Found a display in the Halloween candy area of Target with a tear off sheet titled: 2016 Halloween Allergen Guide. Click the link to see the guide at the Target website.
The Guide states: “The allergens listed for the 2016 candy items below have been confirmed by our manufacturers, and listed in their ingredient statement.”
The items are separated into 3 categories: those free of listed allergens (milk, soy, egg, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, gluten), those which contain milk and/or soy (but no gluten), and those free of gluten (with no designation of other allergens).
Shopping for (and enjoying) Halloween candy will definitely be easier this year.
Thanks, Target!!!!!!!!
Question: I have to stay at [a local hospital overnight and they are not very helpful with gluten free options. I was told I have to pick food off the regular menu. I can’t believe a hospital does not have gf food. Suggestions? Thanks.
Answer: Thank you for writing with this excellent question. Patients who require a gluten-free diet should certainly be able to eat safely & nutritiously while in the hospital, of all places! Here are some suggestions:
1) Contact an inpatient clinical dietitian or food service supervisor at the hospital to discuss your medical dietary needs (Is it safe to assume you have celiac disease?) Please explain that your diet is not a choice but rather the sole treatment for your autoimmune disease.
2) While the hospital may not offer specialized GF items such as bread or pasta, they do serve numerous foods which happen to be naturally gluten-free. If they have not done so already, they should identify those foods and provide a detailed list from which you and future patients can select.
3) If your inpatient stay will last longer than a few days (during which time you should expect to receive variety and balanced, nutritious meals), the dietary department may wish to consider providing frozen GF entrees for increased variety as a simple, short-term solution.
4) Please ask how the hospital handles allergies (e.g. allergy wrist band?) While you technically do not have an allergy, this type of flag will raise awareness when hospital staff is providing food and medication.
5) Speaking of meds, please notify the nursing staff and pharmacy of your gluten restriction.
6) If something does not “look” or seem right, please inquire. Humans make mistakes. If a staff member quickly dismisses your concern, ask to speak with a supervisor or chef.
7) Lastly, you may be able or even encouraged to bring in your own food. While you may choose this option, it should certainly not be a necessity.
All hospitals should be able to meet the medical dietary needs of their patients. Best wishes to you.
Trisha B. Lyons, RDN
My husband and I recently attended a niece’s wedding in Las Vegas – just a ‘mini trip’ of about 3 days. Who knew Las Vegas had so very much to offer.
My gluten- free diet needs were easily and deliciously accommodated in 3 venues:
‘The Buffet’ restaurant Excalibur Hotel/Casino, where the maître d’ summoned the chef who walked the buffet (including 3 gluten-free cake varieties) with us. The chef mentioned that he will be adding gluten-free labeling to the buffet soon. This became our go-to place for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
Buddy V Ristorante located in The Venetian Hotel/Casino provided a helpful maître d’ and a wonderful Italian meal with gluten-free pasta.
Mandalay Bay Hotel/Casino’s House of Blues restaurant actually had an extensive gluten-free menu. Another delicious, safe meal there.
So, if these 3 venues are indicative of eating gluten-free in Las Vegas, no worries!
In addition to eating well and socializing, in those few short days we managed to visit Red Rock Canyon, the Grand Canyon (western edge) and the Hoover Dam – all of which were spectacular sites.
If you find yourself visiting Las Vegas, my advice to you is to eat well and enjoy as much of the area as you can – it is well worth the trip (mini or otherwise).
Are you a podcast lover? Here’s one to try. And if you don’t listen to podcasts you don’t know what you’re missing!
The 1st episode of “The Celiac Project Podcast: 2 Guys Talking Gluten Free” is now available for free on iTunes.
I was able to subscribe in my phone’s podcast app by adding their podcast feed url. http://celiacprojectpodcast.libsyn.com/rss
This first episode introduces director of “The Celiac Project” Michael Frolichstein discussing celiac disease and navigating a gluten free lifestyle with fellow comrade and celiac, Cam Weiner.
I liked the easy, back and forth exchange. They are clearly knowledgeable about celiac disease and living gluten free and want to share their insights. I also like the fact that these guys are different ages and at different stages from diagnosis. Plus, they are guys. As they point out, so often celiac disease and the gluten free lifestyle have a female-centric focus. Is there a gender difference? Look forward to finding out.
