🌟 Gluten Free At The Hawker Center?

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The Challenges of Finding Gluten-Free Food at a Hawker Center

It is Celiac & Gluten Awareness Month!

Have you joined our free mini-courses yet? Links are below!

A common question in our Facebook support group is: "What can I eat at a Hawker Center in Singapore if I'm gluten-free?" Let's dive into the challenges and some tips for navigating these vibrant food hubs.

The Challenges

1. Cross-Contamination

One major issue at hawker centers is cross-contamination. The stalls are small, with shared equipment, utensils, woks, and limited counter space. It's very easy for gluten to contaminate what could otherwise be gluten-free food.

For example, if wheat noodles are cooked in the same water as rice noodles, the rice noodles will end up with significant gluten contamination. Gluten is water-soluble, so boiling water that has been used for wheat noodles can transfer gluten to rice noodles.

2. Knowledge

The vendors, often referred to as aunties and uncles, may not be familiar with gluten. Think back to before you were diagnosed and how little you knew about gluten and its hiding places. The vendors might not know where gluten hides or the medical issues it causes.

Additionally, many ingredients at hawker centers are commercially prepared or come in bulk, like sauces, which might not have clear ingredient or cross-contamination information.

3. Language Barriers

Most information about gluten-free living is in English. Many hawker center vendors speak English as a second language and might not fully understand your requests or concerns about gluten.

Tips for Finding Gluten-Free Food

1. Build Relationships

Visit the same stalls regularly to establish a relationship with the vendors. Over time, they’ll get to know you and your needs, making it easier to get clear answers about ingredients and preparation methods.

2. Do Your Research

Identify dishes that are naturally gluten-free or can be easily modified. Here are some options that might be safer:

• Satay

• Chicken rice (without the sauce)

• Mango sticky rice

• Chicken wings

• Laksa (ensure it only has rice noodles)

Remember to always ask about ingredients and preparation methods to avoid cross-contamination.

Want to learn more?
Take one of our mini-courses!

Hidden Gluten & Ingredients Mini Course

Ready to become a gluten-label detective? Join our free Hidden Gluten and Ingredients class today. Click below to sign up and embark on your journey to becoming a master at spotting gluten in ingredient labels. Let's dive in and decode those labels together!

So, what are you waiting for? Sign up for our hidden gluten and ingredients course today, and let's unravel the mysteries of gluten together. See you there!

Cross Contamination Solutions Mini Course

Are you ready to conquer gluten contamination? In our mini course, we cover how to remove gluten, cross contamination hotspots, and how to eliminate potential contamination from crumbs, residue, airborne flour, and immersion.

So, what are you waiting for? Sign up for Cross Contamination Solutions today, and let's unravel the mysteries of gluten together. See you there!

To learn more about cross contamination please join the Cross Contamination Solutions Mini Course.

Stay tuned for more helpful tips coming your way soon!

Links For You

Free Mini Courses During Celiac Awareness Month!

✻ Cross Contamination Solutions Mini Course

✻ Hidden Gluten & Ingredients Mini Course

✻ The Problem With Gluten Mini Course

✻ What Is Gluten Mini Course

✻ Read All Celiac & Gluten Awareness Month Posts

✻ Newsletter/Daily Tip

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