Storage of GF products & Help re Bread

[km Profile]

I didn't see the episode of Health Squad which featured the girl who was coeliac but I heard that, during that episode, it was mentioned that all GF produce should be stored in a separate cupboard to all other foods to avoid contamination. Can anyone confirm if this is the case?

I have 7yr old son who has just been diagnosed coeliac and a 5yr old daughter who is probably going to be diagnosed whenever she gets to top of waiting list!! Both of them had been eating bread from brown sliced pans and won't touch home-made breads. Can anyone recommend a GF bread which would in any way resemble the "normal" sliced pan? Any other suggestions for school lunches would be appreciated.

Thanks

[HelenF Profile]

Hi YK
yes it is the case. Also you have to use a separate toaster, sandwich maker and breadboard too, otherwise your normal bread will be cross contaminating the gf bread.

I use the brown gf "dietary specials" 4 rustic rolls (I get them in Dunnes). You heat them for 4 mins, let them cool and then you can use them for lunchs. I find them great as they don't crumble like lots of other gf food.

I eat dietary special sliced pan but to be honest, this does crumble and I don't use it for sandwiches, only the rustic rolls keep together as well as normal bread once refreshed.

It might be an idea to buy a breadmaker as they produce great results I hear. There is a product from some healthfood shops called Xanthan gum - you use about a teaspoonful in a breadmix and it stops the bread crumbling.

Finally, I would recommend you contact the coeliac society by phone as they are great - they will talk you through the whole transition to gf food for your children, they are very helpful.

Good luck with it all, it seems very daunting at first but it gets easy after a while,
Helen

[km Profile]

Thanks Helen,

Your reply is very much appreciated.

Yvonne