Dining Out

With so many restaurants including gluten-free options on their menus, it’s possible to go out with your friends and loved ones and stick with your diet too. The secret is simple… be prepared and here’s how… 

1. Don't go hungry. The hungrier you are, the more likely you are to make a mistake. So eat something beforehand and/or be sure to bring some snacks to munch on while everyone else is filling up on the rolls. A friend of mine keeps individually packaged GF cookies and crackers in her purse.
2. As in theatre, know the show before you go. By that I mean, be familiar with the diet you are on. Whether you are staying away from gluten or grains all together, not only know what foods to avoid, but also where they are likely to be hidden. For example gluten or grain may be hidden in sauces, gravies, dressings, and condiments. So be sure to protect yourself against them.
3. Select a GF2 friendly restaurant. Check with the restaurant in advance to make sure there are menu items you can eat. In addition, you may want to check out one or more of celiac-friendly restaurant directories. Also..l. whether the restaurant is a chain restaurant or a local establishment, many offer gluten-free menus. So be sure to check out their menu online or have one emailed to you beforehand. If you're still not sure whether anything safe is on the menu, call ahead, preferably when the restaurant isn't busy, and speak with the chef or the manager
   
   Note: If you'll be dining at an Italian restaurant, call to ask whether they have gluten-free pastas. Many of them do. If not, ask whether they mind if you brought your own pasta. Many restaurants will be happy to prepare your gluten-free pasta and top it with their own fresh sauce.
   
4. Tell your server you're on a special diet. Advise them that you have dietary restrictions and need to know how the food is prepared. If your server does not understand, ask to speak with the restaurant manager or the chef. Also... consider bringing along a dining card that explain what you can and cannot eat. Cards are available in a wide variety of languages.
5. Select two or three dishes on the menu that look as though they may be safe, then be sure to ask questions. For example, look for simple dishes without coatings or sauces, or with sauces that can be left off. Check out and learn restaurant menu terms that indicate a dish containing gluten. In addition, be sure to always ask your server to tell the chef you cannot have wheat, barley or rye (or any grain for that matter if you are grain free). Ask a lot of questions and never assume anything is gluten-free or grain-free. Even if a menu item looks safe, a chef's secret recipe may include gluten or grains.
6. Be prepared to eat something that isn't your first choice. If nothing on the menu looks safe, ask if the chef if they can sauté’ some plain meat or fish in olive oil or butter and include some steam some vegetables. While it may not be the tastiest meal you ever had, keep in mind that the goal here is to eat food that does not make you feel sick.