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Celiac.com 11/04/2023 - Are you a gluten-free traveler looking to explore the beautiful landscapes and vibrant cities of Australia? Good news: you can embark on a worry-free adventure Down Under while savoring delicious gluten-free cuisine. In this guide, we'll show you how to make the most of your gluten-free journey in Australia, from planning your flights to dining at safe restaurants and ensuring you have gluten-free snacks at the ready. Booking a Gluten-Free Meal on Your Flight When booking your flight to Australia, it's essential to plan ahead for your gluten-free meals during the journey. Several major airlines, including Qantas, Virgin Australia, United Airlines, American Airlines, and Delta Air Lines, offer gluten-free meal options. During the booking process, look for the dietary preference section, and select "gluten-free" or "GF" to request your special meal. Remember to confirm your gluten-free meal when you check in for your flight and again when you board. Airlines take your dietary requirements seriously, so don't hesitate to communicate your needs. Having a gluten-free meal prepared on the flight is the first step to a successful trip. Booking Gluten-Friendly Hotels and Vacation Rentals in Australia Whether you prefer the comforts of a hotel or the homely ambiance of a vacation rental, Australia offers various gluten-friendly accommodation options. You can use popular apps like Booking.com, Expedia, TripAdvisor, to find hotels, and Booking.com, Airbnb, Vrbo, and HomeToGo to find suitable vacation home rentals. On these platforms, you'll often find property descriptions that mention gluten-free amenities or nearby gluten-free dining options. Additionally, you can read reviews from previous guests to gain insights into the accommodation's gluten-free friendliness. The Advantages of Staying in Vacation Rentals vs. Hotels Opting for vacation rentals can be a great choice for gluten-free travelers. With a kitchen at your disposal, you can prepare your meals with ease, ensuring they meet your dietary needs. Use the same booking apps mentioned earlier to discover vacation rentals equipped with full kitchens. This way, you'll have a home away from home where you can comfortably manage your gluten-free diet. How to Find Gluten-Safe Restaurants and Order Gluten-Free Food In Australia, finding gluten-safe restaurants is a breeze. Use apps like TripAdvisor and Yelp to locate highly-rated gluten-friendly eateries and read reviews from other gluten-free travelers. Additionally, Google and Bing's search engines can help you discover gluten-free hotspots and check their menus online. Many popular restaurant chains in Australia offer gluten-free menus or options. Chains like Grill'd, Mad Mex, and Nando's have embraced the gluten-free trend, so you can dine out without concern. Don't forget to communicate your dietary requirements to the staff to ensure a safe and delicious meal. 10 Australian Restaurant Chains that Offer a Gluten-Free Menu: Grill'd - Grill'd is a popular burger chain in Australia, known for its gluten-free bun options and delicious, customizable burgers. Mad Mex - Mad Mex serves up Mexican-inspired cuisine with a wide range of gluten-free menu items, including tacos and burritos. Nando's - Nando's offers a tasty selection of flame-grilled chicken dishes and sides, with clearly marked gluten-free options. Schnitz - Schnitz specializes in schnitzels and offers gluten-free coating options for their mouthwatering chicken and beef dishes. Hog's Breath Cafe - Hog's Breath Cafe is famous for its prime rib steaks and gluten-free menu items, ensuring a hearty dining experience. Hudsons Coffee - Hudsons Coffee provides a range of gluten-free sandwiches, snacks, and baked goods to complement their coffee and beverage offerings. Pizza Capers - Pizza Capers offers gluten-free pizza bases and a variety of gourmet pizza options to satisfy gluten-free pizza lovers. Outback Jacks Bar & Grill - Outback Jacks features gluten-free steak and ribs, providing a hearty dining experience in the Australian Outback. La Porchetta - La Porchetta serves up Italian cuisine, including gluten-free pizza and pasta dishes, perfect for Italian food enthusiasts. Zambrero - Zambrero offers a range of Mexican-inspired dishes, including gluten-free burritos and bowls with fresh, healthy ingredients. These restaurant chains in Australia cater to gluten-free diners, ensuring you can enjoy a variety of delicious meals while adhering to your dietary needs. How to Find Gluten-Free Foods in Australian Grocery Stores Australia boasts a variety of supermarket chains that carry gluten-free products. Major stores like Coles, Woolworths, and Aldi offer dedicated gluten-free sections where you can find a wide range of gluten-free foods. Explore the aisles and discover gluten-free bread, pasta, snacks, and more to stock up during your travels. 