Restaurant Gave Me Regular Bread And I Didn't Realize It

[LauraH]

AAGGHHH!!!  I rarely eat out because I also have microscopic colitis, and my diet is ridiculously restricted and the symptoms quick and severe if I eat something wrong, but I was out with some friends - expected to leave to eat at home, but it went long, so I got brave and ordered cheese and gluten-free bread.  The restaurant has a good reputation for being careful with their gluten-free foods and other dietary issues.    

 

I should have just eaten the cheese since I know that's always safe,  but I was too hungry and lost my good judgment and willpower.  Also I haven't had any bread since my diagnosis,  so didn't really realize for a bite or two that the bread I had was regular bread.  Once I clued in that the bread was too soft,  I asked the waitress (had been really clear about the gluten-free bread when I ordered) and she was barely apologetic.  OMG.  

 

I left immediately to get home before the symptoms started (got glutened a couple of months ago and had uncontrollable d and awful nausea all night long, followed by a few days of joint pain and brain fog and migraine.  I took some gluten-enzyme and have some activated charcoal (pharmacist recommended) for in an hour or so if the symptoms get too bad.  I am having pains and cramping...ugh.  

 

Anyway, this is just a vent and warning - you can't trust ANYONE, always ask again before you start eating if you ordered something that isn't obviously gluten-free (like beans),  and always carry your own snacks!

 

SO frustrated that the restaurant obviously decided I was gluten-free to be trendy and didn't really have a health issue.  

[cyclinglady]

So sorry! Hope you feel better soon!

[bartfull]

Major bummer!

 

I always keep a couple of Lara Bars in my purse and a small bag of Planter's nuts. That way if I get caught out late and need to eat at least I have something to hold me over 'til I get home.

 

Hope you get over this quickly.

[luvs2eat]

That's my worst nightmare and why we almost NEVER eat out. I'd have been tempted to stay there and let them SEE what happens when they don't take your gluten free needs seriously... but, for me, it's so severe and explosive (from both ends... sorry for the TMI) that they'd have to scrape me off the floor!

 

Did you contact the restaurant after the fact and let them know what happened?

[LauraH]

That's my worst nightmare and why we almost NEVER eat out. I'd have been tempted to stay there and let them SEE what happens when they don't take your gluten free needs seriously... but, for me, it's so severe and explosive (from both ends... sorry for the TMI) that they'd have to scrape me off the floor!

 

Did you contact the restaurant after the fact and let them know what happened?

Yes, I let them know right away and talked to the manager, who offered me different food (uh, no, I had to leave right then for the same reason you'd want to stay and share it with them ;-) ) and then they offered me a gift card, which I declined because I don't plan to return.  I'm doing ok, a few days later - still some stomach pain, joint pain and the squirts, and feeling faint every time I move.  I had forgotten that awful faint feeling, it's been so long since I got glutened.  Other stuff gives me the other symptoms, but gluten must be the only thing that gives me the faints.    

[icelandgirl]

Ugh!! I'm so sorry this happened to you! I hope you feel all better soon.

[psawyer]

... and then they offered me a gift card, which I declined because I don't plan to return.

Hmm. So... no incentive for the restaurant to improve their practices, since you are not coming back.

I would have accepted the card even if I had no intention of using it, because the hope that I would return could be a motive to actually try to fix the problems.

Just saying.

[LauraH]

Hmm. So... no incentive for the restaurant to improve their practices, since you are not coming back.

I would have accepted the card even if I had no intention of using it, because the hope that I would return could be a motive to actually try to fix the problems.

Just saying.

 

Good point.  At that moment I really just needed to get home, and didn't feel like I had time to wait for a gift card.  I was wearing light colored shorts... My friends definitely gave the manager and waitress some pieces of their minds too.  They have a decent sized gluten-free menu, so they normally take it pretty seriously, and I expect they will in the future.  It was probably more of a training-of-that-one-waitress issue than a restaurant issue.