We often explain to people that gluten-free products can taste a little bit different because we are all so used to the taste of wheat in everything we eat. Alternatives such as rice, millet, sorghum and bean flours do have a subtle flavor of their own,” Fulton says. “Our official taster is my husband, who is not gluten-free and who loves baked treats. When he gives it a thumbs-up, we know we have successfully recreated the original.” While many restaurants and bakeries in town now offer gluten-free selections, Gourmet Girls Go Gluten Free willopen Tucson’s only completely glutenfree bakery and bistro at 5845 North Oracle Road, in October.

If you’re going gluten-free, but don’t wanna go it alone, don’t worry! Join the Meetup Group, Living Gluten Free in Tucson and Southern Arizona,
(Meetup.com/GFinAZ) and meet like-minded diners for monthly meals, educational events and other outings. The Southern Arizona Celiac Support Group also offers easy ways to connect with your gluten-free neighbors in Tucson—they organize regular lunch and dinner gatherings as well as a gluten-free cooking class. For details, visit SouthernArizonaCeliacSupport.org or call 520-219-7076.

Happily, an ever-increasing stack of restaurants and resources for gluten-free Tucsonans mean they can say “Adios, rice cakes—hello, gluten-free
pizza!” “

Catharine Sutherland, MS, RYT, is a gerontologist and nationally registered yoga instructor. She specializes in enriching the lives of elders through creative recreation and holistic wellness ~ scrumptious cooking and joyful eating included! For more information, please contact her at
[email protected].