- · Coeliac Society of Ireland develops survival guide for a delicious gluten free Christmas
- · Top tips and recipes from chefs and experts
- · Estimated 47,500 people in Ireland have coeliac disease
Christmas is a very food focused time of year which is traditionally quite difficult for people with coeliac disease. But now it has been made much easier thanks to a new guide to going gluten free this festive season.
The Coeliac Little Helper guide to a gluten free at Christmas has been produced by the Coeliac Society of Ireland in association with PureBred gluten free bakery.
The guide contains top tips, tasty recipes and practical advice from chefs and experts on making merry regardless of your diet restrictions.
It is aimed at coeliac disease sufferers who need to cook gluten free meals for the whole family, as well as those hosting someone on a gluten free diet.
The guide includes recipes for gluten free Christmas Pudding, gravy for the roast turkey, snacks, nibbles and advice on suitable drinks.
The Coeliac Society worked with chefs and diet experts to develop the guide and remove the stress faced by many of Ireland’s estimated 47,500 coeliac disease sufferers and their families during the festive season.
Coeliac Society of Ireland chief executive Gill Brennan said: “Christmas is a wonderful time but can be stressful for those with coeliac disease, particularly children who are unsure about what they can and cannot eat. The Coeliac Little Helper guide is designed to ease that stress and makes it easy for people with coeliac disease and their families to enjoy a traditional Christmas with all the trimmings!
Contributing chef and blogger Nicola Halloran, of the The Wonky Spatula Blog, said: “There is a misconception that you need to compromise on taste when preparing a gluten free meal. This is so far from the truth. Much of the traditional Christmas dinner – turkey, geese, ham, vegetables, roast potatoes – are all naturally gluten free but it can get tricky around the trimmings and deserts. The recipes in this guide have been designed to ensure that whether you are preparing stuffing, making mince pies and puddings, gravy or a Christmas cake your guests will not know the difference.”
The Coeliac Society supports anyone diagnosed as coeliac throughout the year. Membership to the Society costs just €35 and includes a comprehensive annual Food List, listing thousands of suitable products available in Irish supermarkets; a monthly e-zine with the latest on events and advice; season goody lists for Easter, Halloween and Christmas; a quarterly magazine with articles on travel, health and recipes plus access to our phone support team.
From 2019 The Society will also be offering a reduced-rate appointments with their in-house dietitian, Sarah Keogh. Access to a dietitian is essential to optimum health. Many people are lacking essential nutrient pre-diagnosis and a dietitian can help you have
You can download a copy of the guide here: www.coeliac.ie/Christmas