Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Salad Bar ?

Random Guy

By Random Guy
in Gluten-Free Restaurants

Recommended Posts

Random Guy Apprentice
Random Guy
Posted

hey everyone

i'm a month and a half into my attempt at gluten-free living.

It's not so bad. There are so many things that taste great and are filling that I can eat, that it's not such a tough diet.

well, at least when I'm at home.

and at work has been ok too. until i realized something...

For lunch while at work, almost every day I get a salad. it's not a help yourself salad bar. they people behind the counter make it at your request.

so i'll get spinach, feta cheese, kidney beans, chick peas, peppers, tomatoes, onions, all safe stuff.

they use a clean set of tongs for each customer - great.

BUT after they stick the tongs in the blue cheese, or pasta, or something else with gluten, and then stick it in the chick peas, now the chick peas are contaminated.

so unless i'm first on line, i'm getting a little of everything in my salad.

i'm bummed out about this.

bringing in leftovers is a real pain in the neck for a number of reasons. i'd love to avoid that at least sometimes.

i work in manhattan, so there's a lot of choices around. but is there any such thing as a safe salad bar?

is there a safe salad bar type of setup, or do i switch to peanut butter and jelly on rice cakes?

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Nancym Enthusiast
Nancym
Posted
they use a clean set of tongs for each customer - great.

BUT after they stick the tongs in the blue cheese, or pasta, or something else with gluten, and then stick it in the chick peas, now the chick peas are contaminated.

I'm unclear on how they're getting cross-contaminated if they use a clean pair for each customer? Why would they be sticking the clean pair of tongs they got for you into pasta?

Random Guy Apprentice
Random Guy
Posted
  • Author

well, this is why i thought i was ok eating there as well. they DO use a new, clean set of tongs.

however, as the saladmaker behind the counter was making the salad for the customer in fron t of me today, i noticed that the tongs went in the blue cheese and then those same tongs went into the next thing he ordered (which i don't even know what it was)

since there was blue cheese on the tongs, then the blue cheese HAD TO end up in the next thing too, right?

only a fellow celliac'er gets the cross contamination issue. maybe i'm taking it too far, but i think that glutened tongs spread gluten into otherwise safe foods

thoughts?

sorry if i'm not making myself clear. it's only because sometimes i'm not very clear when i write.

-rg

mouse Enthusiast
mouse
Posted

Yes, you are right as the items are getting cross contaminated. Is it possible to talk to whomever is in charge and see if they could leave one set of tongs in each section. I know they will have to put each one down before the next selection but maybe this is doable to them. It never hurts to ask. Good Luck.

mookie03 Contributor
mookie03
Posted

i totally sympathize on this one, bc i went through the same thing at my local deli (im in manhattan too)...i was getting sick whenever i ate the salads and i know all the ingredients were gluten-free...at first i thought it was the dressing (i always got oil and vinegar) but i know distilled vinegar is fine, and oil is, well, just oil. So i realized it is the cross contam...the thing is, even though they clean the tongs and the bowls, im not sure how thoroughly they do so. and i often get pieces of other things in my salads (like chickpeas if they are next to the broccoli, etc.), so i dont trust them anymore, it was just not worth the risk for me as i am very sensitive :( I SOOOOOO miss those salads, to me they were one of my fav things about living in NYC- every deli has them!! On occasion, i will break down and get myself one, but i will only order veggies that are no where near any gluten ingredients. If you go to the same place every day, perhaps they would be willing to make you a salad with some of the ingredients they have in the back? worth i try i guess..

Random Guy Apprentice
Random Guy
Posted
  • Author
...If you go to the same place every day, perhaps they would be willing to make you a salad with some of the ingredients they have in the back? worth i try i guess..

Mookie, you're a genious!!!

and if not from the ingredients in the back, maybe i could possibly order my salad in the morning and have them make it BEFORE they cross contaminate.

when i explain the cross contamination issue, they might think i'm just another NYC nutjob (and i'm not sure i'm not, but that's another story), but what do i have to lose

thank you Mookie. you've brought hope into my day

(on a side note: if someone tolds me a few months ago that the possibility of having a salad for lunch would make my day, i'd have laughed my head off)

have a great weekend

and thanks

-rg

mookie03 Contributor
mookie03
Posted

hahaha, im so glad i could be of service :) and yes, i think its crazy that now having a salad w/o gluten is the best thing in the world to us... but its not like we can eat anything else in a deli! i hope u can work something out w/ ur local deli- and keep me posted on what works, b/c i may do the same! and about being just another nyc nutjob... does it even matter anymore?! I mean, im sure they are so used to serving crazy people it wont even phase them when u make ur request! :P

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


minibabe Contributor
minibabe
Posted

I actually commute into Brooklyn 4 days a week to go to School (Brooklyn PolyTech) I can not eat anything at the school except the fruit and what I had thought was okay also.....the salad bar. I was there yesterday and went to go and get the usual and I guess that I never realized it before but they dont seperate everything. For instance they would put the carrots and the cucumbers together. I never thought twice about it, until yesterday when the peppers where with this pasta mix. I got so upset because I was so hungry and now.....all i could have was a lously piece of fruit <_< .

