened to see that most of them were already eaten! I did get to try a few pieces that were saved for me and they were excellent! the ingredient label is shown here, and I doubt the photo does this pizza any justice. not only was the crust just the way I like it, thin and crispy, the toppings were superb. this was definitely one of the best pizzas I’ve ever eaten, except for the margarita pizzas Robyn and I gobbled on our way around Italy when we were younger (pre-celiac). I thought, this people is how it’s done! I have actually become accustomed to thick, doughy, white rice pizza crusts, and have even convinced my husband they are good! so in my opinion the pizza was a big hit, and would not hesitate to order these from Tonina’s again, maybe for my birthday!

I continued along the buffet table to try some of the other goodies, only to find the gluten free cheeses on the same tray as some kind of bun/ pastry? the cheese was being sliced, put on these buns, and being sliced again…whoops, contaminated, don’t touch! ok, let me try the meats. there were two kinds of deli meats labeled gluten free, some ham and some turkey, both of which were very tasty and fresh. they were on the same tray as non-gluten free meats but were separated by wax paper, well done Tonina’s!

the final item that was labeled gluten free were rice crispy squares, which made me excited, however on closer inspection, I could see oats, and corn flakes in the ingredients list, so I didn’t try them, sorry Tonina’s. oats and corn flakes are very tricky to navigate for celiacs. recent research claims that oats are in fact safe for people with celiac disease because it does not contain gluten, but oats are thought to be unsafe due to contamination with barley primarily during processing. it is possible to find gluten free oats (more on this subject soon), and corn flakes. for example, Nature's Path Organics makes gluten free corn flakes but other mainstream labels such as Kellogg's add barley malt to their corn flakes as a flavoring agent.

so would I recommend Tonina’s Catering & Deli Co? yes I would, but with the advice that you must work closely with Jark, or another staff member to ensure that the ingredients are 100% gluten free, and that safe food handling practices are met. plan your event well in advance, and ask questions! I found Jark to be extremely knowledgeable about food in general, and seems passionate about his business. stay tuned for part three where I visit Tonina’s and Jark in person to find out more about how they can provide a safe and enjoyable gluten free catered event.  Andrea


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Thursday, November 19, 2009

gluten free goes mainstream thanks to general mills

chex cereal, originally uploaded by rachellake.
despite the growing numbers of people diagnosed with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity (estimates are approximately 1 in 100 people although this ratio is growing), gluten free alternatives are still hard to find in the conventional marketplace. over the years I have wished that gluten free options were more readily available at non-specialty stores for convenience and price. gluten free products like bread, pizza and crackers are typically three times as expensive as regular products. 

gradually though, I have seen more wide spread availability of gluten free products, albeit in a limited selection, at least for now. finding gluten free in most grocery store chains can still feel as though you are looking for a needle in a haystack. it is so helpful when grocery stores such as Choices Market take the time to develop a gluten free product listing brochure to help guide you through the store (I still wish for whole gluten free sections).

one example of where conventional has gone gluten free is with one of the biggest food manufacturers, General Mills. the company recently launched a gluten free product line, which I find very interesting. the gluten free reality is catching on. gluten free products from General Mills include Betty Crocker cookie and cake mixes and the Big G Chex cereal (comes in six flavours including Rice Chex and Honey Nut Chex). Rohan Thakur, the Chex cereal marketing manager recently stated “this is a revolutionary step forward for consumers who want easy and affordable access to gluten-free food options.” and I couldn’t agree more.

barley malt flour, the gluten containing ingredient, has been substituted with molasses to make the cereal line all gluten free!

I am currently trying to find out where these products are available in vancouver, so check back soon for updates. and, if you have seen these products anywhere, please let us know! Robyn.

betty crocker   |   chex

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gluten free catering experience: part one

I have been invited to an industry event tomorrow night at Vancouver Special on Main Street. I am excited about the party, but nervous about what kind of food will be served. the invite states that the event will be catered by another Main Street business called Tonina’s Deli & Catering Company. I’ve never heard of them, so I went to their website to find out more about them, and what kind of food they offer.


I got excited when I saw under the baking section they state clearly that gluten free options are available. good news! they don’t explain, however what those items might be, so I decided to call ahead to find out what I could expect at the event.

the owner’s name is Jark, and I spoke with him directly, he answered the phone. when I told him I was attending the ‘party for architects’ he knew right away which event I was referring to. I explained that I was calling to find out what gluten free options they have and if he could ensure some of the catered menu was gluten free. Jark was excited to discuss the menu, telling me that the order was for an assortment of meats, cheeses, and of course bread. he was also planning to make small pizzas, and said he would love to make me gluten free pizza, and could easily make it out of spelt.

“um, spelt,” I said. “Jark, I can’t eat spelt, it is not gluten free.”

“oh, are you that sensitive,” he asks?

“yes I have Celiac Disease, I am gluten intolerant.”

“oh I see,” he said. “then why don’t you send me some recipes and I’ll see what I can make for you! I want you to enjoy the party for architects.”

“ok, but one other thing, are the meats you are serving gluten free?”

“well the organic meats are, yes, but the regular meats are not. let me confirm with my organic suppliers to make sure.”

“thanks, but how will I know which meats are the gluten free ones,” I ask?

“well, that’s no problem, I will label them for you.”

wow, what personalized service. this man is out to do his best, just for me. as far as he knows, I am the only gluten free guest attending this party. despite the slip with the spelt, I have to say I am very impressed with his willingness to accommodate me.

stay tuned for part two where I write about the party and whether or not my gluten free dreams actually come true!  Andrea.

tonina’s deli & catering co  |   vancouver special   |   grains & flour

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Showing posts with label foods to avoid. Show all posts
Showing posts with label foods to avoid. Show all posts

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

is maltodextrin gluten free?

Andrea and I come across questionable ingredients all the time, even after five years of living gluten free, we still continue to learn about what foods are safe and which ones are not. maltodextrin is one of those ingredients that we continually scratch our heads over primarily because if it is made from a wheat derivative, it may not be identified on the package. this issue is primarily due to lack of strict food allergen labeling regulations in most countries.

as Andrea and I have written many times, living gluten free requires you to be a bit of an ingredient detective, and in this case, we needed to know what maltodextrin is in the first place. maltodextrin is a common food additive in products like potato chips and yogurt. maltodextrin is classified as a polysaccharide and is produced by the hydrolosis of starch.

in order to determine if maltodextrin is gluten free, it is important to know what starch it was made from. maltodextrin produced in Canada or the US is usually made from rice, corn or potato and these are all gluten free. however, in products made from Europe, maltodextrin is frequently made from wheat.

food labeling regulations in Canada identify wheat as a priority allergen, and therefore, if maltodextrin is derived from wheat, it should be identified in the ingredient list, but it is always recommended to contact the manufacturer directly. also, don’t be fooled by the reference to ‘malt’. maltodextrin does not contain malt.

more on other questionable ingredients coming soon…Robyn.

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Monday, January 25, 2010

organicville gluten free salad dressings


if you are new to the gluten free diet or a seasoned expert,Organicville Foods is a great company to add to your trusted gluten free product list. one click to their website and I was really surprised by the selection of gluten free products they offer! here I was about to rave about their line of gluten free salad dressing, but they also make mustard, salsa, pasta sauce, and barbeque and teriyaki sauce. all of Organicville’s products are gluten free, organic, dairy free and vegan!

