Gluten Free

Think the event has been and gone. Post was from February.

BlueRuby

I'm coeliac. The boom in gluten free food has really helped, although it's expensive. Although I am a bit miffed that people who need a gluten free diet seem to be lumped together with vegans. Regarding your question, tbh, if someone I know invites me to eat with them I do expect them to provide the appropriate food. M & S do really good GF bread, and you can freeze whatever she doesn't use for her next visit.

Yes I can't understand that either. Many people choose gluten free as a Lifestyle choice, same as veganism and vegetarian.
You don't choose to have Coeliac disease, with its life threatening side effects, no choice but to eat Gluten free bread etc.

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I'm coeliac. The boom in gluten free food has really helped, although it's expensive. Although I am a bit miffed that people who need a gluten free diet seem to be lumped together with vegans. Regarding your question, tbh, if someone I know invites me to eat with them I do expect them to provide the appropriate food. M & S do really good GF bread, and you can freeze whatever she doesn't use for her next visit.

merlotgran

^Glutton free food is available in most supermarkets^

Oh I wish! 😂😂

Yes, I had a giggle at that typo or autocorrect!

Glutton free food is available in most supermarkets

Oh I wish! 😂😂

Glutton free food is available in most supermarkets. As you will probably be doing a large shop before the event I don't see why you couldn't pick up a couple of glutton free things for her. Would you ask a vegetarian to bring their own food?

I have had one of my son's friends to stay a few times. He is coeliac and always brings his own breakfast items. The first time he stayed with me I was unaware of his condition but on recent occasions I have cooked suitable foods for him, though he still brings his own breakfast! If you know in advance it is easy to buy gluten free items these days but many coeliacs prefer to take their own items rather than risk a mistake. My son's father in law is coeliac and was ill last weekend after a takeaway meal we had that turned out not to be gluten free as expected! If your relative is coeliac then maybe you should be accommodating, but if she is not diagnosed but just choosing to eat less gluten she can surely bring her own.

It’s really easy to pick up gluten free bread, snacks, cakes etc, all the big supermarkets stock a good range. My DiL is vegan, gluten free and I can always cater for her at family meals.
I think I would be upset if I was asked to bring my own food to a gathering/party.

You have plenty that she can eat. It isn't unreasonable for you to ask her to bring her own bagel, bread etc to accompany the food you have prepared. SIL may decide not to come and you are then left with bread products that nobody else eats.
I once catered a whole buffet because one invited guest was gluten free. The gluten free guest never came, but everyone else enjoyed the buffet.

I can’t have gluten and it would be easier for me to buy my own as some are awful. A loaf can be upto £3.50so I would make a sandwich and bring that . Also I know it’s not been near anything I can’t eat . Jacket spuds are my go to as it’s a comfort to eat those . Friends are good about it all but I’m used to navigating it all . Your relative sounds fed up and after a fuss .

icanhandthemback

undines

I'm GF and while I get a bit irritated at pubs and restaurants that do not have GF (it's SO easy to provide) I know it can be hard for friends. I think SIL sounds demanding and is quite rude also! GF is dead easy to find even in small supermarkets, so you might like to have a few rolls in the freezer. It's not easy to cope with all the food preferences and sensitivities, and I almost always take my own. No biggie!

I am diabetic and just can't understand why they cannot provide sugar free drinks other than Cola which is stuffed with caffeine. There is rarely a dessert which is suitable either. 1 in 16 people is diabetic. It's the same in Supermarkets. I can access gluten free (1 in a 100 have an intolerance) where they have a special stand for gluten free products but you have to read all the backs of packets for sugar free.

I remember when I was a child that Boots (the large one in our city centre) used to have a range of diabetic products including jams, marmalade, biscuits and I'm pretty sure there were chocolates as well. This was in the 60's.

Our lovely elderly neighbour was diabetic and my mum always made the pilgrimage at Christmas to buy her something from this range of products. I do remember mum saying how expensive they were.

undines

I'm GF and while I get a bit irritated at pubs and restaurants that do not have GF (it's SO easy to provide) I know it can be hard for friends. I think SIL sounds demanding and is quite rude also! GF is dead easy to find even in small supermarkets, so you might like to have a few rolls in the freezer. It's not easy to cope with all the food preferences and sensitivities, and I almost always take my own. No biggie!