Now I am not sure what to do, because I can not bring anything in with me for lunch, and going for 10 hours straight on fruit is just going to make me loose weight and I dont need anymore of that.

Sometimes I feel like I am the only one out there.......that is really cool though to know that there are people close :) .

I go into Penn Station to go home and I always smell Anite Anns pretzels......I get so jealous when I see someone eating them. <_<

Amanda NY

Random Guy Apprentice
Random Guy
Posted
  • Author

hey minibabe, at the GNC in penn station, they sell gluten free rice chip snacks that are really good. they remind me of doritos sort of, only better for you i think

like most specialty sfuff, it helps if your rich

good luck

-rg

minibabe Contributor
minibabe
Posted

Rg,

Really sounds great I will have to grab a bag on Monday. thanks :)

I would still rather be eating the cinnamon pretzel sticks though <_<

Amanda NY

mookie03 Contributor
mookie03
Posted

Amanda-- why not pack easy portable snacks like dried fruit and nuts or breakfast/power bars? I totally know how frustrating it is, especially being in ny and having to commute around (im totally a bag lady these days) but i always bring lots of snacks so i never get stranded in class w/o food...hope u can find something that works for you!

jessica00 Newbie
jessica00
Posted

Hi,

I will only eat a salad that is self serve with individual tongs for each item. Otherwise, I bring my own food. I've been glutened to many times by prepared salads.

Jess

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Join eNewsletter
    Donate
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):



    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):



  • Recent Activity

    1. xxnonamexx
      - xxnonamexx posted a topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      0

      Self Diagnosed avoiding gluten 7 months later (Not tested due to eating gluten to test) update and question on soy

      I know I haven't been tested but self diagnosed that by avoiding gluten the past 7 months I feel so much better. I have followed how to eat and avoid gluten and have been good about hidden gluten in products, how to prep gluten-free and flours to use to bake gluten-free and have been very successful. It has been a learning curve but once you get the hang...
    2. knitty kitty
      - knitty kitty replied to Scatterbrain's topic in Sports and Fitness
      9

      Feel like I’m starting over

      Check your multivitamin to see if it contains Thiamine Mononitrate, which is a "shelf-stable" form of thiamine that doesn't break down with exposure to light, heat, and time sitting on a shelf waiting to be sold. Our bodies have difficulty absorbing and utilizing it. Only 30% is absorbed and less can be utilized. There's some question as to how well multivitamins...
    3. Scatterbrain
      - Scatterbrain replied to Scatterbrain's topic in Sports and Fitness
      9

      Feel like I’m starting over

      I am taking a multivitamin which is pretty bolstered with B’s. Additional Calcium, D3, Magnesium, Vit C, and Ubiquinol. Started Creapure creatine monohydrate in June for athletic recovery and brain fog. I have been working with a Nutritionist along side my Dr. since February. My TTG IGA levels in January were 52.8 and my DGP IGA was >250 (I don’t ...
    4. knitty kitty
      - knitty kitty replied to Scatterbrain's topic in Sports and Fitness
      9

      Feel like I’m starting over

      @Scatterbrain, What supplements are you taking? I agree that the problem may be nutritional deficiencies. It's worth talking to a dietician or nutritionist about. Did you get a Marsh score at your diagnosis? Was your tTg IgA level very high? These can indicate more intestinal damage and poorer absorption of nutrients. Are you eating...
    5. knitty kitty
      - knitty kitty replied to Larzipan's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      34

      Has anyone had terrible TMJ/ Jaw Pain from undiagnosed Celiac?

