All fired up

The Garden State is in full grilling mode and those backyard barbecues can be tricky for celiacs. The Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio has issued a list of tips for parents to keep safe their kids on gluten-free diets.

Photo/National Foundation for Celiac Awareness

The good advice, which is equally valuable for adults, aims to protect celiacs from cross-contamination and ingredients that might be used by hosts who are unfamiliar with the particulars of GF living. Of course, you can host your own gathering at the grill to avoid issues altogether, bring a GF bun or bread for your burger, or offer to contribute a GF dish to share, potluck-style.

Other words of wisdom from the NCH:

• Ask if the meat is plain. Seasoning or soup mixes containing wheat may have been added to the meat.
• Check for marinades or sauces. Marinades or sauces may contain wheat, especially if they contain soy sauce. Some soy sauce can be purchased gluten-free. Watch out for marinades made with beer.
• Check for meat substitutes. Meat substitutes, like veggie burgers, often look like the real thing, but can contain wheat.
• Wrap your food in foil while grilling. Wrapping your meat or corn on the cob in foil is crucial if you don’t know if the grill has been cleaned, especially after marinades containing gluten have been used or buns have been warmed on the grill.
• Make sure the spatula only touches plain meats or vegetables. Cross contamination with buns or marinades could be dangerous.
•  Closely watch condiments: Read the labels. If squeeze bottles aren't being used, try to be first in line to avoid contamination from knives that have touched bread containing gluten.

I've always brought my own bread/bun to a barbecue, and supplemented it with skinless grilled chicken, GF baked beans, fresh
fruit, corn on the cob or tossed salad without croutons. If you're health- or weight-conscious, it's a good opportunity to simply avoid desserts, chips and the heavy salads, like potato or macaroni, that are typically served at barbecues.

The National Foundation for Celiac Awareness offers additional tips here.