Working In A Restaurant

[ReneCox]

I have been gluten-free (glutened at least once I know of) for about a month. I am a waitress in a seafood joint and am CONSTANTLY around gluten..when i clear the plates, prepare the food...etc. There is always flour floating around the kitchen which I am in alot. Could this be why I am not seeing much improvement? I try to be as careful as possible. I do not eat anything there; I never put my hands in my mouth etc... Should I quit my job as a waitress? I really do not want to...But if it is making me sick I will in a heartbeat

[Lisa]

Renee:

That is an option you may need to exlore. There are any people that post here that work in restaurants and do it successfully.

There are always so many things to adapt to in a gluten free lifestyle. Of course you know not to get anything into your mouth, which you have indicated. As well, you wash your hand often. I think if you are aware and take the safe guards against exposure, you can do your job and be safe.

But on the flip side, if you can do something else and not have the worry, that may need some exploration as well.

[happygirl]

Hey Rene,

Well, regardless of where you work, one month in the life of a Celiac/gluten intolerant person....although it seems like a LIFETIME!!!....is really a very short period of time for healing to occur and your body to start feeling better. It took me months to return anywhere near normal. So the restaurant may not be the problem....it may just be your body taking time to heal. It took a long time to get sick...it'll take awhile to heal, too. I know thats not fun advice, and I thought I'd just "get better" by taking gluten out one day....then I learned it took a lot longer for some people!

You'll probably get differing opinions from people on this board....some will say you would be fine.....some will say you won't. Like Lisa said, there are numerous other servers on this board who seem to be careful and do well. I hope that they will chime in. I was a server during college, but I was not a Celiac at that point, so I can't offer any personal advice there.

Good luck and I hope you feel better!!!

Laura