Dining out: Does the mere thought give you an allergic reaction?
You’ve agreed to meet with friends this evening at that trendy new restaurant in town. Great.
Now comes the realization that because of your celiac condition, you’re not sure if you’ll be able to order what’s on the menu. Will your server understand? Will you have to decline the shared appetizer? And please oh please, let’s not call attention to myself in front of my friends.
Sound familiar?
You’re not alone.
For many people on a gluten-free diet, eating out can be a real challenge. But it doesn’t have to be. Here’s what you can do, thanks to advice from someone who’s been in this situation many times.
For starters, the most important step at the restaurant is to identify yourself as someone on a special diet. No need to apologize. Let your server or restaurant manager know you have special diet requirements. You might use phrases such as: ” I’m on a medically required diet. I have severe reaction to wheat, or I have an allergy to wheat and barley. What do you recommend?”
Here’s a tip: avoid words like “autoimmune” or “celiac disease” or “gluten” as the average restaurant manager or server won’t know the meaning of these terms. (Remember, you probably didn’t know what these terms meant until you investigated the disease, so make it easy for those who don’t know.)
It’s OK to ask more questions
It’s perfectly fine to ask specific questions about the menu items. Such as:
- Has the meat/fish been marinated in soy sauce, worscheshire or teriyaki sauce?
- Is the chicken/fish/cutlet dusted with flour before pan-frying?
- Is the oil used for French fries also used to make the chicken nuggets or other breaded products?
- Are there croutons in the salad?
You get the picture. If you don’t know the restaurant’s cooking policies, ask.
More hints for dining out
Take advantage of resources available to you. Get info online, from friends, or from other gluten-free and celiac community forms like this. Here’s what we picked up:
Select the right restaurant.
If given you’re given a choice, opt for the restaurant that offers gluten-free foods. Today that trend is growing, even if the average menu list is limited. Check the restaurant website for nutritional info. Most large chain restaurants have nutritional info and contact info posted online if you need more help.
Dine early or late.
If possible, try the off-peak hours. You’ll feel more comfortable speaking to your server — they’ll have more time to answer your questions — and perhaps they’ll convince the chef to make more allowances for you.
Speak to manager or maitre d’ when you arrive.
What’s important is to get your dietary needs conveyed to the chef. If the server doesn’t seem interested, ask to speak to the manager. Be diplomatic, state your restrictions and ask for recommendations. Being nice works – in life too.
Bring in a snack while you’re waiting.
If your friends order a shared bread, pull out a snack like riceworks® brown rice crisps – a tasty appetizer to whet your appetite. Share your treat. If you saw the movie Sex in the City, one of the main characters, who was petrified of the water at her Mexican resort, brought in her own chocolate puddings to eat at dinner. No problemo.
Call ahead.
Call early before the pressure builds — give the restaurant a heads-up about your gluten allergy. Speak to the manager about your menu questions or suggestions on alternatives.
Order simple dishes.
Yes, it’s a compromise, but you just might end up with a healthier meal. Ask for the sauces on the side or omitted altogether. No one will know.
Thank your server.
It’s amazing how this simple gesture pays off. Leave generous tip for good service, and you’ll be treated even better next time.
Be a repeat customer.
Patronize gluten-free restaurants and you’ll notice that they’ll work extra hard to please a regular guest.
Remember, if you’re newly diagnosed as intolerant to gluten, it’s bound to take a little while to feel comfortable when dinning out. But over time you’ll gain the confidence to know exactly how and what say when speaking to about your dietary needs. It’s an education for everyone.
Bon appetite.
October 9th, 2008 at 5:36 pm
Some good tips, but I’m still embarrassed when I go out to eat, especially to new restaurants. Some servers treat you like you’re from another planet. I guess that’s based on ignorance. Hopefully that’ll change over time.
October 12th, 2008 at 2:30 pm
Does anyone know of any “celiac-friendly” places to eat in the Burlington/Hamilton/Mississauga area? My sister-in-law is coming into town and because she can’t/won’t touch anything made with wheat, I’d like some suggestion on where to take her out for dinner, if anyone knows. Thanks.
