Italian Restaurant, Framingham Ma--Help Me!

[brett31em]

Today, a friend of mine and I went to an Italian restaurant which advertises their gluten free menu. I had been once before, and everything was really good! This time, I went and ordered a veal dish with a side of gluten free pasta. When the pasta arrived, it looked suspiciously similar to regular pasta, so I made the waiter go back in the kitchen and make sure. He said it absolutely was, and even gave me the brand name. Halfway through the side dish, I made my friend taste the pasta and she said she couldn't tell if it was or wasn't (there was a lot of sauce on it). I didn't finish my entree because I was full.

An hour later, at the mall, I began to get that crazy hunger and pain feeling that I used to get pre-gluten free diet...like as though I had never eaten. I called back, spoke with the manager, and sure enough...regular pasta. I WAS SO MAD. I don't know if people understand that we all don't do gluten free for fun.

Anyhow...my question is...I am still in the process of trying to figure out if I 100% HAVE Celiac (even though my dietitian thinks I def. do). Many crazy symptoms of mine have disappeared on the gluten free diet. This incident seems to confirm it for me, because it was my stomach that told me I ate regular pasta. Does this make sense to you guys?

[psawyer]

Well, it makes some sense. But some gluten-free pasta is so good that most people cannot tell that it is gluten-free. Tinkyada brown rice pasta will "fool" many people into believing that it is "real" pasta.

[brett31em]

So so true! But the manager told me I had been served the improper dish. I'm just wondering if you guys all think this is some sort of confirmation for my diagnosis.

[cassP]

So so true! But the manager told me I had been served the improper dish. I'm just wondering if you guys all think this is some sort of confirmation for my diagnosis.

it does not confirm a diagnosis - but dx this disease can be so tricky sometimes. False negatives are common and nonceliacs can still suffer from gluten. And some celiacs dont have any stomach issues. Dont know if you want to go back on gluten for tests....?? for many people on here, how they feel on the diet was diagnosis enough

And i LOVE Tinkyada pasta !!!!!

[brett31em]

Well I know it doesn't 'confirm' like a biopsy/gluten diet bloodwork...but the gluten free diet has reduced my bloating, spastic bowel, anxiety, and rash on inner elbow, so after being off gluten for about a month and then being able to tell, just from my stomach, that I ate regular pasta, I'm starting think that I might truly be a Celiac. When any of you get accidentally glutened, do you feel as though the food passes right through you? Then you get hunger pains like you haven't eaten for two days?

Some of my relatives have undiagnosed digestive issues, with some of their doctors saying "IBS," starting to seem REALLY suspicious.

[lucia]

If you are getting sick from eating gluten, then you need to stop eating it. You do get sick, which is how you knew that you were being glutened. Yes, take it as confirmation.

As for whether you have celiac disease, I don't think it matters. My doctor diagnosed me as "gluten intolerant" on the basis of my dietary response. (He believes gluten intolerance is a "young" form of celiac that left untreated would morph into full-blown celiac.) Keep in mind that even the tests to diagnose celiac have high false negatives.

[brett31em]

That's exactly what my research has told me...what you said makes perfect sense. Thank you so much lucia!

[cassP]

Well I know it doesn't 'confirm' like a biopsy/gluten diet bloodwork...but the gluten free diet has reduced my bloating, spastic bowel, anxiety, and rash on inner elbow, so after being off gluten for about a month and then being able to tell, just from my stomach, that I ate regular pasta, I'm starting think that I might truly be a Celiac. When any of you get accidentally glutened, do you feel as though the food passes right through you? Then you get hunger pains like you haven't eaten for two days?

Some of my relatives have undiagnosed digestive issues, with some of their doctors saying "IBS," starting to seem REALLY suspicious.

sorry, not trying to invalidate you at all. i dont doubt for a second that you shouldnt be eating gluten- i, personally am just one of those people who needs the dx for myself to be motivated and for people (esp. doctors and my family to take me seriously).

and i think IBS is a BS term. its a DX to ensure Big Pharma makes money off of Undiagnosed Celiac or food intolerances. whenever our medical system says that the "cause is unknown"... there IS a cause- they just havent figured it out yet- or they never learned it. IE: many dermatologists NEVER were taught about DH in school.

so, anyways, rambling now.

everybody is different in their gluten reactions. (in addition, my reactions also vary). im not one of those people who get automatic "D" and hunger pains. i normally get gastritis, and painful cramping, and "C", and STRANGE BM material.

the diet is proof enough- if it hurts you, then dont eat it.

