60th Anniversary

[kalikohl]

so i've been gluten free for about 4 days. And I noticed a huge difference in how i feel and look. My stomach is no where near as distended as it was in the past. Anyways my uncle, mom, myself and grandparents are going to dinner tonight. I have no idea where we are going so I can't call ahead and talk to the chef. I'm sure it'll be somewhere Italian so I'm not sure what I'll be able to eat.

If anyone has some sugguestions that would be great. Thanks!

[modiddly16]

60 years is amazing!!! I've been in this situation several times where I've either picked something up on the way there that I knew I could eat or I took my own food. Sometimes you could get a salad, but be careful of dressings, or once you get there you could ask to speak to a manager or chef. Maybe you'll find out where you're going earlier enough that you'd still have time to call!!

[lfij]

wherever you go, stick to "naked" food. veggies cooked in clean water, PLAIN meat cooked on a clean part of a grill, or a plain salad w/o cheese or imitation bacon or dressing unless you are good at reading packages. the more upscale the place the better luck you will have. you can also always just get a plain baked potato. good luck.

[tarnalberry]

with last minute things, I almost always do *not* eat with the rest of the people. at an italian place, there's likely to be a capresse salad (tomatoes and mozerella) that is safe, but I would be prepared to either bring food or eat before or after, just in case.

[lfij]

with last minute things, I almost always do *not* eat with the rest of the people. at an italian place, there's likely to be a capresse salad (tomatoes and mozerella) that is safe, but I would be prepared to either bring food or eat before or after, just in case.

good idea. i apologize i completely missed the italian thing, i think it's late and i'm tired lol. I'd be very careful of people eating bread all around the table getting into your food, and if you get veggies reiterate to the waiter that they can NOT be cooked in pasta water. Your best bet is to talk to the cook/chef wherever you go. I've heard of celiacs even eating at an olive garden in a pinch, so, it can be done!

[debmidge]

I have heard of people bringing their own gluten-free pasta to italian restaurants and I'll reiterate that the pot to boil it in has to be clean and fresh water used and strained in a clean strainer (so no gluten gets picked up)

I don't know about the tomato sauce, but if you bring your own butter (BYOB) you can at least have gluten-free macaroni with butter.

Italian food has gluten in it by its very nature: wheat pasta, breaded things like eggplant, Italian bread, so if you can't call the restaurant ahead of time you're walking into a puzzle that you won't be able to solve until you get there.

Take some gluten-free stuff with you in your purse or in a small grocery bag, just to be on safe side.

Good luck and have a good time...

[kalikohl]

the dinner went ok. I had some oil as a salad dressing and some grilled chicken. So it wasn't as bad as i thought.

thanks for all the replies