How likely is cross contamination eating out once a month?

[Aaron275]

Hi,

I usually eat out at restaurants or cafes about once a month (just an estimate). I order gluten-free menu items but I never tell them I have celiac unless they ask, which has only ever happened 2 or 3 times.

How likely is cross contamination in this scenario?

Also, would it be a good idea for someone who still has symptoms to stop eating out altogether until they feel better?

Thanks

[Aaron275]

Just wanted to add, my last gluten exposure that I know of was in March 2021. So I am trying to figure out why I have not had any improvement in more than a year.

[Scott Adams]

Here are some articles on studies done on this topic, but for those who continue to eat out, myself included, taking AN-PEP enzymes like GliadinX (full disclosure, they are a sponsor here), may help break down small amounts of gluten in the stomach, before it reaches your intestines:

 

 

 

[Aaron275]

Thanks. It looks like GliadinX is out of stock at the moment but I did find an alternative product which has good reviews.

I think I might stop eating out altogether for a while just to be safe, and then think about using one of those products after I am feeling better.

[Aaron275]

I've been reading that gluten-free pizzas are one of the most common items to be cross contaminated, and gluten-free pizza is probably the thing that I order the most.

[knitty kitty]

The only time I didn't get contaminated by gluten-free pizza at a take out restaurant was when I was the very first customer as they opened.  

Mine was the first pizza made and cooked.  Clean preparation surfaces after the nightly cleaning?  

They leave the ovens on all night, so maybe that had something to do with it? Did traces of gluten get roasted away overnight?

Or was I just lucky?

Wouldn't that be nice if pizza restaurants had a "Gluten-free hour for Celiacs" at the beginning of the day?  We deserve to be served safely.  

[Scott Adams]

13 hours ago, Aaron275 said:

I've been reading that gluten-free pizzas are one of the most common items to be cross contaminated, and gluten-free pizza is probably the thing that I order the most.

I'm not sure what is available where you live, but here in California we can buy good frozen gluten-free pizzas at Costco, Safeway, and other major stores. Pre-packaged gluten-free pizzas and crusts should be safe, so you don't need to fully give up your pizza! I'm a thin crust fan, and use gluten-free "flour-style" tortillas from Trader Joe's to make personal pizzas in a frying pan on the stove, which are great.