Laura, Registered Dietitian

October is gluten free month at Harmons, and we have a lot going on.  We have in-store gluten-free events happening across the Wasatch Front.  Join us at each event to sample a variety of great gluten free products throughout the store and attend FREE workshops with your Harmons’ dietitians!  This is the perfect time to brush up on your gluten-free shopping skills, try new products, or learn more about celiac disease.

Celiac 101 Workshop
Have you or someone you know been recently diagnosed with Celiac Disease?  Join your Harmons Dietitian and learn the basics of this condition from diagnosis to treatment.

Choosing a Balanced Gluten Free Diet Workshop
Eating a balanced, nutritious diet can seem like a challenge when you follow a gluten free diet.  Join your Harmons dietitian to learn about specific nutritional deficiencies you may be at a higher risk of developing due to Celiac Disease and steps you can take to achieve optimal health.

Locations and Times

Bangerter Crossing, Draper
Monday, October 15, 2:00 – 6:00 pm

• Celiac 101 Workshop:  2:00 pm and 4:00 pm, Conference Room, Mezzanine Level
• Choosing a Balanced Gluten Free Diet Workshop:  3:00 pm and 5:00 pm, Conference Room, Mezzanine Level

City Creek, Salt Lake City
Wednesday, October 17, 11:00 am – 4:00 pm

• Celiac 101 Workshop:  11:00 am and 1:00 pm, Conference Room, Mezzanine Level
• Choosing a Balanced Gluten Free Diet Workshop:  12:00 pm and 3:00 pm, Conference Room, Mezzanine Level

Station Park, Farmington
Saturday, October 20, 11:00 am – 4:00 pm

• Celiac 101 Workshop:  11:00 am and 2:00 pm, Conference Room, Mezzanine Level
• Choosing a Balanced Gluten Free Diet Workshop:  12:00 pm and 3:00 pm, Conference Room, Mezzanine Level

Dave, Gluten Free Advocate

May has been designated as national Celiac Awareness Month. For those of you who do not know what Celiac disease is, it is a digestive disease that damages the small intestine and interferes with absorption of nutrients from food. People who have celiac disease cannot tolerate a protein called gluten, found in wheat, rye, and barley. Researchers now believe that as many as 2 million Americans may have celiac disease, or 1 in every 133 people. Come to Harmons this month to participate in some free workshops with our dieticians, learn about the many gluten free options we offer, sign up for gluten free cooking classes, and to boost your knowledge about this disease that affects so many. The workshops for the rest of the month are as follows:

Wednesday, May 9, 11:00 am – 5:00 pm, City Creek, 135 East 100 South, Salt Lake City
Saturday, May 12, 11:00 am – 5:00 pm, Bangerter Crossing, 125 East 13800 South, Draper

Jessica, Registered Dietitian

To kick off National Celiac Awareness Month this May, Harmons is hosting gluten free events at three of our locations—Station Park, City Creek, and Bangerter Crossing. All locations will offer free tastings and demos from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. featuring a variety of delicious gluten-free foods from more than 15 vendors, including eight Utah’s Own companies. Our dietitians will offer free workshops about living a healthy gluten free lifestyle and our Cooking School Chefs will conduct free cooking demonstrations and samples. All three locations will also offer a hands-on gluten free cooking class the evening of the event – visit the Great Health Calendar or the Cooking School Calendar to register.

Here are the specifics, we hope to see you there!
Event locations:
Saturday, May 5, 11:00 am – 5:00 pm, Station Park, 200 North Station Parkway, Farmington
Wednesday, May 9, 11:00 am – 5:00 pm, City Creek, 135 East 100 South, Salt Lake City
Saturday, May 12, 11:00 am – 5:00 pm, Bangerter Crossing, 125 East 13800 South, Draper

Free Educational Sessions available at all locations:
Celiac 101, 12:00 pm and 3:00 pm – For those who have questions about celiac disease and what a diagnosis means, Harmons dietitians will provide information on the progression of celiac disease, the importance of eating a gluten-free diet for life, and choices for nutritious foods that are gluten free.

Well-Balanced Gluten Free, 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm – Maintaining a well-balanced gluten-free diet can be confusing and time-consuming. Harmons’ dietitians will teach about gluten-free foods that are nutritious and taste delicious. Attendees will learn about special nutritional considerations on a gluten-free diet and how to meet nutrient needs.

Cooking Demonstrations
1:00 pm and 3:00 pm
Harmons’ Cooking School Chefs will demonstrate and provide tastings of delicious gluten-free recipes, and answer questions about cooking techniques and ingredients. One of Harmons’ dietitians will also be available to answer nutrition questions.

Cooking Classes:
Gluten-Free Baking  $35
Almost everyone loves a great apple pie, a warm apple crisp and a crunchy pizza crust, but not everyone tolerates wheat flour, a common ingredient. Harmons has worked up proven and easy-to-make recipes. Come hungry. You’ll eat well. MENU: Apple pie, apple crisp, pizza with red sauce, plus lots of toppings.

Station Park Saturday, May 5, 4:30 pm
Register Online

Bangerter Crossing Saturday, May 12, 4:30 pm
Register Online

Gluten Free Cooking  $40
Are you struggling to come up with meals for your gluten-free family? Learn how to cook healthy gluten-free meals with Harmons’ chef and dietitian.

