Skip to content

Gluten-free 101: What is gluten-free at Hardee’s?

Kimberly_Bouldin_Exam_OHEating on the run is one of the hardest things to do when you have to follow a strict gluten-free diet. No one likes to have to depend on fast food or food on the go, but let’s face it, in this day & age, it is inevitable. It isn’t always possible to plan ahead & pack something safe to eat. Enter: fast food restaurants. More fast food restaurants are starting to cater to those with special dietary needs. Hardee’s is a great example.
hardees-logo
Hardee’s not only has a gluten-free burger, but they have a salad & breakfast bowl option as well. Hardee’s sent me the following email today:

Free Celiac Disease screening October 10 at the University of Chicago

Anne_Steib_Exam_Pic

With Celiac awareness on the rise, more and more people are getting tested and properly diagnosed. Many people have lived with troubling symptoms for years before getting a doctor to order the correct tests and give a formal diagnosis. Once people receive their diagnosis, they can cut gluten from their lives, allow their bodies to heal and feel better than they have in years.

Current studies predict that 1 out of 100 Americans have celiac, that is over 3 million Americans, and of those, 97% are undiagnosed. The longer an individual goes with undiagnosed celiac, the greater their risk to develop other serious illnesses.

On average, a child will visit 8 pediatricians before being correctly diagnosed with celiac disease.

UofC_logo

As a result The University of Chicago Celiac Disease Center offers a free blood screening every October. This year, it will be held October 10, 2009. Pre-registration is required, and opens September 1, 2009. Please call 773.702.7593 to register. The free blood screening will take place on the 4th floor of The University of Chicago Duchossois Center for Advanced Medicine.

Is gluten free the next weight loss fad diet?

Cindy_Swan_Exam_Billings_MT

With increasing regularity folks are asking if they should start the “new” gluten free diet to lose weight. They’re serious. Too often eating plans designed to combat specific diseases become money making marketing machines in the form of weight loss fad diet products, usually with poor long term results.

cindy_swan_veggies Many people now see the gluten free labels in the health food section of the grocery store, the thin people reaching for them, and well, you see the fore drawn conclusion. What they don’t realize is that the thin person may have celiac disease or other autoimmune disorder, and he or she actually weighs a healthy 20 pounds more since starting a gluten free diet, putting an end to malabsorption problems. Conversely, some people do lose weight eating gluten free, not because they are using the lifestyle as a specific weight loss program, but because addressing their underlying disease resulted in improved body composition.

In the later case, weight loss may be a side benefit of removing the offending food, thus allowing the body time to heal and absorb nutrients normally. However, a gluten free lifestyle is not intended to be the next fad weight loss program. Consider two other dieting trends over the past two decades:

Mark your calenders for September 13th

September 13th marks Celiac Sprue Association’s (CSA) Celiac Awareness Day. This provides a great time for people suffering with Celiac Disease to spread awareness to their friends, family, and doctors. The CSA has an awareness… 

Treating Candida Albicans Intestinal Yeast Overgrowth in Celiac Disease

The frequency of intestinal overgrowth by candida albicans is increased in people with celiac disease. In fact, infection by this common organism, also called C. albicans or candida, appears to be a trigger in the onset of celiac disease.1 Candida is yeast, a budding type of fungus, capable of fermenting carbohydrates. Albicans identifies this particular yeast from many others.

Candida albicans usually maintains a tiny appearance in our intestinal tract unless conditions change to favor its growth. It can thrive and invade if the intestinal lining becomes inflamed or damaged, the composition of normal flora becomes disrupted, immune defenses become diminished or malnutrition reduces our health. Candida albicans infection is characterized by superficial, irregular white patches with a red base. Invasion of the bloodstream is possible and would be life-threatening.

Gluten-free Soft Pretzels That Taste Like the Real Thing!

dutchcountrylogo

Warm, chewy and wonderful gluten-free soft pretzels are being made in the heart of Lancaster County, PA.

Dutch Country Soft Pretzels in New Holland has turned out an excellent gluten-free soft pretzel that tastes like the real thing. This is a boon to Philadelphians with celiac disease and everyone on the gluten-free diet.

Top Ten Kitchen Gadgets for Gluten-Free Cooks

All gluten-free cooks should have a few a great kitchen gadgets to brighten their culinary lives.

Here is a list of the items in my kitchen that I can’t live without.

1. Mandoline – I use it to slice almost everything. Fennel, carrots, radishes, garlic, pears, you name it, I slice it!

2. Food Dehydrator – This week we dehydrated pears, apples, straberries, nectarines, beets and sweet potatoes.

3. Microplane Grater – I use my grater for citrus zest, parmesan cheese and garlic.

Appetite for Awareness celiac disease event returns to Philadelphia

wachovia-center
Top Medical Professionals and Premier Chefs unite to increase awareness of celiac disease and the gluten-free lifestyle.

Appetite for Awareness is a dream come true for the 1,500 expected attendees who will be delighted by a wide range of gluten-free delicacies at every turn. Hosted by Ed Snider, the chairman of Comcast Spectacor, this dynamic event brings together 25 of the Philadelphia area’s most prestigious chefs, top docs and media representatives to compete for the best gluten-free dish.

WHAT: The National Foundation for Celiac Awareness (NFCA) will hold its 6th annual Appetite for Awareness: A Gluten-Free Cooking Spree to promote awareness and increase diagnosis of celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder affecting 1 in 133 Americans. Top chefs and doctors will be assembled into teams and compete to create the best gluten-free dish. Guests will enjoy sampling gluten-free creations from over 25 of the area’s preeminent restaurants, gluten-free beer, wine, and products from over 50 of the nation’s finest gluten-free vendors. This will be fun. Guaranteed!