It’s the Little (Gluten-Free) Things: Award Winning Mix, Probiotic Help, GF Wine Dinner

Recently a few things have popped up in the celiac/gluten-free world that are worth mentioning: new research on how probiotics can help celiacs, plus Wildfire in Eden Prairie has another gluten-free wine dinner this month.  But we begin with some fun news celebrating innovation in gluten-free foods!

Betty Crocker GF Mixes win Award

Betty Crocker wins Best New Product Award

We knew Betty Crocker was up for a big innovation award.  I blogged about it last February.  Now General Mills-owned Betty Crocker has announced it won the 2010 Edison Best New Product Award for its gluten-free dessert mixes! Foodprocessing.com reported the news on Friday saying the company won specifically in the consumer packaged goods food category.

The article cites General Mills in describing the cake, brownie and cookie mixes:  “The products satisfy gluten-free consumers’ previously unmet desire to find great-tasting, affordable and easy-to-prepare desserts that they can enjoy with their families and friends.” The dessert mixes were unveiled across the country last summer, which I think has increased awareness.  The products were put on the main baking shelves and not hidden in the natural food section.

Congratulations!!  It is great to see General Mills’ bold step in taking on the gluten-free market is paying off.

Prebiotics and Probiotics can help People with Celiac Disease

New research highlighted by celiac.com looked at how prebiotics and probiotics can be a huge help for people with celiac.  The headline alone says “Major Breakthrough: Prebiotics and Probiotics Can Reduce Inflammation and Reduce Symptoms of Celiac Disease”. Pretty bold statement in this research.

“Their study provides strong evidence that various intestinal bacteria in celiac patients can influence inflammation, and that dietary probiotics and prebiotics can help improve the quality of life for patients with celiac and other associated diseases, such as type 1 diabetes and various autoimmune disorders.”

“In the same way the certain foods may contribute to poor health, notes Louis Montaner, D.V.M., M.Sc., D.Phil. Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Leukocyte Biology, ‘others can have positive effects. For people with celiac disease, this opens a line of research into new therapies that may be as accessible as a grocer’s shelf.'” — celiac.com

So does this mean prebiotics and probiotics are the future of treating celiac? Or that if you ingest gluten and you take these pills they’ll alleviate inflammation?  Clearly that needs more research and I don’t believe anyone is recommending that at this point.  However, this research does show there is a benefit, so it might be something to investigate if you’re not already taking them.  Most health/natural food stores should be carrying them.

Gluten-Free Wine Dinner at Wildfire in Eden Prairie

On Thursday, May 27th, Wildfire  in Eden Prairie, Minnesota will have another Gluten-Free Wine Dinner.  The guest speaker is Julie Jones, one of the founders of the Twin Cities chapter of Raising our Celiac Kids.  The one I spoke at last February was sold out, had wonderful food and great people in attendance.  It is totally worth doing.  This meal includes appetizers, two courses and dessert plus a different kind of wine with each course.  Check out the menu here, plus you can reserve your space online by going to the Wildfire website and looking for the Eden Prairie location.  Happy eating!

Tags: award, Betty Crocker, celiac, dessert, gluten-free, prebiotics, probiotics, research, Wildfire