Organicville makes 11 gluten free salad dressings including tarragon dijon, non dairy ranch, miso ginger, and my favorite herbs de provence. Organicville mustard (coming soon) will be available in dijon, stone ground, and yellow varieties.

the possible gluten containing ingredient found in salad dressing and mustards is vinegar. vinegar can be distilled from wheat, or can be malted from barley. vinegar can also be distilled from corn, potatoes, beets, or apples to name a few. Bragg, for example, makes gluten free apple cider vinegar. vinegar is more commonly distilled from corn or potato, but it is important to know that some could be made from wheat or barley. to add to the difficulty, some salad dressings like ranch and caesar contain worcestershire sauce that contains malted (barley) vinegar and some also contain soy sauce (soy sauce contains wheat). red and white wine, and even balsamic vinegars, however, are gluten free.

when reading ingredient lists for mustards, don’t let the ingredient ‘mustard flour’ confuse you, it is perfectly safe and gluten free and simply made from ground mustard seed.

there is a lot of debate surrounding the distilling process as well, and whether or not it truly eliminates gluten. Andrea and I wrote a post on gluten free alcohol recently that discusses this issue in more detail.

barbeque and teriyaki sauces typically contain wheat flour or soy sauce and are normally not a part of a gluten free diet, until now…thanks Organicville!  Robyn

organicville foods   |   bragg

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Thursday, January 21, 2010

sweet gluten free

gluten is known to be found in breads, pasta, and cereals, but it is also commonly found in other things like candy and chocolate. gluten containing ingredients to watch out for in confectionary products are wheat flour, wafer, malt, and/or modified food starch.
Andrea and I came across Sharkies a few years ago and have been pretty hooked on them. we were sugar nuts as kids so we were happy to find some sugar treats that were safe to eat. Sharkies are organic fruit chews that are not only gluten free, they are nut free and vegan. Sharkies come in four tasty flavors; citrus squeeze, fruit splash, berry blast, and watermelon scream all in little shark shapes. most natural health food stores will carry Sharkies, including Whole Foods, Capers, and Choices Markets. you can also order bulk (packs of twelve) from the Sharkies website. other candy that I have found to be safe are the natural wine gums in the bulk sections at Save-On Foods and Whole Foods.
as for chocolate, most will contain gluten, but there are many natural chocolatiers that offer safe chocolate including Daniel and Purdy's Chocolates. Dagoba is another organic chocolate bar and cocoa line that is gluten free too. so far Andrea and I have only found one brand of gluten free chocolate chips for baking, called Enjoy Life.
if you have any other gluten free candy recommendations, please leave a comment!  Robyn.
sharkies   |   dagoba   |   enjoy life

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Tuesday, January 5, 2010

gluten free beer


gluten free alcohol can be a tricky subject. most beer and hard alcohols contain wheat, malt, barley, or rye. I had heard of gluten free beer and potato based vodka from several friends over the years, but it wasn't until recently that I found a great selection of gluten free beer at Firefly beer & wine store (12th & cambie) including Bards, La Messagere, and Greens. La Messagere is red ale made from gluten free buckwheat and rice, and is produced in a Quebec based microbrewery. gluten free beer is generally quite expensive, $20 CDN for four bottles.

gin, rum, tequila and sake on the other hand, are naturally gluten free. gin is a spirit whose predominant flavor is derived from juniper berries, rum is made from sugarcane by-products such molasses, tequila is a blue agave based spirit, and sake is made from rice. vodka is unique in that it is mostly made from distilled wheat or rye, but some companies make vodka from potatoes or sugar cane. for a great website on all things vodka including how its made, click here.

alcohol made from wheat grains (wheat, rye, barley) such as whiskey and rye are typically distilled. there is a lot of debate as to whether or not the distilling process actually removes the gluten protein. a fellow gluten free blogger posted an article 'distilling the facts about distillation' that weighs in on the subject. most research suggests that the distillation process does remove the gluten protein from the product making it gluten free and safe for celiacs to consume.

have you tried gluten free beer? if so, post your thoughts!
Happy New Year!  Robyn.

firefly   |   bard's   |   greens

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Monday, December 7, 2009

organic meats, naturally gluten free

oyama sausage, originally uploaded by sifu_renka.
I have become primarily vegetarian over the last several years of living with Celiac Disease, in part, because it is difficult to find safe, gluten free meat products. gluten is often hidden in most deli meat in the form of a flavor enhancer called hydrolyzed vegetable protein (HVP). hydrolyzed vegetable protein can be found in anything from soup stock to meat products, and could contain gluten.
andrea and I have visited several organic grocery stores in vancouver and found gluten free products at a local family run business called Oyama Sausage Co. located in the Granville Island Public Market. Oyama’s green label products are made with select meats, sea salt, herbs and spices, honey or organic sugar, and sometimes wine. no nitrates or nitrites are added and sustainable farming practices are also a core principle of the business. all but two of their meat products are gluten free. the two that are not are their blood sausages, the Boudin Noir and the Black Pudding do contain gluten. try andrea's personal favorite the Cuban Chorizo sausages!

another canadian company, McLeans Organic Meats, also has a variety of meats labeled gluten free. McLeans is currently based in Alberta, but originated in 1998 locally at Capers in Vancouver as a line of meat products called Natural Farms that were all nitrate free. McLeans is sold at Whole Foods and Capers Markets.

other excellent and trusted gluten free deli meat brands are Freybe and Grimm’s Fine Foods that can be found at Save-On Foods, Choices Markets, and IGA.  Robyn.

 oyama sausage co   |   mcleans organic meats   |   freybe   |   grimms fine foods

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Sunday, November 22, 2009

gluten free catering experience: part two

so here are the results of the party I went to the other night at Vancouver Special, catered by Tonina’s Catering & Deli Co. before I went, I called Jark, the owner of the business, to confirm what he planned to serve that would be gluten free, and how would I be able to identify it. it might sound like over-kill to be harassing this man so many times prior to the event, but I will avoid gluten contamination at all costs! I am a breastfeeding mom to my infant girl, and I cannot risk getting sick (more on being a gluten free mom in subsequent posts). he explained that he had prepared two gluten free pizzas with fresh organic toppings and assorted gluten free cheeses, and some gluten free organic deli meats, all of which would be labeled. great! I was so excited to go out to a party, mingle with friends, and eat without worry. as a new mom, I don’t get out to eat very often, and as a celiac I don’t go out to eat very often!

I arrived early-ish and found the food nicely displayed, with lot’s of space between the trays, so I felt that cross contamination would be minimal. I was most curious about the gluten free pizza's and was saddened to see that most of them were already eaten! I did get to try a few pieces that were saved for me and they were excellent! the ingredient label is shown here, and I doubt the photo does this pizza any justice. not only was the crust just the way I like it, thin and crispy, the toppings were superb. this was definitely one of the best pizzas I’ve ever eaten, except for the margarita pizzas Robyn and I gobbled on our way around Italy when we were younger (pre-celiac). I thought, this people is how it’s done! I have actually become accustomed to thick, doughy, white rice pizza crusts, and have even convinced my husband they are good! so in my opinion the pizza was a big hit, and would not hesitate to order these from Tonina’s again, maybe for my birthday!