City Creek Wednesday, May 9, 5:30 pm
Register Online

Dave, Gluten Free Advocate

A new study, Gluten Contamination of Grains, Seeds, and Flours in the United States: A Pilot Study, has raised some uncomfortable questions about our gluten free labeling standards in the United States. Let me clarify by saying that soy beans do not naturally contain gluten, but soy beans are commonly grown in rotation with wheat crops. This means that the farmers who grow them use the same fields for both wheat and soy, as well as the same equipment to harvest, process and transport them.

In the study by Tricia Thompson, MS, RD, Anne Roland Lee, MSEd, RD, LD and Thomas Grace, they tried to assess the potential for gluten contamination in single ingredient grains, seeds, and flours considered inherently gluten free but not labeled as “gluten free”. They found that 32% of the samples tested contained more than 20ppm (parts per million) of gluten, with the worst offender containing 2,925ppm. Fifty-nine percent of the products tested did contain less than 5ppm, which is considered safe for celiac sufferers. In fact, anything less than 20ppm is considered to be safe.

So, are you wondering where do we go from here? Under the current FDA labeling proposal, any manufacturer who does not test their products for gluten but chooses to label their product as gluten free must state that all foods of that type are gluten free. But, this study has found that the statement is false and could be leading people to unknowingly consume gluten from foods that they thought were safe.

The only advice I have is to buy as many products as possible with the “Certified Gluten Free” label. That way you know that product has been tested and is considered to be safe for people with celiacs.

Dave, Gluten Free Advocate

Summer is almost here, and like the rest of you I have been itching for some nice weather to barbecue with. I believe that the nice weather is finally here, and so with that said I want to tell you about one of my favorite barbecue sauces. Sweet Baby Ray’s gourmet sauces, where the slogan is “The sauce is the boss”. I was very excited to find out that this sauce was gluten free, because this was an item that I actually used before I found out that I had celiac’s and had to go gluten free. Anyone on the gluten free diet knows what a big deal it is to be able to enjoy something from your past since you have to completely rethink the way you live. I hope you enjoy this fine gourmet barbecue sauce as much as I do.

Dave, Gluten Free Advocate

I would like to tell you about a new seasoning blend that I happened to come across while walking down the spice aisle the other day – Chef Paul Prudhomme’s Magic Seasoning Blends. We carry four varieties: Blackened Redfish Magic, Meat Magic, Poultry Magic, and Seafood Magic. I have tried all four varieties and have to say my favorites are the Blackened Redfish and the Meat, but the other two are very good and worth buying as well. The best thing about these seasonings is that they say gluten free right on the bottle so there is no need to worry or wonder. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

Dave, Gluten Free Advocate

Just a reminder with the warm weather coming, and everyone being more active, not all sports drinks are gluten free. Gatorade claims on their website that all of their flavors are gluten free (http://wardmulroy.com/gatorade/DOCS/1/content(9).html#ans20). However, not all PowerAde flavors are gluten free – I learned that one the hard way last summer. So, if you want a sports drink that isn’t Gatorade this summer, be diligent and read the label before you buy it.

Dave, Gluten Free Advocate

This week I want to tell you about a new item, Krusteaz gluten free waffles which are sold on our freezer aisle. These waffles come out of the toaster crispy and delicious. Best of all, they are good for you – they are low in cholesterol, saturated fat, and they are made with whole grain. My kids love them and so do I because the price tag is about half that of any other gluten free waffle I have found.

Dave, Gluten Free Advocate

Did you know that if you have celiac disease your trip to the grocery store may actually be tax deductible? Here are some basic instructions to get you started:

• Obtain an official diagnosis from your doctor in writing that you have celiac disease. Without that you cannot claim a tax deduction
• Save all your records of gluten free purchases, including grocery receipts and canceled checks. Then compile a list of the regular cost of all the gluten free items you’ve bought. For example, if regular wheat flour costs $1.99 and your gluten free flour costs $3.99, then you can only claim the difference of $2.00 between the two prices.
• Note that in order to claim a tax deduction for medical expenses (including any gluten-free food purchases), your expenditures must exceed 7.5 percent of your adjusted gross income, minus any insurance reimbursements. For example, if you have an adjusted gross income of $50,000 a year, then your total medical expenditures must exceed $3,750 in order to claim a tax deduction and use the gluten-free food expenses.
• Try using your insurance’s flexible spending account. If you have medical coverage and likely cannot claim a tax deduction for the cost of your gluten free food, your employer’s Flexible Spending Plan may allow reimbursement for the cost of gluten free food.
• Be persistent if you’re researching whether your Flexible Spending Plan will cover the cost of gluten free foods. Your human resources department may not know if the expenses are covered. Contact the provider if necessary until you get a definite answer from someone whether you can get reimbursed for your gluten-free food.

This will take some effort to accomplish. In case you are audited, you will have to keep very detailed records of what you have purchased.

I am not a licensed accountant, so please talk to your accountant or tax professional to verify the information listed here before submitting any tax deductions to the IRS.

Dave, Gluten Free Advocate

I have some good news if you like tortillas. Did you know that all of Mission’s corn tortilla products are gluten free? So, if you have missed quesadillas, burritos, or enchiladas, you can now enjoy them again. Most Mission packages I have looked at do not say gluten free on their label, but their website states, “We make our fresh corn tortillas for imaginative people dedicated to bringing together incredible flavors and ingredients from around the world. Made with 100% Whole Grain corn and deliver superior taste and texture. Available in popular weights (ounces per dozen) and four colors. All Mission® corn tortilla products are Gluten-Free, 0 grams trans-fat per serving and shelf stable.”[1] For more information and some great recipes visit http://www.missionfoodsfsc.com/ or their Frequently Asked Questions page for gluten free and other nutritional information.