Allergy Riders

I’m gluten free…  how about you?

Jodi Mitchell
2 June 2011

Almost ten years ago I was diagnosed with coeliacs disease.  At the time I would go into a restaurant and ask what they could do gluten free and either be asked what it is, told that they didn’t have glutinous rice on the menu, or I’d get “that’s when you can’t eat potatoes right?”  (I must note, those last two comments, completely wrong!).

The last decade has seen both a huge awareness and increase in the number of people who can’t or shouldn’t eat particular foods – normally gluten, dairy, eggs, or nuts.  Add to that a bit of cultural diversity and you’re generally catering any event for all of the above, along with vegan as well. 

When it comes to the kids, I’m one of the lucky ones.  My kids eat predominantly gluten free, but that’s because that’s what I have in the house and I like them to eat what I cook for myself.  If they go to other people’s houses, I never have to worry about what they might be served and what impact that will have on them.  It was one of my greatest worries as a parent that I would pass on my disease and it would be something my children would have to live with, and all of the potential repercussions that go with that.  My own medical condition however does make me hugely aware of what other people’s kids might have going on and have to be dealing with.

Allergy Riders have come up with a fabulous solution to allergy eating at kids parties (I’d put them on adults dinner parties too personally!), and that is a range of baking cups and food flags which indicate what allergies they cater for. 

Even if your child doesn’t have any allergies or food intolerances, imagine being the kid that does.  It’s no fun being at a party when you can’t join in on one of the best parts – the food table!  The fact that they are colour coordinated helps too – much easier to tell your gluten free three year old to eat anything that has an orange flag or is in an orange baking cup than to tell them to stick to the fruit plate!

I’ll be stocking up ready for the next party season, how about you?  Buy them online at allergyriders.com.au.