Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

First Time Going Out For Dinner Since Diagnosed?

CourtneyLee

Recommended Posts

CourtneyLee Contributor
CourtneyLee
Posted

I know i ask alot of questions! Sorry guys.

I got diagnosed with celiac a month and a bit ago and next week will be the first time i go out to dinner with my friends.

The place we're going to has no gluten free foods, with the meals that the have that don't contain gluten, there is a chance of cross contamination (i emailed them)

SO, i'm just wondering if there's any tips or tricks to going out like this, it's making me really upset because i want to go as it is her birthday, but all i will be able to do is drink soft drink or water :(

ANY TIPS?

THANKYOU :D xo

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


lizziebee Apprentice
lizziebee
Posted

I know i ask alot of questions! Sorry guys.

I got diagnosed with celiac a month and a bit ago and next week will be the first time i go out to dinner with my friends.

The place we're going to has no gluten free foods, with the meals that the have that don't contain gluten, there is a chance of cross contamination (i emailed them)

SO, i'm just wondering if there's any tips or tricks to going out like this, it's making me really upset because i want to go as it is her birthday, but all i will be able to do is drink soft drink or water :(

ANY TIPS?

THANKYOU :D xo

hey girlie dont worry i understand your frustration on trying to find food why not bring a little snack in your purse your their to have fun with your friends dont let silly ol food get in your way well i hope this helps

(: lots of love lizzie bee

123bree7797 Newbie
123bree7797
Posted

I know i ask alot of questions! Sorry guys.

I got diagnosed with celiac a month and a bit ago and next week will be the first time i go out to dinner with my friends.

The place we're going to has no gluten free foods, with the meals that the have that don't contain gluten, there is a chance of cross contamination (i emailed them)

SO, i'm just wondering if there's any tips or tricks to going out like this, it's making me really upset because i want to go as it is her birthday, but all i will be able to do is drink soft drink or water :(

ANY TIPS?

THANKYOU :D xo

ask them for the manager and talk with him about your aleragy

Npealer Rookie
Npealer
Posted

I hope that you can find something when you go out. I just was diagnosed last week and went out with a friend today for lunch, thought I had ordered something safe but now I am not sure :unsure: The best advice I keep seeing is don't be afraid to ask. Goodluck!

Jungle Rookie
Jungle
Posted

I vote bring food with you. Then when their food arrives you can pull your sandwich etc. out and enjoy your evening and not worry about it. After my first meal out I will always have snacks with me so I don't have to worry about it and I can just enjoy the time with others.

CourtneyLee Contributor
CourtneyLee
Posted
  • Author

Thanks so much guys! I'm going out tonight and it turns out that it's a gluten free friendly place, thankgod! :D

  • 4 weeks later...
kellynolan82 Explorer
kellynolan82
Posted

It's something we've gotta be prepared for. Really talk to the restaurant manager though. It's really important that this is done as many restaurant managers and chefs I find are willing to talk (particularly in the early hours of the afternoon). Hope all goes/went well :)

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


thindery Newbie
thindery
Posted

My wife can't eat gluten and we find it a constant struggle when we want to go out with friends. It almost feels like it is more trouble then it is worth sometimes. However, we always make it clear to our friends that we will ONLY go out to eat if we can find a safe gluten free restaurant. We don't mean to be harsh or unfriendly, but it is not worth 3 or 4 days of pain for a 1-2 hour evening with some old friends. Most of the time we can find something, and if we can't we just meat up after they eat dinner.

We really like PF Changs. They seem to go really out of the way to make sure food is gluten free. They only put the food on special "PF Chang" logo plates, so we know that if it is a plain plate with no logo, something is wrong. They cook the gluten free items sepparate from the other meals to minimize any change of cross-contamination. Oh, and they have a gluten free menu on the regular menu with many options.

We make sure to do all the homework we can before we go out. We will google "gluten free (city name)" and typically you will see some options pop up. if you read reviews from people you can sometimes find the gluten free ones and their experience.

The good thing is that it seems gluten free is becoming more recognized and I think we will continue to see more and more dining out gluten free options in the future.

ll79 Apprentice
ll79
Posted

I use the Gluten Free Registary. You can just type it into the search engine and it basically shows you all the restaurants that offer gluten free menus in your area. Outback Steakhouse has a very good gluten free menu and most pizza places offer gluten free pizza like Barros and Street of New York. Good Luck!

CourtneyLee Contributor
CourtneyLee
Posted
  • Author

I use the Gluten Free Registary. You can just type it into the search engine and it basically shows you all the restaurants that offer gluten free menus in your area. Outback Steakhouse has a very good gluten free menu and most pizza places offer gluten free pizza like Barros and Street of New York. Good Luck!

Thanks so much!

  • 2 months later...
janineisaceliac Newbie
janineisaceliac
Posted

Do some research! Search something like "gluten free menu (your zip code)" into Google, or go onto your favorite restaurant's website and peruse the menu. If you like salads, you'll always be able to find something, just be sure to order a hearty one without croutons and a simple dressing, or even just tossed with olive oil or a touch of honey. Call up some local restaurants and see if they have a gluten free menu.

Also, I would suggest getting a card. I have one from the Gluten Intolerance Group that lists the foods that are not okay, and it always settles any issues with the chef. It's really, really rude to bring food with you, and I'm sure if you talk with the manager/chef ahead of time, they'll be able to come up with something.

