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Bbq/picnic On Sunday - Help!

tkm831

By tkm831
in Coping with Celiac Disease

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tkm831 Rookie
tkm831
Posted

Ok this is my first picnic since I have been diagnosed and I am in need of some help.

I know it will be catered and the menu usually consists of the following:

Burgers

Hot Dogs

Steak

Chicken

Potato Salad

Macaroni Salad (No)

Shrimp Cocktail

Steamer Clams

Corn on the cob

Baked Potato

Cake (LOL!!! NO!)

Obviously the macaroni salad and cake are a NO but what about everything else? I was thinking of finding out the name of the caterer and calling to ask a few questions as to not make a big deal when I am there and so I know if I need to bring my own food. I am already planning on bringing my own cucumber salad and desert for myself but as far as the main meal??? Any help would be appreciated I just want it to be as stress free as possible and not starve. THANKS!!!!!!!!!

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celiac-mommy Collaborator
celiac-mommy
Posted
I was thinking of finding out the name of the caterer and calling to ask a few questions as to not make a big deal when I am there and so I know if I need to bring my own food.

That's probably your best bet. I would worry about CC though. We always bring our own food, it's the safest thing to do and then you can relax and enjoy yourself and not worry about getting sick.

*lee-lee* Enthusiast
*lee-lee*
Posted

you need to find out how the food will be prepared. is the chicken marinated in anything that could contain gluten or is is plain? same goes for the burgers. even if they're plain but cooked on the same surface that gluteny food was cooked on is no good. some hot dogs are safe, some are not. same rule applies to where they're cooked.

baked potatoes should be ok as long as they're not cut open before one is put on your plate. clams and corn on the cob should be ok. i'm guessing shrimp would be ok but watch the cocktail sauce. check the ingredients.

maybe you can bring your own chicken or burger and cook it yourself, or ask the caterers to cook it on a piece of foil if they're doing the cooking right there at the party.

watch out for condiments that are shared. i'm referring to a bowl of mayo or sauce with a knife or spoon in it or something like that. if someone used the knife to slather the sauce all over their gluteny food and puts the knife back, well the whole bowl is contaminated.

i know it seems like a lot of work right now but it'll get easier. you'll learn to know what to look for and it'll be second nature soon enough. it just takes practice!

ShayFL Enthusiast
ShayFL
Posted

Yes call them!

Ask if the shrimp/corn on cob/clams use fresh water and not "pasta water". It has happened to me. :(

lovegrov Collaborator
lovegrov
Posted

Definitely call the caterer. They should be glad to help.

That said, all of these COULD be gluten-free:

Burgers

Hot Dogs

Steak

Chicken

Potato Salad

Shrimp Cocktail

Steamer Clams

Corn on the cob

Baked Potato

richard

Darn210 Enthusiast
Darn210
Posted

In the past, (for my daughter) we just took a hotdog already wrapped in foil and gave it to the cook to grill.

I'd talk to the caterer and see if they could do something like prefoil your meat selection or possibly preassemble your plate before people contaminate the gluten free items by mixing/sharing the serving spoons.

If it's too stressful that it makes it hard to enjoy yourself, then bring your own.

babysteps Contributor
babysteps
Posted
watch out for condiments that are shared. i'm referring to a bowl of mayo or sauce with a knife or spoon in it or something like that. if someone used the knife to slather the sauce all over their gluteny food and puts the knife back, well the whole bowl is contaminated.

Sometimes it works to be there early, if you are first through the line and the condiments are newly opened you can get at 'clean' ones.

Or you can bring your own condiments...

Have a good time!

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Welda Johnson Newbie
Welda Johnson
Posted

Hi,

I've dealt with this for so many years. First of all, I would put together your own little picnic bag of favorite foods--things that the caterers could never make as excitingly delicious as you (you WILL get to the point of looking at others' offerings and realizing that your own creations are so much better). Make sure you put in some really great things! Calling to see what they offer is always a wise idea, and will give you some more information for making your choices. Soon you will be able to almost intuitively look at the table of food and see and experience what is good for you and what isn't. It just takes a little time and practice. Next, you can pick and choose from the table of offerings the things that you know are safe. Maybe you'll need to get into you own bag, maybe not. Nevertheless, you'll be totally prepared, and disappointment will not be a consideration all day (believe it or not, I have cried when things went wrong at times--no more--now I go prepared). Best wishes to you. I hope all goes well. Welda

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