What To Do If You Can't Cook

[ranger]

It occurred to me replying to someone, that if I were to become incapacitated or land in the hospital that I would either starve to death or be glutinized frequently. My DH does not cook, and everything my daghters have made for me (gluten free) I've gotten cc'd. I keep a couple of meals in the freezer for emergencies, but they wouldn't last long. Anyone have a contingency plan in case of this type of incident?

ps Our local hospital is gluten contaminated. I couldn't even eat a plain bowl of lettuce there.

[Roda]

It occurred to me replying to someone, that if I were to become incapacitated or land in the hospital that I would either starve to death or be glutinized frequently. My DH does not cook, and everything my daghters have made for me (gluten free) I've gotten cc'd. I keep a couple of meals in the freezer for emergencies, but they wouldn't last long. Anyone have a contingency plan in case of this type of incident?

ps Our local hospital is gluten contaminated. I couldn't even eat a plain bowl of lettuce there.

I feel pretty fortunate that my husband can get around in the kitchen. He is so much more versed than when we got married. He has even had me dinner ready before. We eat all our evening meals together gluten free (with the exception of pasta) and he is pretty aware of the cc possibility. I have not got cc yet by him. I do have to remind him to clean up his part of the counter from the toaster, but at least it is on the other side of the kitchen away from our shared area. The local hospital that I work for said at one point they could accomidate gluten free, but things can change. I would not eat off the lunch line or salad bar for the visitors or staff anymore. I would have to ask for something made separate. Luckily I work nights and everything is closed so I take my own food anyway. If I was a patient I would have to really ask alot of questions or have hubby bring me food. This has sparked an intrest for me to check on our brands of barium for x-rays and ct to find out the gluten status.

[mamaw]

Most hospitals are not gluten-free friendly...... at home I suggest an emergency food storage plan. Their are many canned soups from Progresso that are gluten-free. If you need the list let me know. Plus there are several frozen entrees that are gluten-free.

I would also keep gluten-free crackers, canned meats ,veggies & canned fruits around. We have a whole closet filled for emergencies.

I was in our local hospital for ten days ICU, no gluten-free food except fake eggs, grilled chicken, salad or a hamburger patty. Pretty sick huh! My husband brought me gluten-free food from home every day even water!

Pretzels Tortilla chips , popcorn are good things also to keep on hand.

I have to run for now but if you need any other suggestions let me know & I will post them later this week.

blessiings

mamaw

[ranger]

Good ideas. I don't eat much canned food, but am going to stock on some, just in case. Better canned than none! Thanks

[YoloGx]

On that line, I suggest making extra and generally freezing food at home just in case. You could also train your husband more if that is possible. You could also get a little mini refrigerator and hot plate for your room. Though really this situation with the hospitals has got to change. Kaiser for instance is better than the were but not at all perfect--better for someone who hasn't gone off all trace gluten. Maybe celiac support groups should help each other in case someone is in the hospital? I may try to suggest something like that around here.

[ranger]

On that line, I suggest making extra and generally freezing food at home just in case. You could also train your husband more if that is possible. You could also get a little mini refrigerator and hot plate for your room. Though really this situation with the hospitals has got to change. Kaiser for instance is better than the were but not at all perfect--better for someone who hasn't gone off all trace gluten. Maybe celiac support groups should help each other in case someone is in the hospital? I may try to suggest something like that around here.

zolo

Thats is an excellent idea. Next time I get to our local meeting, I'm going to bring it up. We have several good cooks and I, for one, would be glad to cook for someone in the hospital. My Dh is a lost cause. In the kitchen, that is! I do keep some emergency meals in my freezer along with several kinds of breads, but it would not be practical to keep enough for any length of stay. Thanks so much.

[mushroom]

Our hospital in Reno (Renown) assures me they have a full gluten-free menu :) And dh is well-trained in the kitchen; in fact over the last year when my back has been bad he has handled the bulk of the cooking. Fortunately he is gluten free too, although has no concerns about soy and corn, so I have to check what he buys Guess I'm pretty lucky!!

[YoloGx]

Our hospital in Reno (Renown) assures me they have a full gluten-free menu :) And dh is well-trained in the kitchen; in fact over the last year when my back has been bad he has handled the bulk of the cooking. Fortunately he is gluten free too, although has no concerns about soy and corn, so I have to check what he buys Guess I'm pretty lucky!!

Yeah, you are very lucky--esp. with that man! Though with the hospital I wouldn't completely trust the gluten free menu. There is gluten-free and gluten-free! if you know what I mean...Best to check it out. Many people really don't get the whole problem with CC or little things like natural flavors, and additives and fillers if they aren't obvious.

[NicoleAJ]

When I was in the hospital for 8 days, I was assured that I would have gluten free foods. I even talked to the nutritionist on staff about it, but as she said, her orders do not always go through, particularly when it comes to issues of cross contamination. They kept sending me pasta, bread, rubbery-looking salisbury steak. Of course I was also on a liquid only diet while I was there, and so the food selection was particularly inappropriate for my needs. My husband brought me gluten free broth, gluten-free popsicles, and ensure, which the nurses kept in their fridge in the nurses' station and heated up for me at meal time. I worked out find since I couldn't eat solids anyway, but I realized just how vulnerable I would be without my husband there to bring the food in for me.

[Nancym]

I'd probably see about getting a personal chef familiar with gluten free cooking. Not sure how much that would cost though. Another thought is finding a restaurant you trust and having their meals delivered. Another thing that might help would be to just eat once a day. Then at least you don't have to worry 3x a day! Or perhaps I'd try to live on protein shakes for my stay.

If you knew ahead of time you could prepare frozen meals in advance and possibly get the hospital to microwave them for you.

On the other hand, your odds of landing in the hospital without advance knowledge are probably pretty small if you're not already dealing with serious health issues.