Dining Out Tips:

Now you are a guest in someone’s home, a restaurant or you are traveling, eating foods outside of your safe zone can be an emotional part of your lifestyle transition.

At a Friends Home
Most likely your friend is aware of your dietary needs but never assume they know what to do

Find out what you can bring
Offer to bring an appetizer a dessert, salad, side dish, so you will always have something safe to eat. Have a light snack before you go in case there is any question about the food you will eat and it helps to prevent cheating, which is not an option.

Find out what is being served
Ask if you could help with prep & assembly of the dish when you arrive so that you and your friend feel comfortable with how things are prepared.

Find out ingredients used in preparation, Communal items are a no no (butter, jar condiments, baking powder, baking soda, sugar bowl, salt bowl) These are gluten free until they come in contact with a contaminated knife fork or spoon

I have a friend who reads all labels and calls with questions before she starts and leaves the items of question on the counter for me to inspect when I arrive.

The first time you venture out you may feel embarrassed and self conscious know that your friends care about you and your health. This is about maintaining your health not saving face

Restaurant Dining Tips

Find out where you are dining
Go on line to look at the menu

Call ahead,
Make an early reservation; first of the evening if possible this is the less busy time for the kitchen

Speak directly with the chef
Call  in the afternoon, This is a good time they are usually prepping for dinner and the lunch rush is over. Never call at peak times, (Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner) and expect to speak with the Chef.

Tell the chef you have Celiac Disease,
You are on a gluten free diet which prevents you from eating anything made with wheat, barley, rye and oats, anything with bread, bread crumbs, flour, ask if they make their own stock for soups. If they do, check if they flour the bones for flavor. If they use commercial stock check for wheat gluten, let them know ingesting gluten in any amount can make you very ill and ask them if they are able to accommodate you by preparing gluten free meal. Let him know that there are many items that you can have that are on their menu. Preparing it safely is the largest challenge. Changing gloves before preparing a gluten free meal; prepare items on a clean surface that has not been used for other gluten containing items. Prepare salads in clean bowl use clean utensils. Grilled items please scrap the grill before use. Please use clean utensils for turning and serving my foods.

Carry a dining card and let them know you will be giving them one and it has direction to help with safe preparation of your meal. Let them know that you will have the server alert them upon your arrival. Hopefully the server will be aware of your situation before you arrive, if not inform them as you did the Chef, give the dining card and ask them to read it then pass it on to the chef.

Even if the restaurant has a gluten free menu never assume anything it is the preparation of the item is just as important as it being gluten free.

All this sounds over whelming, and it can be until you do it a few times, tell them that you are nervous and new at this and how you appreciate their efforts to prepare you a safe meal.