With each passing day, more and more people around the world are being diagnosed with intolerance to gluten, or Celiac Disease. Gluten is a combination of proteins found in grains such as wheat, barley, and rye. Gluten behaves like glue to hold foods together. The intolerance of gluten results in a range of digestive issues that can be mild to life threatening, and learning to navigate through the abundance of choices available in today’s grocery stores and restaurants can be a nightmare for anyone who now has to read each and every label.
As it turns out, the Italian diet might be the perfect solution to enjoying a gluten-free life. Your immediate response to this statement: pasta is made with wheat, and wheat is filled with gluten; Italians eat pasta–so are you kidding me that an Italian diet is a good choice for a person with Celiac Disease? Ah, but the Italians have cleverly made pasta out of many gluten-free grains for years. Italian cooks have incorporated chickpea and chestnut flour for centuries in both baking and pasta making. Both are naturally gluten free. When corn was introduced to Italy, the Italians were quick to embrace corn flour into their dietary repertoire.
The Italian culture has been well educated over the years about Celiac Disease, and gluten-free foods are found on every menu in every restaurant throughout Italy. It’s actually illegal not to include gluten-free items on the menu. Unfortunately, the States have a long way to go with making the conversion to incorporate gluten-free selections on their menu. This has resulted in a shortage of restaurants who can accommodate someone afflicted with this malady. For those of you who suffer from Celiac Disease, or if you just want to eat a gluten-free diet, Italian restaurants are your best choice.
Meats, poultry, seafood, cheeses, fresh fruits, healthy olive oils, and alternative pastas prove that the selection of gluten-free foods is readily available in the Italian diet. Polenta and risotto are naturally gluten free, and while they are also naturally bland foods, the addition of milk, cream, cheeses, and vegetables can turn them both into wonderfully satisfying meals. Add a fresh salad with a lemon and olive oil vinaigrette and you have a meal anyone would envy. Being gluten-free doesn’t mean that you have to skip pizza or breads completely. There are fabulous alternatives made with other gluten-free grains that make pizza dough and breads highly consumable.
If you are struggling to find a fine dining experience where you won’t feel like the odd-person-out when inquire about the ingredients used to prepare your food, then you should be planning a visit to Christini’s Ristorante Italiano. Call us to make a reservation and discuss your dietary requirements. We are more than happy to make your dining experience stress-free, gluten-free, and judgment-free. Visit Christini’s Ristorante Italiano for an authentic fine dining Orlando experience that you will want to come back and enjoy, time and time again.