I am diabetic and just can't understand why they cannot provide sugar free drinks other than Cola which is stuffed with caffeine. There is rarely a dessert which is suitable either. 1 in 16 people is diabetic. It's the same in Supermarkets. I can access gluten free (1 in a 100 have an intolerance) where they have a special stand for gluten free products but you have to read all the backs of packets for sugar free.

I would do a Buffet ..

Gluten free breads of 2 or 3 types

Charcuterie ( turkey, ham, assorted cheeses, cold cuts)

LIMIT THE CARBS AS THEY ARE NOT GLUTEN FREE

Perhaps a dish like oven baked Aubergine Parmigiana or a roast turkey or roast beef

Some smoked fish (salmon, trout, cod )

Dips without high carbs or hand made and crudities

A gluten free pizza with tomato, basil, mozzarella which is a Margharita

Club sandwiches on Gluten free bread

This is a special day for her and I would overlook the lack of protocol and just have a very pleasant day.

Perhaps one of her friends live close to her and can drop her off at home afterwards.

I'm GF and while I get a bit irritated at pubs and restaurants that do not have GF (it's SO easy to provide) I know it can be hard for friends. I think SIL sounds demanding and is quite rude also! GF is dead easy to find even in small supermarkets, so you might like to have a few rolls in the freezer. It's not easy to cope with all the food preferences and sensitivities, and I almost always take my own. No biggie!

I usually take my gluten free stuff and so does my daughter in law with her egg and milk free diet for her daughter and nobody is offended . Some of my friends wouldn’t cope with gluten free so manage myself to avoid people’s stress - why not ?

Gosh - get her gluten free bits she might not be the only one!
And knee re placements are no joke - of course she won’t be able to drive - hopes she gets the baby something nice though …

I think that it's difficult to fully understand the danger of minimal cross contamination of wheat to someone suffering from coeliac disease or serious allergy. Even the best restraunts can make an error which sadly has put me into anaphylaxis. I now don't eat out. I remember a meal where a plate cover was put over my safe meal to bring to the table. The cover had crumbs on it from having been tested on a kitchen surface. Chips cooked in the same oil as breaded foods.
It's safer to take your own food rather than trust the caterer.

I'm just wondering if some posters would think someone with a nut or sesame seed allergy was being fussy or not bother with being too stringent about the food if they visited 🤔

I was happy to buy gluten free for one friend, but she is so anxious that she always brings her own carbs anyway, so now we’re both happy. Lots of good ideas for a GF buffet on here though.

If she is not coeliac then you do not have to be too stringent, so make food that everyone can eat

Potato crisps, potato pancakes, rice or potato salad for her carbs (you can make these last 2 and coleslaw yourself to save money, although I must admit most supermarkets sell huge tubs of cheap coleslaw for less than £1)
Salad food
Ham, cheese, pate, cocktail sausages (not rolls - pastry is often a problem for us older ladies), chicken drumsticks
Salsa/cheese dip with celery, carrot, cucumber crudites
If you want sweet items:
Fruit salad
Trifle without sponges
but I must admit that Tesco GF chocolate cake is delish! and not too expensive - but you will have to make sure you put a slice aside for her before it all goes
Doubt that you will have alcohol, but a crafty sherry for her will make everything go down well

My SIL is gluten-free and always brings her own gluten free breadto family gatherings-just in case.She manages to eat most of the food , so many foods cater for gluten free these days anyway.Your SIL sounds extremely demanding- you have invited her to a lovely brunch.She should be grateful that you are so accommodating,you are not her carer!

She's being a bit precious. I can't eat most wheat - I know its awkward so I am always happy to bring my own rye bread and a flapjack. They can stay in my bag unmentioned if there is plenty of food I can manage - or come out to supplement what is on offer if necessary. Actually I don't like people to go to trouble and expense about it. What if they do, and then I'm just not very hungry... Playing on your good nature. Is she attention seeking?

I'm gluten intolerant and rarely eat bread. When I do, I make it myself. If there's other food she can eat I don't see the problem. Although I will be one of those GF baguettes to make garlic bread if I have other GF peeps round for a meal.

Sounds an unreasonable request. Most people with specific dietary needs are us only too happy to bring what they need, make everything easier.