Following a gluten-free diet has its costs you have to give up many of your favourite foods and their substitutes are often more expensive.
It can be intimidating for newcomers who have to change personal habits, says Margaret Dron, founder of this Sundays Gluten-Free Expo at the Vancouver Convention Centre.
Customers want to know what is the next step, she says.
The expo is designed to introduce people to new products, provide informational workshops, and ease anxieties for those who have recently discovered they are gluten intolerant. There are more than 100 booths where you can talk to vendors about products and labelling.
Gluten-free customers have 90 per cent loyalty to products, she said, because it can get expensive to test and try new products.
The panel of speakers includes Sheila Fetter and Kathy Smart. Fetter is the dietician for Choices Markets, which is a title sponsor of the expo, and is an expert in food labels and labelling laws. Smart is the chef on the worlds first gluten free and vegetarian TV show, Live the Smart Way.
Tickets are $9 online or $12 at the door on Jan. 13. With free admission for kids under 10, it is perfect for families to learn together.
Kids have the pickiest palate, says Dron.
At the expo, children can sample different foods and see which one they like.
Try the recipe for Cloud 9's Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies.
