Dear Ask Alison,
I have a gluten sensitivity. Although I have never been diagnosed with Celiac Disease, consuming products containing gluten makes me ill. I find it difficult to eat out while avoiding gluten. What and where can one who is gluten free eat around St. Charles County?
- Andrew G., St. Charles
Even without a diagnosed allergy, many people are living low-gluten or gluten-free lifestyles because of the potential health benefits. These include, decreased inflammation, healthier digestion, and reduction of skin problems such as eczema and acne.
Restaurants and grocery stores are taking notice of this trend by offering more gluten-free options, but they aren't always easy to find. Below are 4 apps that can help you make g-free choices on the go. |
Find Me Gluten Free
Search for gluten-free restaurant menus by location and browse popular chain restaurants' gluten free options. Sometimes these are 'secret' menus, or by request only, but you can view them all in one place. This app also features user reviews. Free for Android or iPhone. |
Allergy Eats
This app features restaurant reviews from other allergy-sensitive users from around the world. It can determine your GPS location to show you highly rated restaurants near you. Search by common allergens or by restaurant name. You can also use it to plan vacations by searching allergy-friendly cities. Free for Android or iPhone. |
Open Table
This popular restaurant app has a special search feature for gluten-free menus in your area. You can also read reviews from other users and make a reservation: all in one place! Free for Android or iPhone. |
Allergy and Gluten Free Tracker by Fooducate.
This one is great for the grocery store. It allows you to scan item barcodes to check for common -and less common- allergens that you might miss on the label. You can also browse or search for popular grocery store items, links to directly to manufacturer websites or phone numbers. $4.99 for Android or iPhone. |
references
Lebwohl, Benjamin, Jonas F Ludvigsson, and Peter H R Green. “Celiac Disease and Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity.” The BMJ 351 (2015): h4347.PMC.