I continued along the buffet table to try some of the other goodies, only to find the gluten free cheeses on the same tray as some kind of bun/ pastry? the cheese was being sliced, put on these buns, and being sliced again…whoops, contaminated, don’t touch! ok, let me try the meats. there were two kinds of deli meats labeled gluten free, some ham and some turkey, both of which were very tasty and fresh. they were on the same tray as non-gluten free meats but were separated by wax paper, well done Tonina’s!

the final item that was labeled gluten free were rice crispy squares, which made me excited, however on closer inspection, I could see oats, and corn flakes in the ingredients list, so I didn’t try them, sorry Tonina’s. oats and corn flakes are very tricky to navigate for celiacs. recent research claims that oats are in fact safe for people with celiac disease because it does not contain gluten, but oats are thought to be unsafe due to contamination with barley primarily during processing. it is possible to find gluten free oats (more on this subject soon), and corn flakes. for example, Nature's Path Organics makes gluten free corn flakes but other mainstream labels such as Kellogg's add barley malt to their corn flakes as a flavoring agent.

so would I recommend Tonina’s Catering & Deli Co? yes I would, but with the advice that you must work closely with Jark, or another staff member to ensure that the ingredients are 100% gluten free, and that safe food handling practices are met. plan your event well in advance, and ask questions! I found Jark to be extremely knowledgeable about food in general, and seems passionate about his business. stay tuned for part three where I visit Tonina’s and Jark in person to find out more about how they can provide a safe and enjoyable gluten free catered event.  Andrea


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Posted by at 1 comment:
Labels: , , , ,

Thursday, November 19, 2009

gluten free goes mainstream thanks to general mills

chex cereal, originally uploaded by rachellake.
despite the growing numbers of people diagnosed with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity (estimates are approximately 1 in 100 people although this ratio is growing), gluten free alternatives are still hard to find in the conventional marketplace. over the years I have wished that gluten free options were more readily available at non-specialty stores for convenience and price. gluten free products like bread, pizza and crackers are typically three times as expensive as regular products. 

gradually though, I have seen more wide spread availability of gluten free products, albeit in a limited selection, at least for now. finding gluten free in most grocery store chains can still feel as though you are looking for a needle in a haystack. it is so helpful when grocery stores such as Choices Market take the time to develop a gluten free product listing brochure to help guide you through the store (I still wish for whole gluten free sections).

one example of where conventional has gone gluten free is with one of the biggest food manufacturers, General Mills. the company recently launched a gluten free product line, which I find very interesting. the gluten free reality is catching on. gluten free products from General Mills include Betty Crocker cookie and cake mixes and the Big G Chex cereal (comes in six flavours including Rice Chex and Honey Nut Chex). Rohan Thakur, the Chex cereal marketing manager recently stated “this is a revolutionary step forward for consumers who want easy and affordable access to gluten-free food options.” and I couldn’t agree more.

barley malt flour, the gluten containing ingredient, has been substituted with molasses to make the cereal line all gluten free!

I am currently trying to find out where these products are available in vancouver, so check back soon for updates. and, if you have seen these products anywhere, please let us know! Robyn.

betty crocker   |   chex

Share
Posted by at 2 comments:
Labels: , ,

gluten free catering experience: part one

I have been invited to an industry event tomorrow night at Vancouver Special on Main Street. I am excited about the party, but nervous about what kind of food will be served. the invite states that the event will be catered by another Main Street business called Tonina’s Deli & Catering Company. I’ve never heard of them, so I went to their website to find out more about them, and what kind of food they offer.


I got excited when I saw under the baking section they state clearly that gluten free options are available. good news! they don’t explain, however what those items might be, so I decided to call ahead to find out what I could expect at the event.

the owner’s name is Jark, and I spoke with him directly, he answered the phone. when I told him I was attending the ‘party for architects’ he knew right away which event I was referring to. I explained that I was calling to find out what gluten free options they have and if he could ensure some of the catered menu was gluten free. Jark was excited to discuss the menu, telling me that the order was for an assortment of meats, cheeses, and of course bread. he was also planning to make small pizzas, and said he would love to make me gluten free pizza, and could easily make it out of spelt.

“um, spelt,” I said. “Jark, I can’t eat spelt, it is not gluten free.”

“oh, are you that sensitive,” he asks?

“yes I have Celiac Disease, I am gluten intolerant.”

“oh I see,” he said. “then why don’t you send me some recipes and I’ll see what I can make for you! I want you to enjoy the party for architects.”

“ok, but one other thing, are the meats you are serving gluten free?”

“well the organic meats are, yes, but the regular meats are not. let me confirm with my organic suppliers to make sure.”

“thanks, but how will I know which meats are the gluten free ones,” I ask?

“well, that’s no problem, I will label them for you.”

wow, what personalized service. this man is out to do his best, just for me. as far as he knows, I am the only gluten free guest attending this party. despite the slip with the spelt, I have to say I am very impressed with his willingness to accommodate me.

stay tuned for part two where I write about the party and whether or not my gluten free dreams actually come true!  Andrea.

tonina’s deli & catering co  |   vancouver special   |   grains & flour

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Showing posts with label foods to avoid. Show all posts
Showing posts with label foods to avoid. Show all posts

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

is maltodextrin gluten free?

Andrea and I come across questionable ingredients all the time, even after five years of living gluten free, we still continue to learn about what foods are safe and which ones are not. maltodextrin is one of those ingredients that we continually scratch our heads over primarily because if it is made from a wheat derivative, it may not be identified on the package. this issue is primarily due to lack of strict food allergen labeling regulations in most countries.

as Andrea and I have written many times, living gluten free requires you to be a bit of an ingredient detective, and in this case, we needed to know what maltodextrin is in the first place. maltodextrin is a common food additive in products like potato chips and yogurt. maltodextrin is classified as a polysaccharide and is produced by the hydrolosis of starch.

in order to determine if maltodextrin is gluten free, it is important to know what starch it was made from. maltodextrin produced in Canada or the US is usually made from rice, corn or potato and these are all gluten free. however, in products made from Europe, maltodextrin is frequently made from wheat.

food labeling regulations in Canada identify wheat as a priority allergen, and therefore, if maltodextrin is derived from wheat, it should be identified in the ingredient list, but it is always recommended to contact the manufacturer directly. also, don’t be fooled by the reference to ‘malt’. maltodextrin does not contain malt.

more on other questionable ingredients coming soon…Robyn.

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Monday, January 25, 2010

organicville gluten free salad dressings


if you are new to the gluten free diet or a seasoned expert,Organicville Foods is a great company to add to your trusted gluten free product list. one click to their website and I was really surprised by the selection of gluten free products they offer! here I was about to rave about their line of gluten free salad dressing, but they also make mustard, salsa, pasta sauce, and barbeque and teriyaki sauce. all of Organicville’s products are gluten free, organic, dairy free and vegan!

Organicville makes 11 gluten free salad dressings including tarragon dijon, non dairy ranch, miso ginger, and my favorite herbs de provence. Organicville mustard (coming soon) will be available in dijon, stone ground, and yellow varieties.

the possible gluten containing ingredient found in salad dressing and mustards is vinegar. vinegar can be distilled from wheat, or can be malted from barley. vinegar can also be distilled from corn, potatoes, beets, or apples to name a few. Bragg, for example, makes gluten free apple cider vinegar. vinegar is more commonly distilled from corn or potato, but it is important to know that some could be made from wheat or barley. to add to the difficulty, some salad dressings like ranch and caesar contain worcestershire sauce that contains malted (barley) vinegar and some also contain soy sauce (soy sauce contains wheat). red and white wine, and even balsamic vinegars, however, are gluten free.

when reading ingredient lists for mustards, don’t let the ingredient ‘mustard flour’ confuse you, it is perfectly safe and gluten free and simply made from ground mustard seed.

there is a lot of debate surrounding the distilling process as well, and whether or not it truly eliminates gluten. Andrea and I wrote a post on gluten free alcohol recently that discusses this issue in more detail.

