Having an allergy to gluten, Celiac Disease, can be very limiting. As a supervisor or caregiver of someone who has a gluten allergy or as a chef in a kitchen that offers gluten-free menu options, gluten-free foods education and training can help you create a safe environment.

With the proper training, cooking and serving gluten-free foods can be a snap. Knowing what products you can and cannot serve, what the alternatives are, and how to make them edible and delectable are key to gluten-free foods education and training. Consider the following when researching no gluten foods:

1. There are numerous resources online that offer information on gluten-free foods education and training as well as gluten-free food recipes and gluten-free products.

2. Organizations exist that are solely dedicated to Celiac Disease and providing invaluable information on preparing foods without gluten.

3. Cooking classes are a great way to get hands-on experience with gluten-free food and preparing a menu for clients on a gluten-free diet.

Action Steps
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Search for information on gluten-free food distributors and products online

An abundance of information can be found on the Internet about the gluten-free diet. Tips on what foods to eat and which to stay away from as well as advice on gluten-free food stores and recipes are just a click away. Learning online is a quick, convenient way to learn about the gluten-free diet. Many resources also allow you to develop and print menus.

I recommend: The Gluten Free Passport has information available on how to manage an allergy to gluten. The Mayo Clinic discusses the requirements for a gluten-free diet.

Join organizations that are dedicated to the gluten-free business of food preparation and supply

Whether you suffer from Celiac Disease, care for someone who does or cater to those on a gluten-free diet in a restaurant, you can benefit from the gluten-free foods education and training that is offered through gluten-free organizations. These organizations offer resources that can make the life of someone with an allergy to gluten more fulfilling and hassle-free. Joining these types of organizations will give you the chance to share tips and network with others looking to learn about how to buy gluten-free food and embrace the gluten-free lifestyle.

I recommend: The Celiac Disease Foundation offers resources for anyone interested in learning about the disease. The Celiac Sprue Association is an organization dedicated to the continuing education of Celiac Disease.

Take classes on cooking gluten-free foods

Just as there are specialized cooking classes for Italian food or baking, there are classes dedicated to gluten-free cooking. These types of classes can afford you the opportunity to try new recipes and get a handle on what it takes to cook and eat gluten-free foods. They also enable you to become comfortable with the tastes and textures of gluten-free foods to apply techniques learned in your own kitchen.

I recommend: Many gluten-free cooking classes are offered at The Cambridge School of Culinary Arts. The Natural Gourmet Institute For Food & Health offers hands-on, gluten-free cooking classes.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  As there are more discoveries made about Celiac Disease, gluten-free food options are becoming more popular and readily available to consumers. When shopping, check labels to ensure that your ingredients are gluten-free and do your research while creating a list to include items that are most familiar and safe.

Gluten free food products meet a need in this age of growing health concerns relating to allergies and foods. There is an increasing demand for no gluten foods, in both specialty stores and main stream grocers, because people want to know they can trust what's in the package. Adding gluten free products to your store inventory will not only increase sales potential, it can help you stand out above your competition.

Gluten free foods are most commonly associated with flour allergies, including those with Celiac disease. To qualify as no-gluten, foods cannot have any type of wheat flour in them. This includes whole wheat as well as traditional bleached white flour. When you are looking at gluten free products for your food business, consider the following:

1. Determine who your customer base is—parents, the health-conscious or those with medical conditions.

2. Analyze how much space you have in your store to devote to gluten-free foods.

3. Shop around for the best prices through wholesale manufacturers of gluten free foods.

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Use a directory to ensure quality of gluten free foods

Not all gluten free distributors are created equal. Make sure to do your homework and read all labels to ensure that what you're buying is quality. Some manufacturers may use deceptive advertising and not be truly be gluten free. It pays to research the company before purchasing foods from them.

I recommend: Green People provides you with a list of gluten free food stores and organic food distributors. Ener-G Foods is one of the country's top producers of foods for people with restricted diets. Participate in Ener-G forums to get your questions answered when determining what to order for your shop.

Save money with wholesale gluten free food distributors

Gluten free food distributors are your source for wholesale prices and quantities. An extra bonus of shopping at gluten free food stores is that they also carry many organic products, which appeal to your customer base, too.

I recommend: Gluten Free Warehouse, Earthly Gourmet and Gillian's Foods all have gluten free foods for sale. Order them online to make stocking your shop easy and hassle free.

Cater to customer needs with gluten free foods

Encourage customers to purchase gluten free food products by providing them with gluten free food recipes. Print gluten free recipes on index recipe cards or a simple flyer. Areas to focus on include gluten free diet food, such as low calorie desserts or other lifestyle gluten free foods.

I recommend: Celiac Sprue Association offers recipes for no gluten foods. Choose from various categories such as breakfast, breads, main dishes, dressings and snacks. Celiac.com lists plenty of gluten-free recipes.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Know that gluten free food manufacturers must adhere to rigorous health and safety standards, in order to label their products gluten free.

