With Celiac Disease, dining out can be both stressful and
scary. This is especially true after first being diagnosed. However, if you take the right precautions you
can enjoy eating out without endangering your health. As more people are being diagnosed with Celiac
Disease more restaurants are offering gluten free options, and they are doing a
better job of teaching their staff about the special requirements of gluten
free diners.
Regardless, it is still important to remember these rules
when going out on the town…
1.
Do your work ahead of time
-
Call the restaurant on the day that you are planning
to dine there and ask if they are able to accommodate a gluten free meal.
2.
When you get to the restaurant ask to speak to a
manager especially if your server doesn’t seem to understand what you are
asking of them or if they are overwhelmed with all of their other tables.
3.
Use powerful Phrases
-
Use red
flag terms like “Disease” and “Severe Allergy”
-
For example, while ordering say I have a severe
allergy to gluten or I have Celiac Disease and can NOT consume any gluten.
4.
Order Plain! *This is the most important rule when dining
outside of your house!*
-
If you
are not sure what is in the sauces, marinades, etc. just order your meal plain.
-
You can also bring your own seasonings! Such as, your own soy sauce, favorite GF salad
dressing, etc.
5.
Be very specific when ordering!
6.
Examine your plate carefully before
taking your first bite.
-
I went to a restaurant shortly after being
diagnosed with Celiac Disease and ordered from their gluten free menu and
followed all of the rules I have listed above and still ended up getting gluten
on my plate and getting terribly ill.
I did not examine my plate! There was gluten filled processed rice hidden under
my grilled piece of fish. Needless to
say I will never forget this rule again!
7.
Don’t shoot the messenger
-
If your
meal comes out incorrect don’t lose your cool or get upset, just politely tell
them again your special requests and have them prepare a whole new meal for
you.
-
My advice to you would be to KEEP the plate at
your table and say I am going to keep this plate here with me until you bring me
my new correct dinner.
8.
Say NO to
Buffets
-
Tongs
travel, A LOT! A buffet is a huge risk for cross contamination and I would
recommend avoiding them.
I sure do miss having a beer out at dinner with my husband,
but have been trying out some new potato vodka mixed drinks and lots of wine! Bonefish
in my hometown has Red Bridge and so does the bar, Half pints!
My favorite Gluten Free Restaurants to Date
1.
Legal Seafoods
-
They even have Gluten Free Dinner Rolls!
2.
Indian Restaurants are always a safe bet. But NO
Naan =(
3.
Bonefish Grill
4.
Red Robin, the gluten free hamburger bun is
delicious!
5.
Chipotle. I order the Burrito bowl with no
cheese and no lettuce. Make sure you have them change their gloves before they
prepare your bowl.
6.
Outback Steakhouse- A Great GF menu just make
sure your examine your plate before eating!
7.
PF Changs
8.
Wendys- If I am in a HUGE pinch for a quick
lunch, I will go to Wendys and order their small chili.
9.
Chick Fil A- They actually have a separate deep
fryer for their fries and their chicken so their French fries are gluten free!
10.
Seasons Pizza- They have a gluten free pizza
crust IN a pan that they make separately so there is no cross contamination.
11.
Liberatore’s- A local Baltimore Italian
Restaurant. They do not have a gluten free menu but they are very knowledgeable.
I always order the grilled salmon and risotto. Delicious!
I have found some amazing 100%
gluten free restaurants in the Baltimore area! I love eating there because you don’t
have to worry about anything and the food is delicious!
1.
Meet 27/Sweet 27, Baltimore, MD
2.
One Dish Cuisine, Ellicott City, MD
I also love the app for my i-phone, find me gluten free. It
is very helpful at steering you towards restaurants that have a gluten free
menu!
Happy Monday!
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