What’s your relationship with bread, and how did you get there?
It sure seems like bread is a touchy subject these days. Certainly, it comes up as a controversial topic in the media as well as in many people’s personal and social lives. As the health condition of Western society declines, many are redefining their relationship with this staple food. As a result, interpersonal relationships sometimes change in unpredictable ways. Did you know that the words “company,” “companion,” and “companionship” all come from the Latin “cum panis”? This phrase literally means “with bread,” suggesting the central role of sharing bread within close and casual relationships. In English, we use the term “breaking bread” to refer to this sharing of bread, and by extension, other foods, with family and friends. As one of the central foods of Western culture, bread holds special significance on several levels—individual, interpersonal and social.
My Bread Memories
I remember the years when we were struggling with money after fleeing Tehran in the wake of the revolution, leaving behind all of our possessions and starting over with no resources. The feeling of hunger and the comfort that a piece of bread could bring. I remember the intense desire associated with the smell of someone else’s bread while sitting on a park bench. And falling asleep at night dreaming of bread. Of course, we weren’t always without food. I remember how lucky I felt every time my mom would knead and bake bread. She made it fun by making tortoise-shaped loaves. We sometimes kneaded and shaped our own bits of dough, our very own little loaves. Still, to this day, I recall the suspense as the dough rose and the delicious smell as it baked. And finally, the joy of bread, still hot from the oven, with a dab of butter. During those preschool years, I was aware of the discomfort of hunger and the desire for bread, but also of the way my throat seemed to close up when I ate it. In fact, I grew up thinking it was normal for one’s throat to close while eating.
Allergic to wheat?
Then I got tested for food allergies. It turns out I’m allergic to wheat, and many chronic health issues resolved when I removed it. When I have abundant time, it’s fun to experiment with alternatives to “traditional” bread, but over the years, bread has lost its charm. Maybe once or twice a year, I happen to taste some gluten-free bread at a restaurant, and I do enjoy it. But I don’t miss it anymore.
Breaking Bread: Socialization
While for many people around the world, social occasions are almost synonymous with sharing bread, and those who don’t eat bread are strange, I have come to find new ways of enjoying company and sharing food. However, it’s not always easy, and not everyone I come across understands my strangeness.
Breaking up with Bread without Breaking Relationships
If you have health concerns that lead you to change from the dominant model of breaking bread when in the company of others, you may run into some snags. Much the same can happen, by the way, to people who choose not to drink alcohol for health or other reasons. I’m sure I’ll write a post about this someday, too! Every culture is different in the way it handles socialization, food at social events and any difference from the “norm.” However, it is common in Western countries for people who do not consume wheat-based products for health reasons to feel ostracized.
Want to make gluten-free bread?
Many people have health-based reasons not to eat bread at all or to consume only breads that are prepared with gluten-free ingredients. I’ve put together a nutrient-dense cookbook with my favorite recipes, including a number of gluten-free breads and flatbreads.
What about ready-made products?
And for those in need of ready-made options, below are some companies that make tasty gluten-free breads, crackers, baking mixes, tortillas and wraps that are available in the US. Please note that I don’t have an affiliate relationship with any of these brands (or any brand, for that matter): Legit Bread Co, Canyon Bakehouse, Sami’s Bakery, Bread SRSLY, Food for Life Gluten Free, Simple Mills, and Siete Foods.
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