In today's health conscious world, gluten-free foods are an excellent item to offer your customers who may be concerned with flour allergies. Commonly associated with people who have celiac disease or dermatitis herpetiformis, many people choose gluten-free foods to better their health and to stay disease free.

To be considered gluten-free, foods cannot have any type of wheat flour in them. This includes whole wheat as well as traditional bleached white flour. The following are some of the key terms you should be familiar with when offering gluten-free foods.

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Organic options

Organic foods and gluten-free food pairings are a natural choice for your customers since many organic foods are gluten free, which makes it easier to find.

I recommend: UCS gives consumers information on organic gluten-free food and its benefits.

Celiac disease

Celiac disease requires avoiding foods with gluten. It is a digestive disorder that affects both children and adults, causing damage to the intestine when gluten-contained products are consumed.

I recommend: Celiac Sprue Association offers an excellent resource on celiac disease, its symptoms and definitions. National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse has diagrams and information on celiac disease.

Gluten-free diets

Gluten-free diets are an option for my consumers to ensure that they get the healthiest foods for their conditions such as celiac disease and dermatitis herpetiformis.

I recommend: The Vegetarian Society has an information sheet about a gluten-free diet and its benefits. The Mayo Clinic has an informative article on exactly how to go about being on a gluten-free diet.

Flour allergies

Flour allergies and gluten-free foods go hand in hand. By having flour allergies, consumers need to ingest gluten-free foods. Flour allergies are also called celiac disease and dermatitis herpetiformis.

I recommend: Flour Allergy makes learning about different flours and allergies less complicated by breaking down the different types.

Gluten

Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye, barley and oats. In order to properly sell gluten-free foods, it's beneficial to know exactly what gluten is and how it affects different people who have food allergies and diseases.

I recommend: Enterolab has a facts page stating what gluten is and how it is harmful in foods.

Dermatitis herpetiformis

Dermatitis herpetiformis is another food allergy caused by foods containing gluten. This is similar to celiac disease and causes damage to the intestines when gluten-contained foods are consumed.

I recommend: Medline Plus has pictures and information on herpetiformis. The AOCD offers a dermatitis herpetiformis database and gives informative facts and articles.

Gluten free food products, once a rare commodity, are now growing in number as doctors have recognized gluten to be a significant factor in a number of intestinal disorders. With more gluten free foods for sale, gluten free diet food also has become more popular as nutrition specialists advocate for organic, vegan and other alternatives to highly processed factory foods.

Gluten free food distributors have become a useful resource, not just for individuals who need gluten-free foods to combat food allergies and intestinal health concerns, but also for people seeking out a healthier lifestyle. As gluten free products become more common, doctors, dieticians and consumers will undoubtedly find even more gluten-free foods applications and uses.

When learning about gluten-free foods applications and uses, consider the following purposes:

1. Incorporate gluten free food products into special diet restrictions;
2. Use gluten free food recipes for intestinal disorders like Celiac Disease;
3. Learn why people with skin disorders might shop at gluten free food stores.
   

Action Steps
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Learn about the use of no gluten foods in a gluten-free diet program

Gluten-free diets, composed entirely of no gluten foods as alternatives to dietary staples that commonly contain gluten, are adopted by individuals for a number of reasons. While some people require gluten-free diets for health reasons, others elect a gluten-free diet voluntarily in order to simplify the nutritional substances being put into their bodies.

I recommend: Learn more about what a gluten-free diet is and why people may be interested in gluten-free foods from Jackson Siegelbaum Gastroenterology. You can also get dietary information about adopting a no gluten lifestyle, including a list of foods that contain or do not contain gluten, from The Mayo Clinic.

Use gluten-free foods for dietary needs of individuals with Celiac Disease

Gluten free food stores are most often frequented by individuals seeking nutritional cures for gastrointestinal problems that may be related to the body's intake of gluten. Celiac Disease is one of the most common gluten-related intestinal disorders, and gluten free food distributors may be interested in learning more about Celiac disease because of its relevance to a large number of gluten free food consumers.

I recommend: The National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse provides a comprehensive database of information on Celiac Disease and the reasons why CD patients require no gluten foods. The Winston-Salem Journal also published an article on some of the uses of gluten free foods, highlighting Celiac Disease as a major contributor.

Use gluten free food products to resolve certain skin disorders

A skin disorder often proposed to be related to Celiac Disease known as Dermatitis Herpetiformis is often resolved partially through the adoption of a diet of gluten-free foods. While the outbreaks on the skin may not appear to be related to diet, gluten is the culprit, making the treatment for Dermatitis Herpetiformis another common application of a gluten-free diet.

I recommend: Alpha Nutrition provides medical information on Dermatitis Herpetiformis and the importance of gluten free food products in resolving the condition. You can also learn more from the Celiac Sprue Association.