Gluten Free in the Can
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Learning that you’re gluten sensitive, gluten intolerant or coeliac is life changing. Overnight, or within minutes of being diagnosed, you come to realise that you can’t have bread, pasta, lasagne, ice cream, cupcakes, normal cakes, cookies, most chocolates and of course doughnuts!
I’ve been on a gluten free diet since 2009 after being sent to the emergency ward for appendicitis. If it wasn’t for a compassionate female American surgeon, I’d be without my appendix. Since then, I’ve learnt that food is meant to fuel you, not make you feel sluggish or weak. After some tests and through the process of elimination, I don’t suffer from tummy aches anymore.
But I remember spiralling into self-pity mode when I learnt I was gluten intolerant and had to give up KFC. My family didn’t know what to make of it – all they could say was, ‘that can’t be possible, we’re Indian ethnic, we’ve been eating naan, chapattis and rotti for generations!’ Errr…
Since embracing my gluten free (GF) status about three years ago, my diet and my grocery list has gone through some adjustments.
Eating at home is now a breeze and I can cook up delicious GF chicken parmigiana to banana bread for myself. But what about eating out? And, how do you come back to the office after a business lunch and still be productive and go home without a tummy ache?
The first thing I’ve learnt is that you need to let everyone around you know you are GF (gluten free, gluten intolerant or c0eliac) so that when they office decides to do a pizza lunch, they get you a salad or a GF pizza. Don’t feel bad about sharing your dietary requirements; vegetarians do it all the time (no offence).
I’ve been living in Canberra for just over a year and I now know exactly where I can go for a GF cake and coffee, a light lunch, a business lunch and a celebratory dinner. Below, is a list I’ve come up with:
Cream Café & Bar in civic for breakfast, lunch or dinner. The menu is extensive and although they don’t do GF bread, they offer some good GF options and the kitchen is always happy to adjust their recipes for you.
Bookplate Café at the National Library. Look for the Oscar torte and selection of beautiful macaroons with coffee.
The Chairman & Yip in civic – Chinese cuisine is on the menu again! With most sauces used in Chinese food not gluten free, this restaurant provides you with the option for GF Chinese dishes.
The Artisan – an amazing restaurant I ‘discovered’ hidden in Narrabundah. The service is awesome – the waiters are extremely attentive, the wine list extensive and everything (90%) of their menu is GF – including the desserts! You can have your business lunch here and go back to the office and still be productive. Ask for the GF bread roll. Yum.
Playground Martini & Tapas Bar in civic – the tapas menu and martinis are a winner. The menu clearly provides you with guidance on what is GF.
Milk & Honey in civic – they have a lovely selection of GF cakes (bless them!) and main meals. The staff is very good at double checking that your meal is GF. So you can eat confidently.
Digress Restaurant & Lounge – Italian Indian cuisine with gluten free pasta! This place is an acquired taste and I love it.
Figaro in Kingston – a really nice place to go with the girls or to celebrate a special occasion; the vibe is very European and you can ask the staff to point out all gluten free options. I’ve walked out full and happy.
Crust Gourmet Pizza – when I first stumbled into Crust Pizza while living in Sydney, the world of pizza miraculously re-opened to me. The menu is extensive and everyone at Crust is very happy to give you advice on what toppings aren’t GF. I’ve since also found out that Domino’s Pizza does gluten free bases but they don’t guarantee that their sauces are GF.
Lindt Chocolates – I go for dark and extra dark – the Lindor Balls and Lindt Excellence blocks and squares are available at IGA and gives me plenty of happiness. I always have a bag in the pantry cupboard.
And, I’m hooked on Gelato by Gelatissimo. Gelato is gluten free!
Also, recently, I’ve noticed Woolworths carries GF meat pies and lamingtons in their frozen food section – I’ve not tried them yet but I will very soon. For ice cream, I’ve noticed the ‘So Good’ brand labelling their ice cream ‘gluten free’.
Being gluten free is not so difficult anymore. The above list is certainly not exhaustive so if you’ve been to a place that caters for the GF girl, feel free to share.
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