barbeque and teriyaki sauces typically contain wheat flour or soy sauce and are normally not a part of a gluten free diet, until now…thanks Organicville!  Robyn

organicville foods   |   bragg

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Thursday, January 21, 2010

sweet gluten free

gluten is known to be found in breads, pasta, and cereals, but it is also commonly found in other things like candy and chocolate. gluten containing ingredients to watch out for in confectionary products are wheat flour, wafer, malt, and/or modified food starch.
Andrea and I came across Sharkies a few years ago and have been pretty hooked on them. we were sugar nuts as kids so we were happy to find some sugar treats that were safe to eat. Sharkies are organic fruit chews that are not only gluten free, they are nut free and vegan. Sharkies come in four tasty flavors; citrus squeeze, fruit splash, berry blast, and watermelon scream all in little shark shapes. most natural health food stores will carry Sharkies, including Whole Foods, Capers, and Choices Markets. you can also order bulk (packs of twelve) from the Sharkies website. other candy that I have found to be safe are the natural wine gums in the bulk sections at Save-On Foods and Whole Foods.
as for chocolate, most will contain gluten, but there are many natural chocolatiers that offer safe chocolate including Daniel and Purdy's Chocolates. Dagoba is another organic chocolate bar and cocoa line that is gluten free too. so far Andrea and I have only found one brand of gluten free chocolate chips for baking, called Enjoy Life.
if you have any other gluten free candy recommendations, please leave a comment!  Robyn.
sharkies   |   dagoba   |   enjoy life

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Tuesday, January 5, 2010

gluten free beer


gluten free alcohol can be a tricky subject. most beer and hard alcohols contain wheat, malt, barley, or rye. I had heard of gluten free beer and potato based vodka from several friends over the years, but it wasn't until recently that I found a great selection of gluten free beer at Firefly beer & wine store (12th & cambie) including Bards, La Messagere, and Greens. La Messagere is red ale made from gluten free buckwheat and rice, and is produced in a Quebec based microbrewery. gluten free beer is generally quite expensive, $20 CDN for four bottles.

gin, rum, tequila and sake on the other hand, are naturally gluten free. gin is a spirit whose predominant flavor is derived from juniper berries, rum is made from sugarcane by-products such molasses, tequila is a blue agave based spirit, and sake is made from rice. vodka is unique in that it is mostly made from distilled wheat or rye, but some companies make vodka from potatoes or sugar cane. for a great website on all things vodka including how its made, click here.

alcohol made from wheat grains (wheat, rye, barley) such as whiskey and rye are typically distilled. there is a lot of debate as to whether or not the distilling process actually removes the gluten protein. a fellow gluten free blogger posted an article 'distilling the facts about distillation' that weighs in on the subject. most research suggests that the distillation process does remove the gluten protein from the product making it gluten free and safe for celiacs to consume.

have you tried gluten free beer? if so, post your thoughts!
Happy New Year!  Robyn.

firefly   |   bard's   |   greens

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Monday, December 7, 2009

organic meats, naturally gluten free

oyama sausage, originally uploaded by sifu_renka.
I have become primarily vegetarian over the last several years of living with Celiac Disease, in part, because it is difficult to find safe, gluten free meat products. gluten is often hidden in most deli meat in the form of a flavor enhancer called hydrolyzed vegetable protein (HVP). hydrolyzed vegetable protein can be found in anything from soup stock to meat products, and could contain gluten.
andrea and I have visited several organic grocery stores in vancouver and found gluten free products at a local family run business called Oyama Sausage Co. located in the Granville Island Public Market. Oyama’s green label products are made with select meats, sea salt, herbs and spices, honey or organic sugar, and sometimes wine. no nitrates or nitrites are added and sustainable farming practices are also a core principle of the business. all but two of their meat products are gluten free. the two that are not are their blood sausages, the Boudin Noir and the Black Pudding do contain gluten. try andrea's personal favorite the Cuban Chorizo sausages!

another canadian company, McLeans Organic Meats, also has a variety of meats labeled gluten free. McLeans is currently based in Alberta, but originated in 1998 locally at Capers in Vancouver as a line of meat products called Natural Farms that were all nitrate free. McLeans is sold at Whole Foods and Capers Markets.

other excellent and trusted gluten free deli meat brands are Freybe and Grimm’s Fine Foods that can be found at Save-On Foods, Choices Markets, and IGA.  Robyn.

 oyama sausage co   |   mcleans organic meats   |   freybe   |   grimms fine foods

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Sunday, November 22, 2009

gluten free catering experience: part two

so here are the results of the party I went to the other night at Vancouver Special, catered by Tonina’s Catering & Deli Co. before I went, I called Jark, the owner of the business, to confirm what he planned to serve that would be gluten free, and how would I be able to identify it. it might sound like over-kill to be harassing this man so many times prior to the event, but I will avoid gluten contamination at all costs! I am a breastfeeding mom to my infant girl, and I cannot risk getting sick (more on being a gluten free mom in subsequent posts). he explained that he had prepared two gluten free pizzas with fresh organic toppings and assorted gluten free cheeses, and some gluten free organic deli meats, all of which would be labeled. great! I was so excited to go out to a party, mingle with friends, and eat without worry. as a new mom, I don’t get out to eat very often, and as a celiac I don’t go out to eat very often!

I arrived early-ish and found the food nicely displayed, with lot’s of space between the trays, so I felt that cross contamination would be minimal. I was most curious about the gluten free pizza's and was saddened to see that most of them were already eaten! I did get to try a few pieces that were saved for me and they were excellent! the ingredient label is shown here, and I doubt the photo does this pizza any justice. not only was the crust just the way I like it, thin and crispy, the toppings were superb. this was definitely one of the best pizzas I’ve ever eaten, except for the margarita pizzas Robyn and I gobbled on our way around Italy when we were younger (pre-celiac). I thought, this people is how it’s done! I have actually become accustomed to thick, doughy, white rice pizza crusts, and have even convinced my husband they are good! so in my opinion the pizza was a big hit, and would not hesitate to order these from Tonina’s again, maybe for my birthday!

I continued along the buffet table to try some of the other goodies, only to find the gluten free cheeses on the same tray as some kind of bun/ pastry? the cheese was being sliced, put on these buns, and being sliced again…whoops, contaminated, don’t touch! ok, let me try the meats. there were two kinds of deli meats labeled gluten free, some ham and some turkey, both of which were very tasty and fresh. they were on the same tray as non-gluten free meats but were separated by wax paper, well done Tonina’s!

the final item that was labeled gluten free were rice crispy squares, which made me excited, however on closer inspection, I could see oats, and corn flakes in the ingredients list, so I didn’t try them, sorry Tonina’s. oats and corn flakes are very tricky to navigate for celiacs. recent research claims that oats are in fact safe for people with celiac disease because it does not contain gluten, but oats are thought to be unsafe due to contamination with barley primarily during processing. it is possible to find gluten free oats (more on this subject soon), and corn flakes. for example, Nature's Path Organics makes gluten free corn flakes but other mainstream labels such as Kellogg's add barley malt to their corn flakes as a flavoring agent.

so would I recommend Tonina’s Catering & Deli Co? yes I would, but with the advice that you must work closely with Jark, or another staff member to ensure that the ingredients are 100% gluten free, and that safe food handling practices are met. plan your event well in advance, and ask questions! I found Jark to be extremely knowledgeable about food in general, and seems passionate about his business. stay tuned for part three where I visit Tonina’s and Jark in person to find out more about how they can provide a safe and enjoyable gluten free catered event.  Andrea


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Thursday, November 19, 2009

gluten free goes mainstream thanks to general mills

chex cereal, originally uploaded by rachellake.
despite the growing numbers of people diagnosed with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity (estimates are approximately 1 in 100 people although this ratio is growing), gluten free alternatives are still hard to find in the conventional marketplace. over the years I have wished that gluten free options were more readily available at non-specialty stores for convenience and price. gluten free products like bread, pizza and crackers are typically three times as expensive as regular products. 

gradually though, I have seen more wide spread availability of gluten free products, albeit in a limited selection, at least for now. finding gluten free in most grocery store chains can still feel as though you are looking for a needle in a haystack. it is so helpful when grocery stores such as Choices Market take the time to develop a gluten free product listing brochure to help guide you through the store (I still wish for whole gluten free sections).

one example of where conventional has gone gluten free is with one of the biggest food manufacturers, General Mills. the company recently launched a gluten free product line, which I find very interesting. the gluten free reality is catching on. gluten free products from General Mills include Betty Crocker cookie and cake mixes and the Big G Chex cereal (comes in six flavours including Rice Chex and Honey Nut Chex). Rohan Thakur, the Chex cereal marketing manager recently stated “this is a revolutionary step forward for consumers who want easy and affordable access to gluten-free food options.” and I couldn’t agree more.

barley malt flour, the gluten containing ingredient, has been substituted with molasses to make the cereal line all gluten free!

