Restaurants 101

After being diagnosed with Celiac Disease, eating out at restaurants can be very intimidating with someone else preparing your food but you can still do it safely as long as you take proper precautions. All restaurants handle food preparation and cross-contamination differently, so you need to make sure that every restaurant you eat at can make your food celiac safe.

Tip #1 - Find Me Gluten Free

Find Me Gluten Free is a great and very useful app that provides a list of restaurants that have gluten-free options in your area. The app is credible and other gluten-free individuals leave reviews which can help your search. You should not solely rely on this app but it is definitely a great guide.

Tip #2 - Preparation

I suggest looking at the menu before choosing any restaurant and calling in advance to make sure it is gluten-free safe. If the host does not sound knowledgeable, don’t be afraid to get the manager on the phone.

Tip #3 - Confirmation

It is understandable that looking at any restaurant in advance might not always be an option. Talk to the server and ask if they are familiar with Celiac Disease. Confirm their knowledge and ensure they will alert the kitchen staff. If they are not familiar, ask to speak to a manager so that you are sure everything will be safe to eat.

1. NOTE: Some food items on the menu might be marked “GF” but you always have to clarify because there might be cross contamination in the kitchen. For example, although french fries are naturally gluten free because they are made out of potatoes, they are commonly cross-contaminated in the fryer. You must always ask if there is a separate or dedicated fryer for the fries. The reason for this is that they might be fried in the same oil as breaded foods which leads to major cross-contamination. The same goes for chips and salsa, always ask if the chips have a separate fryer.

2. NOTE: Some food items on the menu that are not marked “GF” might be because they serve bread with the dish. If you are newly diagnosed I recommend only sticking to “GF” marked items. But, some items are naturally gluten-free if just one item is left off of it. Make sure that any item with gluten is left off the plate, never making contact with your food.

3. REMEMBER: No amount of cross-contamination is safe for someone with Celiac.

Tip #4 - Caution

If you are out to eat with another person make sure to be careful about sharing foods. If they are eating a dish with gluten, they cannot use their utensils to taste your food.

Tip #5 - Clean Up

After the meal is finished, the gluten-eating people should wash their hands before touching anything that you might touch as well.

My Message -

I understand that this process might seem excessive, but it is exactly what needs to be done to ensure you eat a safe meal. It is not embarrassing and you are definitely not a burden because you are being cautious. I struggled with those thoughts for many years, but as I have grown up, I see that it is very important to be in charge of your health and nobody is judging you for being safe. Do not loosen up on the rules because you are embarrassed of making a “scene.” If you are not comfortable with the answers you get at a restaurant, get up and leave. Remember, having Celiac Disease is nothing to be ashamed of and you need to protect yourself.