Anonymous
Post 02/18/2024 20:45     Subject: How to handle - gluten free situation
Anonymous wrote:In principle, I agree with OP. This is an adult, it doesn’t sound like a severe allergy, it’s just snacks, not a meal, and it’s infrequent. If there’s one option for the GF person and everything brought to her home is GF, there should be no issue. It would be like if someone is pregnant and not having wine. Everyone else can still have wine, and the pregnant person can have lemonade.

That said, if lots of other loud voices insist all snacks must all be GF for all monthly meetings, I would just go along with it, even though I agree this is unnecessary. There are a bazillion things that are naturally GF that other posters mentioned. No need to buy special GF bread or other frankenfoods. It’s just snacks, not even a meal. Honestly I don’t even know why adults need snacks in the first place.



In her house, if it's gluten-free you don't bring gluten but that's not reasonable for her to expect every home to be gluten-free.
Anonymous
Post 02/18/2024 20:43     Subject: How to handle - gluten free situation
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:It’s once a month. Can’t you deal with once a month gluten free food? I agree to go with natural gluten free food or the tried and true one you like.


But then, if another person is vegan, one is allergic to soy, one to nuts, etc,this approach leads to all snacks having to meet all the requirements. Makes much more sense to just make sure there is at least one option for the GF person and at least one option for anyone else with a restriction. The exception would be if someone were deathly allergic and couldn't even breathe the same air as the allergen.


As a vegetarian, who doesn't eat much eggs or dairy, I usually eat before I go or bring something or will just find something.

I did a gluten free option for someone who we were having over regularly and then he'd ever eat it. Its really expensive so not reasonable for all the food to be gluten free.
Anonymous
Post 02/18/2024 20:41     Subject: How to handle - gluten free situation
If they have celiac then it is like a severe allergy. Food that is prepared near gluten can be cross-contaminated and make them sick. My DD is ill for days after being glutened. I’d ask the person their preference. They may prefer to bring their own. But I also agree that there are lots of naturally gluten free snacks.
Anonymous
Post 02/18/2024 20:22     Subject: How to handle - gluten free situation
I agree that no gluten containing foods should be brought into the GF person’s home. Probably nothing homemade - only sealed store bought things or things like fruit or a veggie tray with sealed and labeled dip.
Anonymous
Post 02/18/2024 20:06     Subject: How to handle - gluten free situation
As someone from a gluten free home (celiac) I agree that it’s gracious to provide one or two gluten free options if hosting someone you know has celiac. Keep the items in the package and look for the “gluten free” label on the package so the person knows for sure it’s gluten free. If I were hosting at my gluten free house I’d provide all the food.
Anonymous
Post 02/18/2024 19:52     Subject: Re:How to handle - gluten free situation
Anonymous wrote:Don't hurt yourselves. If someone does a charcuterie board each meeting, the GF person is good, cheese, cured meats, nuts, fresh fruit, dried fruit, maybe some hummus and veggies.


I have celiac disease. All cheese, cured meats, dried fruit, and hummus are not gluten free. Most are, but not all. Being strictly gluten free is a lot of work. I think it is nice if 1-2 gluten free options are offered. These are things that should be certified gluten free. I would not eat something made at someone else's house because people often are well-meaning, but do not fully understand how to ensure safety.
Anonymous
Post 02/18/2024 19:07     Subject: How to handle - gluten free situation
One of my kids is totally GF and he brings his own snacks everywhere. We are mostly gluten free by association. I would never expect people to offer only GF options even if I had full Celiac. Maybe an option you know the person likes if you want and yes, if she hosts it's nice to just bring GF.
Anonymous
Post 02/18/2024 18:00     Subject: How to handle - gluten free situation
Anonymous wrote:No- the celiac member can bring their own food. That's what the ones I know do, because they don't possibly trust some or "all" food being gluten free. It's way to risky for them.


This is absurd. GF food is not that hard. They should not have to "bring their own food" unless they prefer that. There should be sufficient GF options, but no, all options need not be GF.
Anonymous
Post 02/18/2024 17:10     Subject: How to handle - gluten free situation
In principle, I agree with OP. This is an adult, it doesn’t sound like a severe allergy, it’s just snacks, not a meal, and it’s infrequent. If there’s one option for the GF person and everything brought to her home is GF, there should be no issue. It would be like if someone is pregnant and not having wine. Everyone else can still have wine, and the pregnant person can have lemonade.

That said, if lots of other loud voices insist all snacks must all be GF for all monthly meetings, I would just go along with it, even though I agree this is unnecessary. There are a bazillion things that are naturally GF that other posters mentioned. No need to buy special GF bread or other frankenfoods. It’s just snacks, not even a meal. Honestly I don’t even know why adults need snacks in the first place.

Anonymous
Post 02/18/2024 16:25     Subject: How to handle - gluten free situation
In my family we have vegetarian, Kosher, someone who I can not figure out the rules for. We try to make sure there is something for everyone but still serve Turkey on TG, with some sides that have butter etc. Vegetarian can focus on sides. Kosher picks meat or dairy. Veggies there for the "I mostly eat chick peas and broccoli" person.
Anonymous
Post 02/18/2024 16:20     Subject: How to handle - gluten free situation
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:It’s once a month. Can’t you deal with once a month gluten free food? I agree to go with natural gluten free food or the tried and true one you like.

She should not have to.


You don’t “have” to do anything. It’s about being kind and gracious.


She doesn’t have to serve all gluten free in order to be kind and gracious.
Anonymous
Post 02/18/2024 16:17     Subject: How to handle - gluten free situation
Honestly as a celiac I would appreciate the thought but probably wouldn’t eat the offered snacks. There’s such a high chance of cross contamination in someone else’s kitchen no matter how well intentioned someone is.
Anonymous
Post 02/18/2024 15:08     Subject: How to handle - gluten free situation
Anonymous wrote:It’s once a month. Can’t you deal with once a month gluten free food? I agree to go with natural gluten free food or the tried and true one you like.


But then, if another person is vegan, one is allergic to soy, one to nuts, etc,this approach leads to all snacks having to meet all the requirements. Makes much more sense to just make sure there is at least one option for the GF person and at least one option for anyone else with a restriction. The exception would be if someone were deathly allergic and couldn't even breathe the same air as the allergen.
Anonymous
Post 02/18/2024 14:56     Subject: How to handle - gluten free situation
Anonymous wrote:I would agree with you, especially since it’s just snacks. If the gluten free guest needs more than one option, she can bring it. C


+1
Anonymous
Post 02/18/2024 14:52     Subject: How to handle - gluten free situation
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:It’s once a month. Can’t you deal with once a month gluten free food? I agree to go with natural gluten free food or the tried and true one you like.

She should not have to.


You don’t “have” to do anything. It’s about being kind and gracious.