I am currently trying to find out where these products are available in vancouver, so check back soon for updates. and, if you have seen these products anywhere, please let us know! Robyn.

betty crocker   |   chex

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gluten free catering experience: part one

I have been invited to an industry event tomorrow night at Vancouver Special on Main Street. I am excited about the party, but nervous about what kind of food will be served. the invite states that the event will be catered by another Main Street business called Tonina’s Deli & Catering Company. I’ve never heard of them, so I went to their website to find out more about them, and what kind of food they offer.


I got excited when I saw under the baking section they state clearly that gluten free options are available. good news! they don’t explain, however what those items might be, so I decided to call ahead to find out what I could expect at the event.

the owner’s name is Jark, and I spoke with him directly, he answered the phone. when I told him I was attending the ‘party for architects’ he knew right away which event I was referring to. I explained that I was calling to find out what gluten free options they have and if he could ensure some of the catered menu was gluten free. Jark was excited to discuss the menu, telling me that the order was for an assortment of meats, cheeses, and of course bread. he was also planning to make small pizzas, and said he would love to make me gluten free pizza, and could easily make it out of spelt.

“um, spelt,” I said. “Jark, I can’t eat spelt, it is not gluten free.”

“oh, are you that sensitive,” he asks?

“yes I have Celiac Disease, I am gluten intolerant.”

“oh I see,” he said. “then why don’t you send me some recipes and I’ll see what I can make for you! I want you to enjoy the party for architects.”

“ok, but one other thing, are the meats you are serving gluten free?”

“well the organic meats are, yes, but the regular meats are not. let me confirm with my organic suppliers to make sure.”

“thanks, but how will I know which meats are the gluten free ones,” I ask?

“well, that’s no problem, I will label them for you.”

wow, what personalized service. this man is out to do his best, just for me. as far as he knows, I am the only gluten free guest attending this party. despite the slip with the spelt, I have to say I am very impressed with his willingness to accommodate me.

stay tuned for part two where I write about the party and whether or not my gluten free dreams actually come true!  Andrea.

tonina’s deli & catering co  |   vancouver special   |   grains & flour

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Showing posts with label foods to avoid. Show all posts
Showing posts with label foods to avoid. Show all posts

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

is maltodextrin gluten free?

Andrea and I come across questionable ingredients all the time, even after five years of living gluten free, we still continue to learn about what foods are safe and which ones are not. maltodextrin is one of those ingredients that we continually scratch our heads over primarily because if it is made from a wheat derivative, it may not be identified on the package. this issue is primarily due to lack of strict food allergen labeling regulations in most countries.

as Andrea and I have written many times, living gluten free requires you to be a bit of an ingredient detective, and in this case, we needed to know what maltodextrin is in the first place. maltodextrin is a common food additive in products like potato chips and yogurt. maltodextrin is classified as a polysaccharide and is produced by the hydrolosis of starch.

in order to determine if maltodextrin is gluten free, it is important to know what starch it was made from. maltodextrin produced in Canada or the US is usually made from rice, corn or potato and these are all gluten free. however, in products made from Europe, maltodextrin is frequently made from wheat.

food labeling regulations in Canada identify wheat as a priority allergen, and therefore, if maltodextrin is derived from wheat, it should be identified in the ingredient list, but it is always recommended to contact the manufacturer directly. also, don’t be fooled by the reference to ‘malt’. maltodextrin does not contain malt.

more on other questionable ingredients coming soon…Robyn.

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Monday, January 25, 2010

organicville gluten free salad dressings


if you are new to the gluten free diet or a seasoned expert,Organicville Foods is a great company to add to your trusted gluten free product list. one click to their website and I was really surprised by the selection of gluten free products they offer! here I was about to rave about their line of gluten free salad dressing, but they also make mustard, salsa, pasta sauce, and barbeque and teriyaki sauce. all of Organicville’s products are gluten free, organic, dairy free and vegan!

Organicville makes 11 gluten free salad dressings including tarragon dijon, non dairy ranch, miso ginger, and my favorite herbs de provence. Organicville mustard (coming soon) will be available in dijon, stone ground, and yellow varieties.

the possible gluten containing ingredient found in salad dressing and mustards is vinegar. vinegar can be distilled from wheat, or can be malted from barley. vinegar can also be distilled from corn, potatoes, beets, or apples to name a few. Bragg, for example, makes gluten free apple cider vinegar. vinegar is more commonly distilled from corn or potato, but it is important to know that some could be made from wheat or barley. to add to the difficulty, some salad dressings like ranch and caesar contain worcestershire sauce that contains malted (barley) vinegar and some also contain soy sauce (soy sauce contains wheat). red and white wine, and even balsamic vinegars, however, are gluten free.

when reading ingredient lists for mustards, don’t let the ingredient ‘mustard flour’ confuse you, it is perfectly safe and gluten free and simply made from ground mustard seed.

there is a lot of debate surrounding the distilling process as well, and whether or not it truly eliminates gluten. Andrea and I wrote a post on gluten free alcohol recently that discusses this issue in more detail.

barbeque and teriyaki sauces typically contain wheat flour or soy sauce and are normally not a part of a gluten free diet, until now…thanks Organicville!  Robyn

organicville foods   |   bragg

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Thursday, January 21, 2010

sweet gluten free

gluten is known to be found in breads, pasta, and cereals, but it is also commonly found in other things like candy and chocolate. gluten containing ingredients to watch out for in confectionary products are wheat flour, wafer, malt, and/or modified food starch.
Andrea and I came across Sharkies a few years ago and have been pretty hooked on them. we were sugar nuts as kids so we were happy to find some sugar treats that were safe to eat. Sharkies are organic fruit chews that are not only gluten free, they are nut free and vegan. Sharkies come in four tasty flavors; citrus squeeze, fruit splash, berry blast, and watermelon scream all in little shark shapes. most natural health food stores will carry Sharkies, including Whole Foods, Capers, and Choices Markets. you can also order bulk (packs of twelve) from the Sharkies website. other candy that I have found to be safe are the natural wine gums in the bulk sections at Save-On Foods and Whole Foods.
as for chocolate, most will contain gluten, but there are many natural chocolatiers that offer safe chocolate including Daniel and Purdy's Chocolates. Dagoba is another organic chocolate bar and cocoa line that is gluten free too. so far Andrea and I have only found one brand of gluten free chocolate chips for baking, called Enjoy Life.
if you have any other gluten free candy recommendations, please leave a comment!  Robyn.
sharkies   |   dagoba   |   enjoy life

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Tuesday, January 5, 2010

gluten free beer


gluten free alcohol can be a tricky subject. most beer and hard alcohols contain wheat, malt, barley, or rye. I had heard of gluten free beer and potato based vodka from several friends over the years, but it wasn't until recently that I found a great selection of gluten free beer at Firefly beer & wine store (12th & cambie) including Bards, La Messagere, and Greens. La Messagere is red ale made from gluten free buckwheat and rice, and is produced in a Quebec based microbrewery. gluten free beer is generally quite expensive, $20 CDN for four bottles.

