gluten-free Thanksgiving Dinner Out

[Mom of a Celiac toddler]

I am new at this gluten-free thing, my almost 2 year old was diagnosed in August. We always go on vacation for Thanksgiving and this year we will be eating at a buffet. I am wondering if there are any items that I could for sure go for for him instead of having to bring all his own food.

Here are some of the items they have listed for their buffet:

Roast Turkey, Carved Glazed Ham, Yankee Pot Roast, Steamer Clams and Mussels, Smoked Pork Loin, Salad Bar and Asian Grill.

The year before last when we went there they had yams with marshmallows, mashed potatoes, pudding and ice cream.

Any suggestions?

[tarnalberry]

I would *NEVER* assume that ANYTHING is gluten free - particularly in a buffet. You'll have to call ahead and ask. (I'd bring food along, just in case.)

[lovegrov]

I am new at this gluten-free thing, my almost 2 year old was diagnosed in August. We always go on vacation for Thanksgiving and this year we will be eating at a buffet. I am wondering if there are any items that I could for sure go for for him instead of having to bring all his own food.

Here are some of the items they have listed for their buffet:

Roast Turkey, Carved Glazed Ham, Yankee Pot Roast, Steamer Clams and Mussels, Smoked Pork Loin, Salad Bar and Asian Grill.

The year before last when we went there they had yams with marshmallows, mashed potatoes, pudding and ice cream.

Any suggestions?

You really, really need to ask and not assume. Many places are helpful these days. Check on the turkey, clams and mussels, pork loin, yams,mashed potatoes pudding and ice cream. Some of that should be gluten-free. The ham glaze could have wheat and the pot roast is almost certainly out. Same with the Asian grill. Salad bar will have gluten-free stuff but watch for CC.

richard

[OptimisticMom42]

Ask the chef to cook separately for your child! All resorts do this now. They are required to take classes about CC. The public on the other hand, the folks touching the spoons know nothing. Don't chance messing up your vacation by making your child sick. Also which parent did he get his celiacs gene from? Why is this parent eating from the buffet? Call ahead or bring his food. I would never eat off a buffet ekkk. Blah yuck sneeze guard

[TrillumHunter]

I would think he's barely going to eat anything anyway. Why not just bring his food? They probably don't even charge for that age.

Optimisticmom, you can have the gene and not have any trouble with gluten. It's only when the gene gets activated and becomes celiac that it's a problem. LOTS of people have the gene.

[Ahorsesoul]

Since you know where you are going, email, call or stop in before the holidays arrive! They will be busy on the holiday and may not have time to research what you can have. If you ask early they can take the time needed to check ingredients. Stopping in to talk with the owner or chef will help. And if you can leave a gluten free dinning card that will help them decide what you can have. Do not expect them to research what is gluten free on a busy holiday when the place is hopping.

I do agree to bring his own food. When my kids were little I always took their meals in the restaurants. I packed a lunch box and a box of small toys for them. They could eat right away, no waiting to order or waiting for the food. Once done they could get out their toys to play with at the table. I'd have something for them to color with, a small color book, a few cars or small dolls, some clay and always a new little toy and candy as a surprise. I'd wrap these for them.

My kids would walk in with their little lunch boxes, we'd get stares from the other parents. My kids would be eating, theirs would be crying or screaming. My kids would be playing while the adults at the table could chat. Other kids were....yes, still screaming or whining that they wanted to go home. Then I would hear people saying they would pack a lunch box next time.

[luvs2eat]

The management can swear up and down that things are safe, but all it takes is one person to dip the bread stuffing spoon into the mashed potatoes to make your baby sick. I'd bring his own food, without a doubt!!

[Salax]

I agree, bring your own food. I live in Vegas....Buffets are crazy here. I would NEVER eat at one. I use to work in a casino, I hate to say it but generally speaking they could care less about cc. Really. It's sad but true.

[Mom of a Celiac toddler]

Thanks for all the comments! In response to who has the gene, we don't know. I have been tested for Celiac via a blood panel and came out negative, but my husband has yet to be tested. He doesn't want to hear the results (huge gluten fan)! We will bring his own food, they don't charge for him and he is going through this bad "I want what you have phase!" I thought it might be good if there was something like the potatoes and then pudding that he could at least feel like he is getting what we have. Today his brother had Mac and Cheese, so I fixed him his Annie's rice and cheese, it wasn't good enough, he wanted to see me dish up his from the same pan! Darn those smart kids!! So, even if I duplicate what the restaurant is going to serve I am sure we will still have our 2 yr old battle!

Thanks again! I am in a small town so we don't have support groups-you guys are it!! Great to know that no matter what I need you all are here!!