Why Do I Feel So Guilty?

[ekdumas19]

Hi everyone!

So right now I feel really guilty because at my job we have all these sales people that come in and take our department out to lunch. It is usually to restaurants where the menu is limited and the level of cross contamination is too high for me to really risk going. The only one I have attended is the one at Legal Seafood because I know they are pretty dedicated to being gluten free when it counts. So today-they came around again asking if I wanted to go--I said sorry I have bad food allergies and don't like to eat out-especially at a place like Mangiano's-where its pasta/bread central. I swear to god my office is like the anti celiac-these sales people bring in muffins/donuts/cakes/cookies-and I have to decline everytime. I think they honestly think I dont even eat at all, though I have told several people about my celiac disease. Please assure me that i was better just to decline than to risk an episode of cross contamination! I just feel like people still don't understand enough about the disease to realize why I have to bail out all the time!!

[HawkFire]

Please bring your own lunches. You can order a drink and still socialize. celiac isn't an isolating disease. You should have fun with your friends every chance you get. Don't decline. Go, go, go.

[CarlaB]

I agree, go and bring your own lunch!!

There is a place called Maggianos, surprisingly similar name to the one you said, that is VERY accomodating to celiacs, in fact, our local celiac group had a dinner there.

[floridanative]

Carla is right and if it's the same place, you can order gluten free pasta ahead of time. I have it with their gluten-free alfredo sauce and a nice salad. There's enough to take left overs home. Some locations always has corn pasta but both ours require calling ahead so they have it for sure when you arrive. The Chef comes to the table to tell you what he can safely make you. They take allergies very seriously, at least in Atlanta.

[ekdumas19]

Carla is right and if it's the same place, you can order gluten free pasta ahead of time. I have it with their gluten-free alfredo sauce and a nice salad. There's enough to take left overs home. Some locations always has corn pasta but both ours require calling ahead so they have it for sure when you arrive. The Chef comes to the table to tell you what he can safely make you. They take allergies very seriously, at least in Atlanta.

Wow-it's probably the same one. Good to know though. I don't feel as bad now, because a lot of people didn't go and I hardly knew the guy anyway. But I guess it goes to show that there is no harm in asking......

[megzmc3611]

Hi everyone!

So right now I feel really guilty because at my job we have all these sales people that come in and take our department out to lunch. It is usually to restaurants where the menu is limited and the level of cross contamination is too high for me to really risk going. The only one I have attended is the one at Legal Seafood because I know they are pretty dedicated to being gluten free when it counts. So today-they came around again asking if I wanted to go--I said sorry I have bad food allergies and don't like to eat out-especially at a place like Mangiano's-where its pasta/bread central. I swear to god my office is like the anti celiac-these sales people bring in muffins/donuts/cakes/cookies-and I have to decline everytime. I think they honestly think I dont even eat at all, though I have told several people about my celiac disease. Please assure me that i was better just to decline than to risk an episode of cross contamination! I just feel like people still don't understand enough about the disease to realize why I have to bail out all the time!!

I think we all know how you feel! Maybe you can suggest PF Changs next time. It is right near Maggiano's and has a full gluten-free menu. Very good stuff! (of course eating out is always risky!)....

[kbtoyssni]

You should still go. I go out to lunch with my coworkers all the time and bring my own food. No one cares; they're all just hapy I can make it. The restaurants don't mind either. If they don't let me bring my own food they know we'd have to go somewhere that can accomodate me and they don't want to lose the business of all my friends. It's a little strange to start reaching into your lunchbox when everyone's meals arrive, but you gt used to it.

I went to a buffet once and handed them a cheese sandwich in one of those toaster bags for them to make me a grilled cheese. The server was thouroughly confused for a while at my one instruction for her: DON'T TAKE THE SANDWICH OUT OF THE BAG!

[tarnalberry]

I agree that you should still go, and bring your own lunch. Socializing doesn't have to involve the food - though it's hard to separate it mentally when others are involved with food.

[CarlaB]

Carla is right and if it's the same place, you can order gluten free pasta ahead of time. I have it with their gluten-free alfredo sauce and a nice salad. There's enough to take left overs home. Some locations always has corn pasta but both ours require calling ahead so they have it for sure when you arrive. The Chef comes to the table to tell you what he can safely make you. They take allergies very seriously, at least in Atlanta.

If you don't have the chance to call ahead, go ahead and go anyway. I've never called ahead here in Cincinnati and they've always accomodated me very well!!! It's my favorite place to eat!!