      Vitamin and mineral deficiencies can make TMJ worse. Vitamins like B12 , Thiamine B1, and Pyridoxine B6 help relieve pain. Half of the patients in one study were deficient in these three vitamins in one study below. Malabsorption of vitamins and minerals is common in celiac disease. It's important to eat healthy nutrient dense diets like the Autoimmune...
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      132,316
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    RickT
    Newest Member
    RickT
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.5k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • xxnonamexx
      Self Diagnosed avoiding gluten 7 months later (Not tested due to eating gluten to test) update and question on soy

      By xxnonamexx · Posted

      I know I haven't been tested but self diagnosed that by avoiding gluten the past 7 months I feel so much better. I have followed how to eat and avoid gluten and have been good about hidden gluten in products, how to prep gluten-free and flours to use to bake gluten-free and have been very successful. It has been a learning curve but once you get the hang of it and more aware you realize how many places are gluten-free and contamination free practices etc. One thing I have read is how soy is like gluten. How would one know if soy affects you? I have eaten gluten free hershey reeses that say gluten free etc some other snacks say gluten free but contain soy and I dont get sick or soy yogurt no issues. Is there adifference in soys?
    • knitty kitty
      Feel like I’m starting over

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      Check your multivitamin to see if it contains Thiamine Mononitrate, which is a "shelf-stable" form of thiamine that doesn't break down with exposure to light, heat, and time sitting on a shelf waiting to be sold.  Our bodies have difficulty absorbing and utilizing it.  Only 30% is absorbed and less can be utilized.   There's some question as to how well multivitamins dissolve in the digestive tract.  You can test this at home.  YouTube has instructional videos.   Talk to your nutritionist about adding a B Complex.  The B vitamins are water soluble, so any excess is easily excreted if not needed.  Consider adding additional Thiamine in the forms Benfotiamine or TTFD (tetrahydrofurfuryl disulfide) or thiamine hydrochloride.   Thiamine is needed to help control electrolytes.  Without sufficient thiamine, the kidneys loose electrolytes easily resulting in low sodium and chloride.   We need extra thiamine when we're emotionally stressed, physically ill, and when we exercise regularly, are an athlete, or do physical labor outdoors, and in hot weather.  Your return to activities and athletics may have depleted your thiamine and other B vitamins to a point symptoms are appearing.   The deficiency symptoms of B vitamins overlap, and can be pretty vague, or easily written off as due to something else like being tired after a busy day.  The symptoms you listed are the same as early B vitamin deficiency symptoms, especially Thiamine.  Thiamine deficiency symptoms can appear in as little as three days.  I recognize the symptoms as those I had when I was deficient.  It can get much worse. "My symptoms are as follows: Dizziness, lightheaded, headaches (mostly sinus), jaw/neck pain, severe tinnitus, joint stiffness, fatigue, irregular heart rate, post exercise muscle fatigue and soreness, brain fog, insomnia.  Generally feeling unwell." I took a B 50 Complex twice a day and extra thiamine in the forms Benfotiamine and TTFD.  I currently take the Ex Plus supplement used in this study which shows B vitamins, especially Thiamine B 1, Riboflavin B2, Pyridoxine B 6, and B12 Cobalamine are very helpful.   A functional evaluation of anti-fatigue and exercise performance improvement following vitamin B complex supplementation in healthy humans, a randomized double-blind trial https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10542023/
    • Scatterbrain
      Feel like I’m starting over

      By Scatterbrain · Posted

      I am taking a multivitamin which is pretty bolstered with B’s.  Additional Calcium, D3, Magnesium, Vit C, and Ubiquinol.  Started Creapure creatine monohydrate in June for athletic recovery and brain fog.  I have been working with a Nutritionist along side my Dr. since February.  My TTG IGA levels in January were 52.8 and my DGP IGA was >250 (I don’t know the exact number since it was so high).  All my other labs were normal except Sodium and Chloride which were low.  I have more labs coming up in Dec.  I make my own bread, and don’t eat a lot of processed gluten-free snacks.
    • knitty kitty
      Feel like I’m starting over

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      @Scatterbrain, What supplements are you taking? I agree that the problem may be nutritional deficiencies.  It's worth talking to a dietician or nutritionist about.   Did you get a Marsh score at your diagnosis?  Was your tTg IgA level very high?  These can indicate more intestinal damage and poorer absorption of nutrients.   Are you eating processed gluten free food stuffs?  Have you looked into the Autoimmune Protocol Diet?  
    • knitty kitty
      Has anyone had terrible TMJ/ Jaw Pain from undiagnosed Celiac?

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      Vitamin and mineral deficiencies can make TMJ worse.  Vitamins like B12 , Thiamine B1, and Pyridoxine B6 help relieve pain.  Half of the patients in one study were deficient in these three vitamins in one study below. Malabsorption of vitamins and minerals is common in celiac disease.  It's important to eat healthy nutrient dense diets like the Autoimmune Protocol Diet, a Paleo diet that has similarities to the Mediterranean diet mentioned in one of the studies.   Is there a link between diet and painful temporomandibular disorders? A cross-sectional study https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12442269/   Nutritional Strategies for Chronic Craniofacial Pain and Temporomandibular Disorders: Current Clinical and Preclinical Insights https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11397166/   Serum nutrient deficiencies in the patient with complex temporomandibular joint problems https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2446412/  
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.