Pack your bags! We're going around the globe... gluten-free!

When I was officially diagnosed with Celiac Disease in 2009, one of my first thoughts was "how can I travel and see the world if I can't eat any good food?".

Then it hit me... If there was ever a good excuse to travel, this is the perfect one! Being gluten-free doesn’t have to mean taking something out of your diet. It can mean putting a lot more in... a never ending experiment. What better way to discover new food then to travel and look for it?

Now, I’m combining my love for travel with my love for gluten-free food and taking you on an adventure with me around the globe as we explore living and loving the gluten-free life.

Got your passport?


Monday, May 23, 2011

Beer Season!

Once the weather hit about 18-20 degrees, everyone knows it's beer season and beer companies everywhere start to ramp up their ads... "Brava, the beer of summer!", "Corona, find your island", "Molson Canadian 67, you can have a little, or you can have it all". If you're a Celiac, your beloved beer options become a bit slim. If you find yourself pondering what you can drink this summer and you find yourself asking "Is there a great gluten-free beer out there? Does it actually exist?" The answer to both is yes.

Unlike several years ago, today's Celiac surge has created a handful of great gluten-free beer products and can be found at your local and participating LCBO's. To introduce them, here are the main competitors - La Messagere, New Grist and Nickel Brook Gluten Free.

No matter what kind of beer you have, the science behind beer boils down to including about four main ingredients: malted barley, hops, yeast and water. The main problem here is that barley (along with wheat and rye) falls under the gluten category which is off-limits to those with Celiacs Disease. The main difference with these gluten-free beers is that they are made with sorghum, a nice alternative. The other interesting thing about these drinks is that they are not technically allowed to be called "beer". This is due to the fact that to be deemed a "beer", the drink must contain at least 25% malted barley.

When finding the right gluten-free beer for you this summer, keep in mind that none of these products will ever replace regular beer, but they make a damn good gluten-free option and a gluten-free option is better then no option at all. Finding the taste and quality that suits your fancy is a bit challenging (and can be frustrating), but keep an open mind and be sure to have more than one can ;) You will find the taste grows on you faster than you might think!

For some helpful reviews, visit:
http://www.tasteto.com/2009/08/11/beer-of-the-week-new-grist-gluten-free/
http://www.thestar.com/living/food/article/943142--gluten-free-beer-a-first-in-ontario



Cheers to beers!

The Gluten-Free Passport

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