10 Supermarket Chains in Australia that Sell Gluten-Free Foods: Woolworths - Woolworths is one of Australia's largest supermarket chains, offering a wide range of groceries, fresh produce, and household goods. Coles - Coles is another major Australian supermarket known for its extensive product selection, including fresh foods and household items. Aldi - Aldi is a discount supermarket chain with a focus on affordability and a unique shopping experience. IGA (Independent Grocers of Australia) - IGA stores are independently owned and offer a diverse range of products, catering to local communities. Foodland - Foodland is a South Australian supermarket chain known for its commitment to supporting local producers and providing fresh produce. Harris Farm Markets - Harris Farm Markets is a supermarket chain specializing in fresh produce, groceries, and specialty foods. SPAR - SPAR is a global supermarket brand with a presence in Australia, offering a range of products and competitive prices. Drakes Supermarkets - Drakes Supermarkets is a family-owned chain known for its commitment to local communities and fresh food. Ritchies IGA - Ritchies IGA is an independent grocery chain with a focus on quality products and community support. Friendly Grocer - Friendly Grocer is a convenience store and supermarket chain offering essential products with a friendly touch. Top Australian Gluten-Free Food Brands: Orgran - Orgran is a leading brand in gluten-free foods, offering a wide range of products, including pasta, breakfast cereals, and baking mixes. Simply Wize - Simply Wize provides a variety of gluten-free products, including snacks, crackers, and baking ingredients. Sanitarium - Sanitarium offers gluten-free breakfast options like Weet-Bix Gluten Free and So Good almond milk. Macro Wholefoods Market (Woolworths brand) - Macro Wholefoods Market, available at Woolworths, offers a range of gluten-free products, including snacks and pantry staples. Freedom Foods - Freedom Foods specializes in allergen-friendly foods, with a focus on gluten-free cereals, snacks, and dairy alternatives. Well & Good - Well & Good produces gluten-free baking mixes and pantry essentials for those with dietary restrictions. Springhill Farm - Springhill Farm offers gluten-free, artisanal baked goods, including slices, cookies, and cakes. Kez's Kitchen - Kez's Kitchen provides a range of gluten-free cookies, cereal bars, and other baked treats. Table of Plenty - Table of Plenty offers gluten-free muesli, rice cakes, and snacking options for health-conscious consumers. The Importance of Packing Gluten-Free Snacks and Sandwiches While Traveling For extra peace of mind, pack gluten-free snacks and sandwiches for your journey. This is especially vital for your plane flights to and from Australia and any long road trips. Portable options like gluten-free granola bars, rice cakes, and pre-made sandwiches ensure you have safe, convenient meals whenever you need them. With these tips and the convenience of modern apps and search engines, your gluten-free adventure in Australia can be enjoyable, stress-free, and filled with culinary delights. Enjoy your travels with confidence, exploring the Land Down Under one gluten-free bite at a time!

Celiac.com 10/12/2023 - Celiac disease is a chronic, inflammatory disease triggered by the consumption of gluten-containing foods. Early diagnosis and proper management with a gluten-free diet can reduce its impact on patients' quality of life. People with a family history of celiac disease are at a higher risk, making it crucial to actively identify cases within this group. A new study conducted by a team of researchers in Australia offers new insight into rates of celiac disease, particularly among first-degree relatives of individuals with the condition. The research team included Richard Muir, Anuj Sehgal, Jason A Tye‐Din and A James M Daveson. They are variously affiliated with The Wesley Hospital, Brisbane, QLD; St Andrew's War Memorial Hospital, Brisbane, QLD; the Wesley Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD; The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, VIC; The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, VIC; and The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD. Celiac Disease Affects Approximately 1.4% of People Globally Their research found that celiac disease affects approximately 1.4% of both the global and Australian populations. The study, conducted at the Wesley Research Institute in Brisbane, targeted first-degree relatives of individuals already diagnosed with celiac disease. These relatives were invited to participate in the research, and the study involved genetic testing for celiac disease risk alleles (HLA‐DQ2/8/7 polymerase chain reaction genotyping) and serological tests to detect specific antibodies related to celiac disease. Key findings from the study include: High Celiac Disease Susceptibility Among the participants, 86% had celiac disease susceptibility haplotypes, with 50% of children and 53% of adults carrying high-risk celiac-associated genotypes. Serology Results Sixteen individuals with susceptibility haplotypes tested positive for serological markers associated with celiac disease. Biopsy Confirmation Small bowel biopsies were performed on individuals with positive serological results, confirming celiac disease in seven children and two adults who had high-risk alleles. Celiac Disease Prevalence Among Child First-Degree Relatives Between 11% and 14% Among child first-degree relatives, the estimated rates of celiac disease was 11%, rising to 14% among those with celiac disease susceptibility haplotypes. In contrast, only 1.4% of adult first-degree relatives were confirmed to have celiac disease. These findings highlight the importance of active case finding, especially among first-degree relatives of individuals diagnosed with celiac disease. Such screening can lead to early diagnosis and timely intervention, improving the quality of life and health for celiacs. However, the study also acknowledges limitations, including the fact that not all individuals with positive serological results underwent small bowel biopsies. Additionally, the research was conducted at a single center, and a non-first-degree relatives group was not included for comparison. Overall, the study's results support international guidelines recommending active case finding among first-degree relatives of individuals with celiac disease. Read more in The Medical Journal Of Australia