gin, rum, tequila and sake on the other hand, are naturally gluten free. gin is a spirit whose predominant flavor is derived from juniper berries, rum is made from sugarcane by-products such molasses, tequila is a blue agave based spirit, and sake is made from rice. vodka is unique in that it is mostly made from distilled wheat or rye, but some companies make vodka from potatoes or sugar cane. for a great website on all things vodka including how its made, click here.

alcohol made from wheat grains (wheat, rye, barley) such as whiskey and rye are typically distilled. there is a lot of debate as to whether or not the distilling process actually removes the gluten protein. a fellow gluten free blogger posted an article 'distilling the facts about distillation' that weighs in on the subject. most research suggests that the distillation process does remove the gluten protein from the product making it gluten free and safe for celiacs to consume.

have you tried gluten free beer? if so, post your thoughts!
Happy New Year!  Robyn.

firefly   |   bard's   |   greens

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Monday, December 7, 2009

organic meats, naturally gluten free

oyama sausage, originally uploaded by sifu_renka.
I have become primarily vegetarian over the last several years of living with Celiac Disease, in part, because it is difficult to find safe, gluten free meat products. gluten is often hidden in most deli meat in the form of a flavor enhancer called hydrolyzed vegetable protein (HVP). hydrolyzed vegetable protein can be found in anything from soup stock to meat products, and could contain gluten.
andrea and I have visited several organic grocery stores in vancouver and found gluten free products at a local family run business called Oyama Sausage Co. located in the Granville Island Public Market. Oyama’s green label products are made with select meats, sea salt, herbs and spices, honey or organic sugar, and sometimes wine. no nitrates or nitrites are added and sustainable farming practices are also a core principle of the business. all but two of their meat products are gluten free. the two that are not are their blood sausages, the Boudin Noir and the Black Pudding do contain gluten. try andrea's personal favorite the Cuban Chorizo sausages!

another canadian company, McLeans Organic Meats, also has a variety of meats labeled gluten free. McLeans is currently based in Alberta, but originated in 1998 locally at Capers in Vancouver as a line of meat products called Natural Farms that were all nitrate free. McLeans is sold at Whole Foods and Capers Markets.

other excellent and trusted gluten free deli meat brands are Freybe and Grimm’s Fine Foods that can be found at Save-On Foods, Choices Markets, and IGA.  Robyn.

 oyama sausage co   |   mcleans organic meats   |   freybe   |   grimms fine foods

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Sunday, November 22, 2009

gluten free catering experience: part two

so here are the results of the party I went to the other night at Vancouver Special, catered by Tonina’s Catering & Deli Co. before I went, I called Jark, the owner of the business, to confirm what he planned to serve that would be gluten free, and how would I be able to identify it. it might sound like over-kill to be harassing this man so many times prior to the event, but I will avoid gluten contamination at all costs! I am a breastfeeding mom to my infant girl, and I cannot risk getting sick (more on being a gluten free mom in subsequent posts). he explained that he had prepared two gluten free pizzas with fresh organic toppings and assorted gluten free cheeses, and some gluten free organic deli meats, all of which would be labeled. great! I was so excited to go out to a party, mingle with friends, and eat without worry. as a new mom, I don’t get out to eat very often, and as a celiac I don’t go out to eat very often!

I arrived early-ish and found the food nicely displayed, with lot’s of space between the trays, so I felt that cross contamination would be minimal. I was most curious about the gluten free pizza's and was saddened to see that most of them were already eaten! I did get to try a few pieces that were saved for me and they were excellent! the ingredient label is shown here, and I doubt the photo does this pizza any justice. not only was the crust just the way I like it, thin and crispy, the toppings were superb. this was definitely one of the best pizzas I’ve ever eaten, except for the margarita pizzas Robyn and I gobbled on our way around Italy when we were younger (pre-celiac). I thought, this people is how it’s done! I have actually become accustomed to thick, doughy, white rice pizza crusts, and have even convinced my husband they are good! so in my opinion the pizza was a big hit, and would not hesitate to order these from Tonina’s again, maybe for my birthday!

I continued along the buffet table to try some of the other goodies, only to find the gluten free cheeses on the same tray as some kind of bun/ pastry? the cheese was being sliced, put on these buns, and being sliced again…whoops, contaminated, don’t touch! ok, let me try the meats. there were two kinds of deli meats labeled gluten free, some ham and some turkey, both of which were very tasty and fresh. they were on the same tray as non-gluten free meats but were separated by wax paper, well done Tonina’s!

the final item that was labeled gluten free were rice crispy squares, which made me excited, however on closer inspection, I could see oats, and corn flakes in the ingredients list, so I didn’t try them, sorry Tonina’s. oats and corn flakes are very tricky to navigate for celiacs. recent research claims that oats are in fact safe for people with celiac disease because it does not contain gluten, but oats are thought to be unsafe due to contamination with barley primarily during processing. it is possible to find gluten free oats (more on this subject soon), and corn flakes. for example, Nature's Path Organics makes gluten free corn flakes but other mainstream labels such as Kellogg's add barley malt to their corn flakes as a flavoring agent.

so would I recommend Tonina’s Catering & Deli Co? yes I would, but with the advice that you must work closely with Jark, or another staff member to ensure that the ingredients are 100% gluten free, and that safe food handling practices are met. plan your event well in advance, and ask questions! I found Jark to be extremely knowledgeable about food in general, and seems passionate about his business. stay tuned for part three where I visit Tonina’s and Jark in person to find out more about how they can provide a safe and enjoyable gluten free catered event.  Andrea


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Labels: , , , ,

Thursday, November 19, 2009

gluten free goes mainstream thanks to general mills

chex cereal, originally uploaded by rachellake.
despite the growing numbers of people diagnosed with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity (estimates are approximately 1 in 100 people although this ratio is growing), gluten free alternatives are still hard to find in the conventional marketplace. over the years I have wished that gluten free options were more readily available at non-specialty stores for convenience and price. gluten free products like bread, pizza and crackers are typically three times as expensive as regular products. 

gradually though, I have seen more wide spread availability of gluten free products, albeit in a limited selection, at least for now. finding gluten free in most grocery store chains can still feel as though you are looking for a needle in a haystack. it is so helpful when grocery stores such as Choices Market take the time to develop a gluten free product listing brochure to help guide you through the store (I still wish for whole gluten free sections).

one example of where conventional has gone gluten free is with one of the biggest food manufacturers, General Mills. the company recently launched a gluten free product line, which I find very interesting. the gluten free reality is catching on. gluten free products from General Mills include Betty Crocker cookie and cake mixes and the Big G Chex cereal (comes in six flavours including Rice Chex and Honey Nut Chex). Rohan Thakur, the Chex cereal marketing manager recently stated “this is a revolutionary step forward for consumers who want easy and affordable access to gluten-free food options.” and I couldn’t agree more.

barley malt flour, the gluten containing ingredient, has been substituted with molasses to make the cereal line all gluten free!

I am currently trying to find out where these products are available in vancouver, so check back soon for updates. and, if you have seen these products anywhere, please let us know! Robyn.

betty crocker   |   chex

Share
Posted by at 2 comments:
Labels: , ,

gluten free catering experience: part one

I have been invited to an industry event tomorrow night at Vancouver Special on Main Street. I am excited about the party, but nervous about what kind of food will be served. the invite states that the event will be catered by another Main Street business called Tonina’s Deli & Catering Company. I’ve never heard of them, so I went to their website to find out more about them, and what kind of food they offer.