October 28th, 2008 at 5:28 pm
Hi Zoe,
http://www.glutenfreeontario.ca/oakville.htm you can look around this website for some recommendations for different restaurants. Another suggestion is why don’t you try making a simple gluten free recipe for her?
There are a ton of resources on the web to help you out and the personal touch I think would make her visit extra special.
Goodluck,
Stephanie
October 29th, 2008 at 1:41 am
Stephanie,
Thanks for the info. Didn’t know your Ont. Celiac site recommend existed. My sister-in law will be tickled, I know.
And you’re right, I’ll definitely get in her good books by whipping up a GF dinner. What’s your fav “impress the relatives dish?”
Zoe
October 31st, 2008 at 9:35 am
Does anyone know of a great gluten-free kid friendly restaurant in the Unionville, Ontario area as my son has celiac disease? Any help would be appreciated.
Thank you
December 29th, 2008 at 5:34 pm
I was in Toronto recently and had the best meal of my life and it was gluten free. Try the Thai-VietNam restaurants “Lemon Grass” . There are four of them in the GTO and one is in the west of Toronto. They have a long list of items that are on the menu and are gluten free. They were all ones we wanted to try. No fuss, no odd looks; they are very comfortable with gluten free.
December 29th, 2008 at 5:43 pm
I always ask about gluten free — I see it as an opportunity to raise our profile. If wait staff haven’t dealt with it before it makes it easier for the next patron. I was really surprised how many wait staff are familiar with CD and how helpful they are. I often contact the restaurant/chain’s web page to praise the staff for their help. I also post the names of helpful restaurants on any celiac sites I find. I find the real problem is eating out in friends(?) homes. They either can’t handle it or can’t accept it. However, many people have been very helpful and supportive. I always bring something with wheat substitutes to potlucks and people are surprised that there are gf desserts and sauces that taste quite good.
January 22nd, 2009 at 7:45 pm
What is the Acai Berry?
The acai berry (pronounced “ah-sigh-ee”) is a small grape-size berry that is found in the Amazon Rainforest of Brazil. People of the rain forest have harvested this berry as part of their diet for hundreds of years.
The much desired acai fruit is just ten percent of the actual berry. The other ninty percent consists of the seed. The acai berry is cropped by the 1000s and put through a process that separates the pulp from the seed to create a thick, edible puree.
Although the acai berry is well-known in Brazil, only recently has its popularity spread to North America. Doctors, scientists, nutritionists and countless journal outlets rave about its many nutritional qualities and health benefits
This recent boost of interest in the acai berry has been aided by Bestselling author and anti-aging expert Dr. Nicholas Perricone who has pronounced the fruit as the “Number one super food in the world” in his book “The Perricone Promise” and in appearances on TV shows such as Oprah.
Calling the acai berry “the number one super food in the world” might sound like a stretch, but this view is not unfounded. The little berry is packed with an amazing amount of free-radical fighting antioxidants and is considered to have the best overall nutritional value of any fruit on earth.
Acai Berry Diet
Acai Berry Weight Loss
Not only is acai berry replacing wheatgrass as the new health trend, it also seems to be the newest fad diet as well. Clever companies are realizing what a big discovery acai berry is and capitalizing on it with carefuly marketed diet pills. While many of these diet claims are exaggerated, the acai berry has been scientifically proven to contain several important ingredients that help in boosting the metabolism, suppressing appetite, and building muscle tone.
I WILL ADMIT… ACAI BERRY IS AWESOME AND WORKS WELL AND WHEN I SAY DONT GET ACAI BERRY, I MEAN DONT SPEND MONEY YOU DONT HAVE TO!
seriously – dont buy acai berry!
why pay for it, when you can try it absolutely risk free?
You can try and see that it works first before you even start paying for it!
All you have to pay is 5.95 shipping and handling
http://i43.tinypic.com/wbdngk.jpg
where to buy acai berry – buy acai berry
http://www.livevideo.com/buyacaiberry
February 21st, 2009 at 3:18 pm
Thanks alot for this great post, its my first time commenting, just wanted to say I enjoy your writing.
March 20th, 2010 at 11:47 am
It’s pretty awesome having nutrition as my life. I always tell people when they ask me what kind of supplements to take. Start with the basics and get some protein as a body building supplement then if you want, try an EFA stack for weight loss. As always throw in a multivitamin.