On the occasion of the International Day of Celiac People, celebrated every May 5, the Ministry of Social Development (Mides) received more than 500 copies of a book that presents 101 gluten-free recipes by chef Daniel Guasco. The publication will be delivered to people with celiac disease in a situation of social vulnerability. In addition, INDA reformulated the content of the basket that is given to these people.
Participating in the event, in the city of Rocha, were the Minister of Social Development, Martín Lema; the undersecretary of the portfolio, Andrea Brugman; the director of the National Food Institute (INDA), Ignacio Elgue; the mayor of Rocha, Alejo Umpiérrez; the assistant to the Directorate of the South Region of the State Health Services Administration (ASSE), Gabriela Parallada, and chef Daniel Guasco.
During his speech, Lema highlighted the succession of efforts and articulations that made it possible to include an increase in the value of the content of the basket that INDA gives to celiacs, which increases from 800 to 1,400 pesos.
The Secretary of State highlighted the “extraordinary work” carried out by the team of the aforementioned unit in terms of improving and strengthening care for celiac people who are in a vulnerable situation.
He also explained that the incorporation of more nutritionists to the institution has made it possible to work on the importance of proper nutrition for patients with celiac disease and also to carry out a review of the basket provided to them. According to him, this work concluded in a strengthening in quality and quantity of products.
Regarding the publication on recipes for this population, he declared that it is a contribution to optimize food preparations and comply with the indicated medical treatment. The chief added that the number of beneficiaries receiving food aid has increased. In that sense, he stated that from 2020 to date the number of people who have this benefit has doubled.
The book Are you celiac? 101 gluten-free recipes It will be delivered along with the baskets that will be distributed to Mides users who suffer from the pathology.
Subsequently, different dishes were prepared with gluten-free ingredients. The culinary demonstration took place in the dining room of the María Élida Marquizo Cultural Center. Lema and Guasco participated in the preparation of baked goods.
Reformulation of baskets
Elgue added that the institution planned the purchase of gluten-free food for people who attend the institute’s dining system in Montevideo, as well as for shelters and other Mides programs.
He explained that, in response to the difficulty in accessing this type of food, due to its low availability and high cost, INDA reformulated the contents of the basket, going from providing an assortment of eight foods suitable for celiacs to eleven. The new proposal contains rice, rice flour and pasta, oil, cassava starch, starch and corn flour, among others.
Celiac disease is a pathology that involves intolerance to gluten. The only treatment available is nutritional, through a proper diet. There is no medication that improves it.
