Gluten-free restaurants

Stamford (WTNH) - Many people with allergies have to be careful when they dine out. Now there's an effort underway to help restaurants expand their menu to include gluten-free dishes.

Chef Claudio Santander is among a growing number of restauranteurs offering gluten-free food on his menu.

"Today I'm going to make gluten-free pasta with shrimp," Chef Santander said. "This is brown rice penne and gluten-free. It's also wheat free."

A gluten-free diet does not contain wheat, barley, rye and other related grains. They can cause a severe allergic reaction for people who are food sensitive.

"They need a place like this to enjoy the food with family and with friends," Chef Santander said.

Instead of spices Chef Santander uses a gluten-free soup base. And cross contamination is a big concern.

"We use this part for the gluten-free and this part is gluten free," Chef Santander said.

There's also gluten-free pizza on the menu at Frascati Restaurant and Pizza in Stamford.

"We use one oven for the gluten-free and one oven for the regular pizza," Chef Santander said.

This alternative food is for people hungry for options.

"You hear about children having allergies, you hear about adults having allergies, having to eat differently," said Mariette Kammerer from Kmar Educational Services.

Kmar Educational Services is helping restaurants fill that portion, and in this tight economy it could serve up more business.

"It's all about educating the business owner, the chefs within the restaurants how to shop differently. I don't even want to use the word substitute, new ways of working with different products and make it delicious and focusing on the health as well," Kammerer said.

And that is appealing to people like Karen Suppies.

"Last February, I decided to go on a gluten free diet, not have wheat products or soy and I found that over a three to four month period that I felt better and that I actually lost weight," Karen said.

For more information, please visit yourlifeprogressguide.com