Celiac.com 05/09/2019 - My Kitchen Rules show finalist, Scott Gooding, is not a household name in the U.S. However, with a bit of luck, his new, Good Place, health-centered free-from eateries are fast becoming a household word in Australia. Everything on the Good Place menu is gluten and soy free, and most items are low in carbs and sugar. The restaurant is slated to debut locations in Blacktown and Central Park in Sydney, and Buddina and Surfers Paradise in Queensland. Gooding’s Sydney South restaurant is now open at Westfield Miranda. Open 24 hours a day, every day, the restaurant features breakfast lunch and dinner. Dishes include a Kakadu Smoothie Bowl with coconut cream, MCT oil, Kakadu plum and peanut butter, and the pesto omelette – with chargrilled greens. Dinner items include a vegan curry, tender ox cheeks in a sticky sauce, with chargrilled greens, and a 12-hour slow-cooked lamb with roast potatoes and Café de Paris butter. For the sweet tooth, The Good Place features semi-freddo made with raspberries, dark chocolate, coconut, macadamia and coconut kefir, and Raspberry Floater, a house-made chocolate ice cream floated in hemp organic kombucha. For those of drinking age, they offer numerous "health-conscious" cocktails, and certified organic wines on offer. Good Place also goes the extra mile, and sources all their produce in a sustainable and ethical way, when possible. Learn more about The Good Place at thebrag.com

Celiac.com 06/20/2018 - Currently, the only way to manage celiac disease is to eliminate gluten from the diet. That could be set to change as clinical trials begin in Australia for a new vaccine that aims to switch off the immune response to gluten. The trials are set to begin at Australia’s University of the Sunshine Coast Clinical Trials Centre. The vaccine is designed to allow people with celiac disease to consume gluten with no adverse effects. A successful vaccine could be the beginning of the end for the gluten-free diet as the only currently viable treatment for celiac disease. That could be a massive breakthrough for people with celiac disease. USC’s Clinical Trials Centre Director Lucas Litewka said trial participants would receive an injection of the vaccine twice a week for seven weeks. The trials will be conducted alongside gastroenterologist Dr. James Daveson, who called the vaccine “a very exciting potential new therapy that has been undergoing clinical trials for several years now.” Dr. Daveson said the investigational vaccine might potentially restore gluten tolerance to people with celiac disease.The trial is open to adults between the ages of 18 and 70 who have clinically diagnosed celiac disease, and have followed a strict gluten-free diet for at least 12 months. Anyone interested in participating can go to www.joinourtrials.com. Read more at the website for Australia’s University of the Sunshine Coast Clinical Trials Centre. Source: FoodProcessing.com.au

Celiac.com 04/05/2017 - To mark the start of Coeliac Awareness Week, Coeliac Australia and Nestlé Professional have launched Gluten Free Online Training – an interactive learning resource for foodservice professionals looking to expand their understanding of gluten free food practice throughout the hospitality industry. Under the guidance of Australian chef and author Tobie Puttock, the project will train up to 30,000 students at all TAFEs and culinary institutes in the protocols for gluten-free food preparation and service. People who successfully complete the training earn a Certificate of Achievement, which covers them for three years under Coeliac Australia's Gluten Free Standard for Foodservice Providers. Cathy Di Bella, special projects officer at Coeliac Australia, says training in safe gluten-free food prep and handling practices is a huge stepping stone to meet the future needs of the foodservice industry. Karen Kingham, dietitian and brand nutritionist at Nestlé Professional, says that the online training is intended to help people working in foodservice to become familiar with gluten-free customer and prep and server issues. The goal is to promote gluten-free awareness and protocols to culinary and food industry workers, to benefit them, the industry, and its patrons. "As most of us know celiac disease is real and symptoms are easily triggered, and I believe this should be treated the same as someone with perhaps a peanut allergy, and therefore food handling is of the utmost importance," said Puttock. It's good to see such influential figures in the food industry bringing such seriousness and professionalism to the preparation and handling of gluten-free foods. Stay tuned for more on this and other gluten-free stories. For more information: Australia's Gluten Free Online Training.