Questions Concerning Eating Out

[glutengal]

Just wondering if being gluten free we are supposed to use gluten free personal products such as deodorant, toothpaste, soap, laundry and dish soap, toilet paper etc. When you go out to eat in a restaurant that has a gluten free menu you sometimes have to worry about cc issues with your food. What about the fact that the dishes you are eating off of are probably washed with soap that is not gluten free? If it is important at home, shouldn't it be an issue when eating out? Also washing your hands in the bathroom where the soap is probably not gluten free. Just wondering if others worry about the issue cc with products in restaurants or bathrooms such as soap and toilet paper?

[kareng]

I have found that dish soap is gluten-free. The problem might be the bathroom soap as wheat germ oil is added to things to make it soft, shiny and stick to hair or skin. But even then, most of the unfancy handsoaps probably don't have that.

Would like to know what toliet paper, laundry soap, dish soap or toothpaste has gluten so I can avoid them. I haven't found this to be an issue yet.

[bincongo]

I have found that dish soap is gluten-free. The problem might be the bathroom soap as wheat germ oil is added to things to make it soft, shiny and stick to hair or skin. But even then, most of the unfancy handsoaps probably don't have that.

Would like to know what toliet paper, laundry soap, dish soap or toothpaste has gluten so I can avoid them. I haven't found this to be an issue yet.

Crest and Colgate are safe which is the most important thing but I too wonder about soap.

[sa1937]

Crest and Colgate are safe which is the most important thing but I too wonder about soap.

As far as I know, Soft Soap is gluten free. At least I use it in both the kitchen and shower and haven't had a problem.

Or are you talking about laundry soap/detergent?

[Gemini]

Just wondering if being gluten free we are supposed to use gluten free personal products such as deodorant, toothpaste, soap, laundry and dish soap, toilet paper etc. When you go out to eat in a restaurant that has a gluten free menu you sometimes have to worry about cc issues with your food. What about the fact that the dishes you are eating off of are probably washed with soap that is not gluten free? If it is important at home, shouldn't it be an issue when eating out? Also washing your hands in the bathroom where the soap is probably not gluten free. Just wondering if others worry about the issue cc with products in restaurants or bathrooms such as soap and toilet paper?

The most basic thing you have to remember is that you have to ingest gluten into your GI tract to have a reaction. All of the books and medical literature that are out there regarding what has to be gluten-free clearly state that washing with soap is a non-issue, unless you are using a specific soap for your face or skin that may contain a gluten component AND you ingest that soap into your mouth. It's a choice issue and not medically necessary unless you feel you cannot wash without ingesting the product. You cannot absorb gluten through the skin as the molecule is too large.

As far as washing your dishes, you do rinse them well, don't you? I have never found a dish detergent that contained gluten anyway but as long as you rinse well, there would be no worry with CC. I would suggest getting a reputable book on Celiac Disease as they cover these issues and they are necessary to learn the right way so you won't live in fear about how to live gluten-free successfully. Dr. Peter Green's book called Celiac Disease: The Hidden Epidemic is excellent and written by one of the leading Celiac researchers/doctors out there. Many of the myths you hear are not true and are well explained in this book. I highly recommend it.