I got excited when I saw under the baking section they state clearly that gluten free options are available. good news! they don’t explain, however what those items might be, so I decided to call ahead to find out what I could expect at the event.

the owner’s name is Jark, and I spoke with him directly, he answered the phone. when I told him I was attending the ‘party for architects’ he knew right away which event I was referring to. I explained that I was calling to find out what gluten free options they have and if he could ensure some of the catered menu was gluten free. Jark was excited to discuss the menu, telling me that the order was for an assortment of meats, cheeses, and of course bread. he was also planning to make small pizzas, and said he would love to make me gluten free pizza, and could easily make it out of spelt.

“um, spelt,” I said. “Jark, I can’t eat spelt, it is not gluten free.”

“oh, are you that sensitive,” he asks?

“yes I have Celiac Disease, I am gluten intolerant.”

“oh I see,” he said. “then why don’t you send me some recipes and I’ll see what I can make for you! I want you to enjoy the party for architects.”

“ok, but one other thing, are the meats you are serving gluten free?”

“well the organic meats are, yes, but the regular meats are not. let me confirm with my organic suppliers to make sure.”

“thanks, but how will I know which meats are the gluten free ones,” I ask?

“well, that’s no problem, I will label them for you.”

wow, what personalized service. this man is out to do his best, just for me. as far as he knows, I am the only gluten free guest attending this party. despite the slip with the spelt, I have to say I am very impressed with his willingness to accommodate me.

stay tuned for part two where I write about the party and whether or not my gluten free dreams actually come true!  Andrea.

tonina’s deli & catering co  |   vancouver special   |   grains & flour

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Showing posts with label foods to avoid. Show all posts
Showing posts with label foods to avoid. Show all posts

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

is maltodextrin gluten free?

Andrea and I come across questionable ingredients all the time, even after five years of living gluten free, we still continue to learn about what foods are safe and which ones are not. maltodextrin is one of those ingredients that we continually scratch our heads over primarily because if it is made from a wheat derivative, it may not be identified on the package. this issue is primarily due to lack of strict food allergen labeling regulations in most countries.

as Andrea and I have written many times, living gluten free requires you to be a bit of an ingredient detective, and in this case, we needed to know what maltodextrin is in the first place. maltodextrin is a common food additive in products like potato chips and yogurt. maltodextrin is classified as a polysaccharide and is produced by the hydrolosis of starch.

in order to determine if maltodextrin is gluten free, it is important to know what starch it was made from. maltodextrin produced in Canada or the US is usually made from rice, corn or potato and these are all gluten free. however, in products made from Europe, maltodextrin is frequently made from wheat.

food labeling regulations in Canada identify wheat as a priority allergen, and therefore, if maltodextrin is derived from wheat, it should be identified in the ingredient list, but it is always recommended to contact the manufacturer directly. also, don’t be fooled by the reference to ‘malt’. maltodextrin does not contain malt.

more on other questionable ingredients coming soon…Robyn.

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Monday, January 25, 2010

organicville gluten free salad dressings


if you are new to the gluten free diet or a seasoned expert,Organicville Foods is a great company to add to your trusted gluten free product list. one click to their website and I was really surprised by the selection of gluten free products they offer! here I was about to rave about their line of gluten free salad dressing, but they also make mustard, salsa, pasta sauce, and barbeque and teriyaki sauce. all of Organicville’s products are gluten free, organic, dairy free and vegan!

Organicville makes 11 gluten free salad dressings including tarragon dijon, non dairy ranch, miso ginger, and my favorite herbs de provence. Organicville mustard (coming soon) will be available in dijon, stone ground, and yellow varieties.

the possible gluten containing ingredient found in salad dressing and mustards is vinegar. vinegar can be distilled from wheat, or can be malted from barley. vinegar can also be distilled from corn, potatoes, beets, or apples to name a few. Bragg, for example, makes gluten free apple cider vinegar. vinegar is more commonly distilled from corn or potato, but it is important to know that some could be made from wheat or barley. to add to the difficulty, some salad dressings like ranch and caesar contain worcestershire sauce that contains malted (barley) vinegar and some also contain soy sauce (soy sauce contains wheat). red and white wine, and even balsamic vinegars, however, are gluten free.

when reading ingredient lists for mustards, don’t let the ingredient ‘mustard flour’ confuse you, it is perfectly safe and gluten free and simply made from ground mustard seed.

there is a lot of debate surrounding the distilling process as well, and whether or not it truly eliminates gluten. Andrea and I wrote a post on gluten free alcohol recently that discusses this issue in more detail.

barbeque and teriyaki sauces typically contain wheat flour or soy sauce and are normally not a part of a gluten free diet, until now…thanks Organicville!  Robyn

organicville foods   |   bragg

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Thursday, January 21, 2010

sweet gluten free

gluten is known to be found in breads, pasta, and cereals, but it is also commonly found in other things like candy and chocolate. gluten containing ingredients to watch out for in confectionary products are wheat flour, wafer, malt, and/or modified food starch.
Andrea and I came across Sharkies a few years ago and have been pretty hooked on them. we were sugar nuts as kids so we were happy to find some sugar treats that were safe to eat. Sharkies are organic fruit chews that are not only gluten free, they are nut free and vegan. Sharkies come in four tasty flavors; citrus squeeze, fruit splash, berry blast, and watermelon scream all in little shark shapes. most natural health food stores will carry Sharkies, including Whole Foods, Capers, and Choices Markets. you can also order bulk (packs of twelve) from the Sharkies website. other candy that I have found to be safe are the natural wine gums in the bulk sections at Save-On Foods and Whole Foods.
as for chocolate, most will contain gluten, but there are many natural chocolatiers that offer safe chocolate including Daniel and Purdy's Chocolates. Dagoba is another organic chocolate bar and cocoa line that is gluten free too. so far Andrea and I have only found one brand of gluten free chocolate chips for baking, called Enjoy Life.
if you have any other gluten free candy recommendations, please leave a comment!  Robyn.
sharkies   |   dagoba   |   enjoy life

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Tuesday, January 5, 2010

gluten free beer


gluten free alcohol can be a tricky subject. most beer and hard alcohols contain wheat, malt, barley, or rye. I had heard of gluten free beer and potato based vodka from several friends over the years, but it wasn't until recently that I found a great selection of gluten free beer at Firefly beer & wine store (12th & cambie) including Bards, La Messagere, and Greens. La Messagere is red ale made from gluten free buckwheat and rice, and is produced in a Quebec based microbrewery. gluten free beer is generally quite expensive, $20 CDN for four bottles.

gin, rum, tequila and sake on the other hand, are naturally gluten free. gin is a spirit whose predominant flavor is derived from juniper berries, rum is made from sugarcane by-products such molasses, tequila is a blue agave based spirit, and sake is made from rice. vodka is unique in that it is mostly made from distilled wheat or rye, but some companies make vodka from potatoes or sugar cane. for a great website on all things vodka including how its made, click here.

alcohol made from wheat grains (wheat, rye, barley) such as whiskey and rye are typically distilled. there is a lot of debate as to whether or not the distilling process actually removes the gluten protein. a fellow gluten free blogger posted an article 'distilling the facts about distillation' that weighs in on the subject. most research suggests that the distillation process does remove the gluten protein from the product making it gluten free and safe for celiacs to consume.

have you tried gluten free beer? if so, post your thoughts!
Happy New Year!  Robyn.

