Avoiding cross contamination in the kitchen is one of the main care that a person with celiac disease should have. For its part, cross contamination occurs when food is contaminated by foreign substances . Likewise, it is important to know that this can be caused by different causes, such as substances in the environment, contaminated surfaces or poor hygiene when handling food.
On the other hand, celiac disease alters the absorption of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that food has . In the same way, one of the consequences in people with celiac disease is that they are more sensitive to gluten and cross contamination . Therefore, prevention measures should be greater both when cooking and when preserving food.
Personal hygiene to avoid cross contamination
The first tip to consider to avoid cross contamination wherever you go is to maintain neat and neat personal hygiene . No matter where you are, your hands are the ones who always bring your food to your mouth, so keep them (nails included) completely clean.
Despite this, not only your hands are important: your personal hygiene in general is. That is, when you are about to eat, the food is exposed close to your body; Therefore, you must take care of your cleanliness in its entirety to avoid risks, both yours and those around you.
The order at the table matters if you are celiac
Sharing the table with someone is an intimate moment where you can bring a bowl of salad or fill a glass with water to another person. However, you should ideally avoid these practices. Do not share your cutlery, do not allow someone else to serve your food and instead, do it yourself to be sure of the contact that your food has with the outside.
In the same way, you can take care of your health even more by reserving one side of the table exclusively for yourself. That is, in that place you would have your utensils and food separated for greater security. Remember that if someone else has contact with your food, it could become contaminated.
Tell your loved ones that you are celiac and how they can help you
For some people the care that a person with celiac disease should have may be extreme, but it is because they do not really know the disease. In other words, if you keep your relatives informed about your situation and how to contribute to your care, everything will be easier.
When you share with other people that you are celiac, they can double their hygiene measures and that of the food products they handle. However, when you visit a restaurant, ask about the measures they have to avoid cross contamination and always ask for a gluten-free menu.
The organization serves to prevent cross contamination
When buying food products, it is important that you use reusable bags that you have previously washed and dried and plan your visit to the supermarket before leaving to take the necessary precautions. Also, when you get home, remember to clean the products before putting them away and store them on a separate shelf or space.
It is necessary to prevent your food from coming into contact with any type of substance that can contaminate it. Therefore, you must keep them isolated in individual containers and be the one to handle them. According to Pérez (2020), celiacs do not need to have glasses and plates exclusively for them, but they do need certain utensils such as wooden spoons, in which gluten particles can be stored, or even wooden cutting boards.
Clean your refrigerator frequently to avoid cross contamination
You can have a separate refrigerator, but this is not something that everyone can afford. However, with proper hygiene, you can keep your food in the family refrigerator without fear of cross contamination.
The main rule of thumb for this is to frequently clean the refrigerator with soap and water. In addition, it will be key to keep all the products of your consumption in sealed bags and containers, this in order to avoid contact with other substances that may be inside the refrigerator. It is also important to constantly check that no food spills and, if it does, you should clean it up immediately.
conclusion
Cross contamination is a problem that directly affects people with celiac disease, which is why it is so important to protect yourself as much as possible . However, this may be a topic that many people are unaware of; For this reason, it is necessary to inform your relatives about it in order to have a healthier environment.
Finally, it is important to know that these tips must be adapted to your way of life in a receptive and positive way. Remember that it will always be worth taking care of your health through habits that improve your general stability.
References
Pérez, L. (2020, June 4). Cross contamination: how to avoid it. Retrieved September 24, 2020, from https://celicidad.net/contaminacion-consejos-evitarla/
