Newly diagnosed

Scubasocal · October 15, 2017

I have been just diagnosed with celiac. Blood test positive and I just received the call that the biopsy confirmed it. My doc is referring me to a nutritionist. My biggest concern is that I travel a lot and eat out >90% of the time. Everything I read says eating out is difficult. Any tips as I am stressing about this?

Ennis-TX · October 15, 2017

Check out the newbie 101 section

Yeah we suggest not eating out, cross contamination is a HUGE issue in restaurants unless 100% gluten free, and you have to grill the staff. Most fast food joints even the gluten free items are Russian roulette. On the go meal traveling usually involves meal prep and "lunch kits" I got a JAXs pack and it carries 2-3 meals, you can get a larger 6 meal carry pack. Other options are protein bars like Julian bakery makes a no dairy gluten free protein bar, and many others make gluten free bars. Meal replacement shakes are another option like the ones from MRM or pioneer labs.

We first suggest going to a whole foods only diet, this makes stuff very simple and speeds up healing like a jump start, We also suggest dropping dairy and oats at first and reintroducing them later. Some celiacs react to oats even gluten free ones, and dairy is broken down by enzymes that are produced by the tips of your villi which are damaged the most,

https://www.celiac.com/forums/topic/91878-newbie-info-101/

Jmg · October 15, 2017

On 10/15/2017 at 1:58 AM, Scubasocal said:

My biggest concern is that I travel a lot and eat out >90% of the time. Everything I read says eating out is difficult. Any tips as I am stressing about this?

Expand Quote

Try to treat the first 6 months as a separate learning and healing period. Eat non processed foods where possible. Don't go overboard on gluten free bread etc.

For travel, learn the safer restaurants and easily available foods and stick to those. Keep some snacks with you in case hunger strikes.

Learn to read labels, gluten can be hidden in the most unexpected places.

Use this forum, lots of help and support here.

Above all

Seriously, it's a medical condition but its a very manaegable one. What first seems hard becomes second nature. You'll get the hang of it and you'll start feeling better as you continue eating gluten-free.

Best of luck!

OliviaFW · October 23, 2017

Download the app "Find Me gluten-free". It was a life saver when I went on a road trip. You can scan the area you are in for all of the nearest safe restaurants. I only go to the ones labeled "Celiac Friendly" , but that's up to you. Make sure you read the reviews and look at the ratings.

Majority of popular restaurants are not safe. I have found some local restaurants that I enjoy, so ask around in your community.

I usually feel safe eating at Chipolte, because I watch them prepare everything right in front of me. If you tell them you have a gluten allergy they will wash their hands, change their gloves, change out the spoons for all of the ingredients you want, and get new bins of cheese. Just make sure you watch the whole time.

I have also eaten at Five Guys several times. Their fries are usually fried in peanut oil and do not have any coating, so if they change their gloves they should be okay. I usually get a hamburger on a lettuce wrap instead of a bun and ask them to keep it separate as they make it. Just like with Chipolte, you can watch everything they do. I always stand right by the counter and watch them make my food to look out for possible cross contamination. They usually are very careful, but you do have to be very aware and make a decision based on how conscious the workers seem.

Mellow Mushrooms also seem to be in many states. All of the locations I have been to have had gluten free options and dedicated kitchen space.

These are some of the restaurants that work for me, but it is different for every person and every circumstance. The most important thing is to be safe. Always ask a lot of questions. I have decided not to eat at places before because of the way a waiter has answered a question about their procedures to reduce cross contamination. I will also skip out on eating out if the place is busy. No matter how careful they say they will be a kitchen is a busy place. If the restaurant is packed it's better to be safe and not risk it.

I hope you find some places to eat out that work for you, but the truth is a lot of the time you will just need to bring your own food or eat at home. Your health is more important than eating out.

It gets easier and you will learn what is safe and what works. Good luck!