Tailgating 101(Part 2)—Keep the Celiac/Gluten Intolerant Game Day Safe

Tailgating at football games is an age long tradition, especially here in the south, aka home of the SEC. Fans come from far and near to enjoy and participate in huge pre-game parties of various sizes known as tailgating.

For most, game day is eagerly anticipated with the promise of light banter and camaraderie with friends—and just maybe with a few friendly foes. Coolers, grills and makeshift camp sites litter the landscape along with folks clad in pom-poms and spirit garb galore.

Team supporters of all ages from the tiniest arm babies to the oldest cheerleader graze their way through nibbles usually prepared by a whole bunch of friends partying together. Don’t tell anyone I told you this, but beer flows like ice water in paper cups.

For those with Celiac disease or those who are gluten intolerant, the party scene can suddenly look pretty darn dim. The youngest party goers have parents to navigate the gluten infested waters of tailgating for them, but the older ones are pretty much left to their own devices.

Tailgating 101--Keeping Food Safe Pre- and Post Game (Part 1)

Football is a really big deal for those of us living in the southeastern part of the United States. SEC rivalry is fierce and very competitive. Auburn University, home of the 2010 BCS Champions, is in my backyard.

When I came here as an assistant faculty member, I could not believe the electricity that hangs in the air before, during and after an Auburn football. When I first landed on the Plains, I had never seen anything like the spirit of the Auburn family in my entire young life.

Folks would begin staking out “their” tailgating sites, setting up tents and tables several days ahead of time. Game day yielded even more excitement with fans showing up in all sorts of wild spirit gear including simply painting their partially nude bods in funky designs using orange and blue, hopefully washable, paint. Pom poms and noise makers were everywhere. The noise level of the crowd went up in direct proportion to the consumption of alcohol that no one was allowed to consume on campus.

Auburn University became a party zone from early morning on the day of the game until the wee hours of the following morning. Grills, televisions, generators and more were set up, sort of like a home away from home concept. Folks put on elaborate spreads, if for nothing else than to sustain themselves. They might eat two, three, four or more meals on the grounds of “their” tailgating spot depending on game time.

One of the purposes of tailgating, in addition to providing nutritional subsidy, is purely social. Eating, drinking, playing games, talking, laughing and basically having a carefree time are a real draw to the idea of tailgating. But, if one of your group should just happen to eat food that just may not be at its prime, the party can quickly head south.

Here is where I come in.