Accomodating Your Gluten-Free Guest

Written by Sylvia Geiger MS, RD, CD, Price Chopper Community Nutritionist

It seems like I’ve opened a Bed & Breakfast this summer—every week my house has been full with out- of- town guests. But I enjoy being a host, and I like to share my home and make my guests feel welcome by cooking for them. However, some houseguests come with special dietary needs, and understanding some basics about their food requirements goes a long way in making everyone comfortable. Next week I’ll have a visitor who has celiac disease, and I want to make their stay easy, comfortable and enjoyable. I’m planning on having some gluten-free foods on-hand for them to graze on and my menus will be gluten-free or have some alternatives that they can enjoy. This allows family meals to be enjoyed together without singling out anyone based on what they can or can’t eat.

People who have celiac disease are usually very knowledgeable about what foods contains gluten, so be sure to ask them for some ideas for stocking your fridge. Here are some basics for those who are new to gluten-free cooking. For starters, people with celiac disease cannot eat any foods that contain gluten because it causes severe gastrointestinal immune reactions that can make them very sick.

Gluten foods are any foods that have wheat, barley or rye in them or that have ingredients that include wheat, barley or rye. Oats don’t contain gluten but are usually processed in plants that may be contaminated with wheat—so ask your guest or avoid oat-containing foods as well!

9 Ideas for Accommodating Your Gluten-free Guest

Plan ahead and read ingredient lists on food packages. Many processed foods contain hidden gluten. Be sure to check soups, soup stock, rice mixes or premade sauces to see if they contain gluten. This is a case of “when in doubt—leave it out.” Your guest will appreciate your effort.
Call or email your in-store Price Chopper Registered Dietitian with any gluten-free question. They can be reached at Price Chopper Registered Dietitians
Use our Price Chopper gluten-free foods list when shopping for your guest. It will take out the guesswork about what does or doesn’t contain gluten. Gluten-free foods at Price Chopper
Fruits and vegetables are naturally gluten-free—so have plenty on hand for snacking.
Rice, wild rice, corn and quinoa are gluten-free foods. Price Chopper does sell several different brands of gluten-free pasta.
Meat, fish and chicken are also gluten-free, but some cold cuts do contain wheat starch as binders. Ask our teammates in deli to direct you to our Gluten-free selections.
Milk, cheese and most yogurts are gluten-free although some ice creams & yogurts may have modified food starch, which contains wheat. Avoid those.
Want a beverage to complement your meal? Remember that Beer and Malt containing beverages have gluten, but wine doesn’t.
We sell several brands of gluten-free breads, cookies, snacks and other foods. One of our teammates will be happy to help you with finding any !