Five-years ago we didn't know what gluten was, but now stores carry a lot of gluten-free products.
Is it a health craze? A diet trend? Not for folks who suffer from Celiac disease. "It was very scary at first, because I thought I wasn't going to eat anything, or I would just have to eat vegetables or fruit the whole time," gluten-sensitive Diane Daby says. Gluten sensitivity and gluten intolerance have become popular topics among dietitians and doctors. "It could be that Celiac disease is occurring more in people, or that maybe doctors are more aware of it and saying 'you need to be tested for it' if they're having some of the symptoms of it," Korie Lown, Hy-Vee's Dietitian said.
Gluten-free items have also become more popular because some think they can be used as for weight loss. While that's true, Lown says it's not the best way to lose weight. But for those who need gluten-free, grocery stores have separate aisles to make it easier, and there are even apps to help grocery shop. "So, there are options to make a gluten- free diet easier. But what about when it comes to dining out? A lot of local restaurants have recently added gluten-free items to their menu." says KTIV's Kayah Gausman. "One of my coworkers, her sister was gluten-free. And she was doing research on Taco del Mar's website, and she's the one that found that they actually had a gluten free menu. And that's how we just started incorporating it,"Lana Casey said.
Taco del Mar has several gluten-free options for customers. Casey says that they have at least a customer a day who asks for their gluten-free options. The gluten-free diet is a change, but it may not be as drastic you think. "There are parts of it you miss, but there are parts that you just have to be careful. But, it's doable," Diane Daby.