[Gemini]

Today, a friend of mine and I went to an Italian restaurant which advertises their gluten free menu. I had been once before, and everything was really good! This time, I went and ordered a veal dish with a side of gluten free pasta. When the pasta arrived, it looked suspiciously similar to regular pasta, so I made the waiter go back in the kitchen and make sure. He said it absolutely was, and even gave me the brand name. Halfway through the side dish, I made my friend taste the pasta and she said she couldn't tell if it was or wasn't (there was a lot of sauce on it). I didn't finish my entree because I was full.

An hour later, at the mall, I began to get that crazy hunger and pain feeling that I used to get pre-gluten free diet...like as though I had never eaten. I called back, spoke with the manager, and sure enough...regular pasta. I WAS SO MAD. I don't know if people understand that we all don't do gluten free for fun.

Anyhow...my question is...I am still in the process of trying to figure out if I 100% HAVE Celiac (even though my dietitian thinks I def. do). Many crazy symptoms of mine have disappeared on the gluten free diet. This incident seems to confirm it for me, because it was my stomach that told me I ate regular pasta. Does this make sense to you guys?

Which Italian restaurant in Framingham made the mistake? I ask because I live near Framingham and cannot think of any Italian restaurant in that area which serves gluten-free food. I probably wouldn't go there anyway after what happened to you!

While your experience does not confirm having Celiac, I know what you mean by your reaction. I am a confirmed Celiac and always, always know when I have ingested even the smallest amounts. That familiar intestinal cramping and aching like a toothache for a couple of days comes from nothing else but a gluten hit. Trust what your body is telling you and remain gluten-free.

A diagnosis does not mean anyone will take you seriously, either. There is so much ignorance out there about food related illnesses, it's almost unbelievable. Most of it is denial based. Even though I nearly died from Celiac (seriously), I still get incredibly stupid comments from people about my being so diligent with the diet. I swear many think I am the one who is whacko! No one, except other Celiacs, believe how sick you can be from ingesting such small amounts of gluten. You have to brush off the ignorance and believe in what you are doing. The medical profession is mostly to blame for this because they insist on calling it IBS and refusing to test people for Celiac. Very, very frustrating!

[brett31em]

Which Italian restaurant in Framingham made the mistake? I ask because I live near Framingham and cannot think of any Italian restaurant in that area which serves gluten-free food. I probably wouldn't go there anyway after what happened to you!

While your experience does not confirm having Celiac, I know what you mean by your reaction. I am a confirmed Celiac and always, always know when I have ingested even the smallest amounts. That familiar intestinal cramping and aching like a toothache for a couple of days comes from nothing else but a gluten hit. Trust what your body is telling you and remain gluten-free.

A diagnosis does not mean anyone will take you seriously, either. There is so much ignorance out there about food related illnesses, it's almost unbelievable. Most of it is denial based. Even though I nearly died from Celiac (seriously), I still get incredibly stupid comments from people about my being so diligent with the diet. I swear many think I am the one who is whacko! No one, except other Celiacs, believe how sick you can be from ingesting such small amounts of gluten. You have to brush off the ignorance and believe in what you are doing. The medical profession is mostly to blame for this because they insist on calling it IBS and refusing to test people for Celiac. Very, very frustrating!

Hey there!! La Cantina on 135....

Lately I have been so frustrated because I can tell when I have eaten regular pasta..like I said, I get that severe hunger pain-esque feeling in my stomach not a half hour/one hour after eating it. However, I feel like there might be something else in the equation here...throughout various times in the menstrual cycle (mid month, before and during period) I retain some serious water, and my stomach looks pregnant. I'm a healthy, active 21 year old college student. Do you or anybody else know of hormonal issues related to Celiac that might be causing this type of water retention and bloating?

[Gemini]

Hey there!! La Cantina on 135....

Lately I have been so frustrated because I can tell when I have eaten regular pasta..like I said, I get that severe hunger pain-esque feeling in my stomach not a half hour/one hour after eating it. However, I feel like there might be something else in the equation here...throughout various times in the menstrual cycle (mid month, before and during period) I retain some serious water, and my stomach looks pregnant. I'm a healthy, active 21 year old college student. Do you or anybody else know of hormonal issues related to Celiac that might be causing this type of water retention and bloating?