firefly   |   bard's   |   greens

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Monday, December 7, 2009

organic meats, naturally gluten free

oyama sausage, originally uploaded by sifu_renka.
I have become primarily vegetarian over the last several years of living with Celiac Disease, in part, because it is difficult to find safe, gluten free meat products. gluten is often hidden in most deli meat in the form of a flavor enhancer called hydrolyzed vegetable protein (HVP). hydrolyzed vegetable protein can be found in anything from soup stock to meat products, and could contain gluten.
andrea and I have visited several organic grocery stores in vancouver and found gluten free products at a local family run business called Oyama Sausage Co. located in the Granville Island Public Market. Oyama’s green label products are made with select meats, sea salt, herbs and spices, honey or organic sugar, and sometimes wine. no nitrates or nitrites are added and sustainable farming practices are also a core principle of the business. all but two of their meat products are gluten free. the two that are not are their blood sausages, the Boudin Noir and the Black Pudding do contain gluten. try andrea's personal favorite the Cuban Chorizo sausages!

another canadian company, McLeans Organic Meats, also has a variety of meats labeled gluten free. McLeans is currently based in Alberta, but originated in 1998 locally at Capers in Vancouver as a line of meat products called Natural Farms that were all nitrate free. McLeans is sold at Whole Foods and Capers Markets.

other excellent and trusted gluten free deli meat brands are Freybe and Grimm’s Fine Foods that can be found at Save-On Foods, Choices Markets, and IGA.  Robyn.

 oyama sausage co   |   mcleans organic meats   |   freybe   |   grimms fine foods

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Sunday, November 22, 2009

gluten free catering experience: part two

so here are the results of the party I went to the other night at Vancouver Special, catered by Tonina’s Catering & Deli Co. before I went, I called Jark, the owner of the business, to confirm what he planned to serve that would be gluten free, and how would I be able to identify it. it might sound like over-kill to be harassing this man so many times prior to the event, but I will avoid gluten contamination at all costs! I am a breastfeeding mom to my infant girl, and I cannot risk getting sick (more on being a gluten free mom in subsequent posts). he explained that he had prepared two gluten free pizzas with fresh organic toppings and assorted gluten free cheeses, and some gluten free organic deli meats, all of which would be labeled. great! I was so excited to go out to a party, mingle with friends, and eat without worry. as a new mom, I don’t get out to eat very often, and as a celiac I don’t go out to eat very often!

I arrived early-ish and found the food nicely displayed, with lot’s of space between the trays, so I felt that cross contamination would be minimal. I was most curious about the gluten free pizza's and was saddened to see that most of them were already eaten! I did get to try a few pieces that were saved for me and they were excellent! the ingredient label is shown here, and I doubt the photo does this pizza any justice. not only was the crust just the way I like it, thin and crispy, the toppings were superb. this was definitely one of the best pizzas I’ve ever eaten, except for the margarita pizzas Robyn and I gobbled on our way around Italy when we were younger (pre-celiac). I thought, this people is how it’s done! I have actually become accustomed to thick, doughy, white rice pizza crusts, and have even convinced my husband they are good! so in my opinion the pizza was a big hit, and would not hesitate to order these from Tonina’s again, maybe for my birthday!

I continued along the buffet table to try some of the other goodies, only to find the gluten free cheeses on the same tray as some kind of bun/ pastry? the cheese was being sliced, put on these buns, and being sliced again…whoops, contaminated, don’t touch! ok, let me try the meats. there were two kinds of deli meats labeled gluten free, some ham and some turkey, both of which were very tasty and fresh. they were on the same tray as non-gluten free meats but were separated by wax paper, well done Tonina’s!

the final item that was labeled gluten free were rice crispy squares, which made me excited, however on closer inspection, I could see oats, and corn flakes in the ingredients list, so I didn’t try them, sorry Tonina’s. oats and corn flakes are very tricky to navigate for celiacs. recent research claims that oats are in fact safe for people with celiac disease because it does not contain gluten, but oats are thought to be unsafe due to contamination with barley primarily during processing. it is possible to find gluten free oats (more on this subject soon), and corn flakes. for example, Nature's Path Organics makes gluten free corn flakes but other mainstream labels such as Kellogg's add barley malt to their corn flakes as a flavoring agent.

so would I recommend Tonina’s Catering & Deli Co? yes I would, but with the advice that you must work closely with Jark, or another staff member to ensure that the ingredients are 100% gluten free, and that safe food handling practices are met. plan your event well in advance, and ask questions! I found Jark to be extremely knowledgeable about food in general, and seems passionate about his business. stay tuned for part three where I visit Tonina’s and Jark in person to find out more about how they can provide a safe and enjoyable gluten free catered event.  Andrea


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Thursday, November 19, 2009

gluten free goes mainstream thanks to general mills

chex cereal, originally uploaded by rachellake.
despite the growing numbers of people diagnosed with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity (estimates are approximately 1 in 100 people although this ratio is growing), gluten free alternatives are still hard to find in the conventional marketplace. over the years I have wished that gluten free options were more readily available at non-specialty stores for convenience and price. gluten free products like bread, pizza and crackers are typically three times as expensive as regular products. 

gradually though, I have seen more wide spread availability of gluten free products, albeit in a limited selection, at least for now. finding gluten free in most grocery store chains can still feel as though you are looking for a needle in a haystack. it is so helpful when grocery stores such as Choices Market take the time to develop a gluten free product listing brochure to help guide you through the store (I still wish for whole gluten free sections).

one example of where conventional has gone gluten free is with one of the biggest food manufacturers, General Mills. the company recently launched a gluten free product line, which I find very interesting. the gluten free reality is catching on. gluten free products from General Mills include Betty Crocker cookie and cake mixes and the Big G Chex cereal (comes in six flavours including Rice Chex and Honey Nut Chex). Rohan Thakur, the Chex cereal marketing manager recently stated “this is a revolutionary step forward for consumers who want easy and affordable access to gluten-free food options.” and I couldn’t agree more.

barley malt flour, the gluten containing ingredient, has been substituted with molasses to make the cereal line all gluten free!

I am currently trying to find out where these products are available in vancouver, so check back soon for updates. and, if you have seen these products anywhere, please let us know! Robyn.

betty crocker   |   chex

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gluten free catering experience: part one

I have been invited to an industry event tomorrow night at Vancouver Special on Main Street. I am excited about the party, but nervous about what kind of food will be served. the invite states that the event will be catered by another Main Street business called Tonina’s Deli & Catering Company. I’ve never heard of them, so I went to their website to find out more about them, and what kind of food they offer.


I got excited when I saw under the baking section they state clearly that gluten free options are available. good news! they don’t explain, however what those items might be, so I decided to call ahead to find out what I could expect at the event.

the owner’s name is Jark, and I spoke with him directly, he answered the phone. when I told him I was attending the ‘party for architects’ he knew right away which event I was referring to. I explained that I was calling to find out what gluten free options they have and if he could ensure some of the catered menu was gluten free. Jark was excited to discuss the menu, telling me that the order was for an assortment of meats, cheeses, and of course bread. he was also planning to make small pizzas, and said he would love to make me gluten free pizza, and could easily make it out of spelt.

“um, spelt,” I said. “Jark, I can’t eat spelt, it is not gluten free.”

“oh, are you that sensitive,” he asks?

“yes I have Celiac Disease, I am gluten intolerant.”

“oh I see,” he said. “then why don’t you send me some recipes and I’ll see what I can make for you! I want you to enjoy the party for architects.”

“ok, but one other thing, are the meats you are serving gluten free?”

“well the organic meats are, yes, but the regular meats are not. let me confirm with my organic suppliers to make sure.”

“thanks, but how will I know which meats are the gluten free ones,” I ask?

“well, that’s no problem, I will label them for you.”

wow, what personalized service. this man is out to do his best, just for me. as far as he knows, I am the only gluten free guest attending this party. despite the slip with the spelt, I have to say I am very impressed with his willingness to accommodate me.

stay tuned for part two where I write about the party and whether or not my gluten free dreams actually come true!  Andrea.

tonina’s deli & catering co  |   vancouver special   |   grains & flour

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