Kids' party? Top tips for cooking for a coeliac guest at your home

Hosting a kid's party is a stressful affair; making sure you have enough entertainment lined up, getting the party bags sorted, and cooking enough food so no one goes home hungry are just a few things you need to think of!

And it's even harder when one of your little guests is a coeliac. 

Coeliac disease is an auto-immune disease that prevents those affected from digesting gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley and rye. 

The disease can manifest itself at any stage in a person’s lifetime, with symptoms including abdominal pain, recurring mouth-ulcers, weight-loss, vomiting and diarrhoea. 

This means that you, as host, need to be very careful when it comes to preparing and cooking food. 

To ensure your little guests get to enjoy the party without any fear of cross-contamination, The Coeliac Society of Ireland advises: 

• You discuss what you plan to cook with your coeliac guest's parent. Often a meal can be made gluten-free with some minor tweaks.
• Cook gluten-free food separately; if using a deep fat fryer ensure the oil is changed if it was previously used to cook a gluten containing food. If using a toaster, try toaster bags to ensure gluten free bread is not contaminated.
• Sharing is not always caring where a coeliac guest is concerned. For example, using the same butter knife for standard and gluten-free bread could make your guest ill. Allow your guest to serve themselves first to avoid cross contamination. Providing a separate dish for butter or dips is also a good idea.
• Ensure all equipment, dishes and utensils are clean. Make sure you don’t stir or serve gluten-free food with a spoon that has come into contact with gluten without cleaning it first.
• If you are using a breadboard, ensure it is thoroughly cleaned before cutting gluten-free bread.

Coeliac Awareness Week 2018, which is supported by Ireland’s leading grocery retailer SuperValu, takes place nationwide from 14th to 20th May.

This year, the Coeliac Society of Ireland are highlighting the impact of coeliac disease on families, and in particular, children. A number of events will be taking place during Awareness Week, including a series of in-store events at SuperValu stores around Ireland, featuring dietetic talks, advice from the Coeliac Society of Ireland and gluten-free food samplings.

For the full programme of events for Coeliac Awareness Week 2018, visit: www.coeliac.ie and www.supervalu.ie.