I know it's pretty common for young women to retain water when their cycle is due but that sounds extreme. I know this sounds silly but are you drinking enough water? The more dehydrated you are, the more water you will retain. Salt is also a culprit in water retention and I am sure you want to hear that! Seriously though, I would keep track of really salty foods and maybe cut some of them out or down on them. Let's face it, when your cycle is due, there are cravings and salt is a biggie!

Other than that, maybe ask your doctor to run some blood work on hormone levels when you are bloated? I know some of the female hormones can cause bloating at certain times of the month but to be honest, I am 51 years old and those days are gone for me.....I can't remember all that goes along with that! Which isn't such a bad thing...... There is also the possibility of bacterial overgrowth/candida issues as those can cause bloating but usually with other symptoms like excessive gas or discomfort.

I know of La Cantina but haven't been there. Not sure if I want to, now! Take a look at this website as it's a fantastic resource for locating gluten-free places to eat. Open Original Shared Link Trust your instincts when it comes to recognizing non-gluten-free food at restaurants as it's saved me from making mistakes that would have me sick for days.

[powderprincess]

Hey there Brett31em

That's gross if you were served and ate regular pasta. Very scary. And good luck figuring out once and for all if you have celiac or not. I'm near Framingham, too, and there are a number of restaurants that I think would do a much better job. I work at the Bertucci's headquarters and there's one right on Rt9 in Framingham. We have a gluten-free menu (no pasta or pizza yet, but lots of good stuff & dessert), find the gluten-free menu on bertuccis.com. PF Chang's & Legal Seafood do a great job, too. I've found it's always a good idea to speak with a manager before you eat, even if there is a gluten-free menu.

J

[BreninMA]

Today, a friend of mine and I went to an Italian restaurant which advertises their gluten free menu. I had been once before, and everything was really good! This time, I went and ordered a veal dish with a side of gluten free pasta. When the pasta arrived, it looked suspiciously similar to regular pasta, so I made the waiter go back in the kitchen and make sure. He said it absolutely was, and even gave me the brand name. Halfway through the side dish, I made my friend taste the pasta and she said she couldn't tell if it was or wasn't (there was a lot of sauce on it). I didn't finish my entree because I was full.

An hour later, at the mall, I began to get that crazy hunger and pain feeling that I used to get pre-gluten free diet...like as though I had never eaten. I called back, spoke with the manager, and sure enough...regular pasta. I WAS SO MAD. I don't know if people understand that we all don't do gluten free for fun.

Anyhow...my question is...I am still in the process of trying to figure out if I 100% HAVE Celiac (even though my dietitian thinks I def. do). Many crazy symptoms of mine have disappeared on the gluten free diet. This incident seems to confirm it for me, because it was my stomach that told me I ate regular pasta. Does this make sense to you guys?

I know this post is old (I am newly gluten-free and new to this site) but I have EXCELLENT service and care at PapaRazzi on rte 9. Their gluten-free pizza crusts are so good that I buy them by the dozen (the will sell them to you for a buck each, frozen) and use them as not just pizza bases but bake them off plain for "flatbread". The minute you mention ANY food sensitivity or allergy, the manager comes over, talks to you about your particular issue - very low key, not embarrassing or fussy - and makes sure that every last thing you cover is taken care of. They are seriously above and beyond. And the food is DEEELISH!

[Gemini]

I know this post is old (I am newly gluten-free and new to this site) but I have EXCELLENT service and care at PapaRazzi on rte 9. Their gluten-free pizza crusts are so good that I buy them by the dozen (the will sell them to you for a buck each, frozen) and use them as not just pizza bases but bake them off plain for "flatbread". The minute you mention ANY food sensitivity or allergy, the manager comes over, talks to you about your particular issue - very low key, not embarrassing or fussy - and makes sure that every last thing you cover is taken care of. They are seriously above and beyond. And the food is DEEELISH!

Thank you for this tip! I am pretty close to Rt. 9 and know the restaurant, although I have never been there. That might change soon....

[AE Paul]

Framingham has:

Pizzeria Uno - gluten-free menu and a high allergy-friendliness rating

Bertucci's - gluten-free menu, GFRAP certified (Gluten-Free Restaurant Awareness Program) by GIG (Gluten Intolerance Group), and a high allergy-friendliness rating

Bugaboo Creek Steakhouse - gluten-free menu and a high allergy-friendliness rating

Melting Pot - GFRAP certified

Olive Garden - gluten-free alternatives listing

Hope this helps!

Paul