Restaurant Eating Vs. Food Prepared By Family

[BlessedMommy]

Okay, one thing that I'm trying to understand:

 

The gluten free guide of do's and don'ts said DO avoid eating food prepared by family and friends, but DON'T avoid restaurants.

 

Now, I understand that casually eating stuff that people claim is gluten free is not a good idea. However, if you've conversed with the person and given them explicit directions on how to make gluten-free food, how is it any more riskier than eating in a restaurant and giving the restaurant directions on how to make your food? Is the guide talking mainly about people who claim the food is gluten-free, but won't provide an ingredient list and have no clue about CC?

 

For example, my MIL wanted to make chocolate balls for me. I went over the ingredient list with her and verified all the ingredients. I also ensured that she used a brand new jar of almond butter (to avoid CC from bread crumbs) and told her that wooden utensils couldn't be used because the wood absorbs gluten.

[kareng]

That sounds safe. We say don't eat what others make because most of them haven't a clue. If you are sure the person knows what they are doing, eat away.

The restaurants I eat at are ones that know what they are doing. That makes them safer than a lot of people's cooking.

[Adalaide]

The restaurants many of us choose to eat at have specific protocols in place to prevent CC and to help ensure a safe meal. That said, we do all understand that each time we eat out that there is some amount of risk involved unless we are eating in a gluten free establishment.

 

The sort of training and protocol established in these restaurants is something that the casual family and friends simply don't have. If you want them to be able to cook for you, the best way to approach it would be to be present the first few times to oversee things. There are many things they won't think of that you will as they come up. This could come down to things as simple as washing a counter top with their sponge they use to wash gluteny dishes with, baking gluteny things with flour right before making gluten free foods, and just little things that no one ever thinks of. You covered basics, but sometimes the little things trip people up.

[GF Lover]

We have seen many new members going out to eat and getting glutened all the time.  It really slows down the healing process.  Some of us suggest not eating out for 6 months to a year, depending how well your healing.  At that point most of us have very strict protocols that have to be met before we eat the food.  I'm over 2 years gluten free and only eat out about 5 times a year.  

As for food prepared by family.  My visiting mother cooked while she was here but I watched her like a hawk.  She had done her homework and I would trust her from now on.  My husband cooks for me all the time with no problems. We have a split kitchen, Hubs and Son are gluten eaters.

 

Colleen

[Monklady123]

That sounds safe. We say don't eat what others make because most of them haven't a clue. If you are sure the person knows what they are doing, eat away.

The restaurants I eat at are ones that know what they are doing. That makes them safer than a lot of people's cooking.

 

Yes to "most of them haven't a clue." lol. Or, not-lol. Like the woman who gave me all the ingredients of the chowder she brought to a church potluck. It was all basic -- potatoes, milk, etc. But since I've learned my lesson the hard way on this I persisted in questioning her and asked "and what about thickening, what did you use for that?" Oh flour, said she, but it was "only a little bit in such a large pot, that's okay isn't it?" ugh.   

 

 I'm a skeptic though and don't trust most restaurants either. 

[BlessedMommy]

Yeah, many people don't have a clue, that's for sure! I actually found that a SALAD that I ate and thought was safe, had a seasoning that had soy sauce in it. Oy!

[motheroftwins2010]

I think it's really a judgement call some well meaning relatives may not understand even if you give them a very informed run down. Some would be totally trustworthy. Restaurants a least reputable ones have to go by the health department standards and generally ones offering gluten free items have a special class or even sometimes a certification program they complete to ensure safety and complete understanding. But with that said a family member could do a better job at protecting you than a restaurant and vice versa it just depends on their level of understanding and cooperation.

[moosemalibu]

I haven't found a safe restaurant to eat at with confidence that wasn't dedicated gluten free. I'd rather eat at an educated friend/family's house than a restaurant. But it can be done and people do it safely. I'm also a newbie just 6 months into the journey and my symptoms are finally resolving. I'd hate to get a setback.

[CathyO]

I'm only a few months in, and have yet to have the courage to eat at another person's home.
There are so many cross-contamination issues to consider in cutting boards, colanders, wooden utensils, not understanding that one breadcrumb is enough to make me violently ill.

 

I eat at one restaurant locally.  I've spoken to the manager personally, and she also has food intolerances and supervises my food being prepared for me.  It's a chain, and I did eat at one on our vacation with good results. My server immediately KNEW, and explained how my food would be prepared without me asking.

 

My step-son was not as easily convinced as a restaurant staff.  He thought I was being ridiculous, and how could one bread crumb make me sick ... that was silly thinking.  Needless to say, I didn't eat in their home.  The attitude told me what I needed to know.