Whenever you go out to eat, even if there is a gluten-free menu or gluten-free options, there is always a chance of cross-contamination, just because there's no way to ensure that the area and tools that they used to prepare your meal are entirely free of any and all gluten. If they take the proper precautions, your meal will be gluten-free, and any contamination will be minimal. If you don't make a habit of eating glutenous foods, you shouldn't encounter health problems with a small amount of gluten from cross contamination :)

  • 4 weeks later...
krystynycole Contributor
krystynycole
Posted

Most places you can get a salad with chicken and your fav add ons!

Poppi Enthusiast
Poppi
Posted

Do some research! Search something like "gluten free menu (your zip code)" into Google, or go onto your favorite restaurant's website and peruse the menu. If you like salads, you'll always be able to find something, just be sure to order a hearty one without croutons and a simple dressing, or even just tossed with olive oil or a touch of honey. Call up some local restaurants and see if they have a gluten free menu.

Also, I would suggest getting a card. I have one from the Gluten Intolerance Group that lists the foods that are not okay, and it always settles any issues with the chef. It's really, really rude to bring food with you, and I'm sure if you talk with the manager/chef ahead of time, they'll be able to come up with something.

Whenever you go out to eat, even if there is a gluten-free menu or gluten-free options, there is always a chance of cross-contamination, just because there's no way to ensure that the area and tools that they used to prepare your meal are entirely free of any and all gluten. If they take the proper precautions, your meal will be gluten-free, and any contamination will be minimal. If you don't make a habit of eating glutenous foods, you shouldn't encounter health problems with a small amount of gluten from cross contamination :)

I'm not even sure where to start here. I am going to try to be polite.

1. It is not "really, really rude" to bring food with you if the food available is dangerous. There is nothing wrong with ordering a drink and then nibbling on a Lara bar or some crackers and cheese while everyone else eats. Nobody is suggesting she lay out a picnic blanket and an 8 course meal. You should think carefully before you suggest that this young woman makes herself sick just to conform to someone else's idea of good manners.

2. This statement.."If you don't make a habit of eating glutenous foods, you shouldn't encounter health problems with a small amount of gluten from cross contamination " :blink: You could not possibly be more wrong. A small amount of gluten from cross contamination results in WEEKS of pain for me. The digestive upset only lasts a day but the back pain from even an invisible amount of gluten can take up to a month to go away for me. Not to mention the damage it is doing on the inside.

love2travel Mentor
love2travel
Posted

I'm not even sure where to start here. I am going to try to be polite.

1. It is not "really, really rude" to bring food with you if the food available is dangerous. There is nothing wrong with ordering a drink and then nibbling on a Lara bar or some crackers and cheese while everyone else eats. Nobody is suggesting she lay out a picnic blanket and an 8 course meal. You should think carefully before you suggest that this young woman makes herself sick just to conform to someone else's idea of good manners.

2. This statement.."If you don't make a habit of eating glutenous foods, you shouldn't encounter health problems with a small amount of gluten from cross contamination " :blink: You could not possibly be more wrong. A small amount of gluten from cross contamination results in WEEKS of pain for me. The digestive upset only lasts a day but the back pain from even an invisible amount of gluten can take up to a month to go away for me. Not to mention the damage it is doing on the inside.

I agree ADAMANTLY with Sara on both counts. When I read "...you shouldn't encounter health problems with a small amount of gluten from cross contamination" I was totally floored. Cross contamination creates havoc in our bodies. It takes only a few crumbs to make us very, very sick (even if we do not feel sick our insides run amok). Heck, if you have some gluten through CC without worrying about it you may as well just eat some gluten at the same time! Sorry to be harsh but this is a huge misconception.

  • 2 weeks later...
CourtneyLee Contributor
CourtneyLee
Posted
  • Author

Do some research! Search something like "gluten free menu (your zip code)" into Google, or go onto your favorite restaurant's website and peruse the menu. If you like salads, you'll always be able to find something, just be sure to order a hearty one without croutons and a simple dressing, or even just tossed with olive oil or a touch of honey. Call up some local restaurants and see if they have a gluten free menu.

Also, I would suggest getting a card. I have one from the Gluten Intolerance Group that lists the foods that are not okay, and it always settles any issues with the chef. It's really, really rude to bring food with you, and I'm sure if you talk with the manager/chef ahead of time, they'll be able to come up with something.

Whenever you go out to eat, even if there is a gluten-free menu or gluten-free options, there is always a chance of cross-contamination, just because there's no way to ensure that the area and tools that they used to prepare your meal are entirely free of any and all gluten. If they take the proper precautions, your meal will be gluten-free, and any contamination will be minimal. If you don't make a habit of eating glutenous foods, you shouldn't encounter health problems with a small amount of gluten from cross contamination :)

"If you don't make a habit of eating glutenous foods, you shouldn't encounter health problems with a small amount of gluten from cross contamination :) "

Sorry, next time I go out to eat I'll take a microscope with me to make sure I don't eat any microscopic amounts :lol:

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,553
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Jennifer CCC
    Newest Member
    Jennifer CCC
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.4k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Scott Adams
      Taken Seriously

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      Your post demonstrates the profound frustration and isolation that so many in the Celiac community feel, and I want to thank you for channeling that experience into advocacy. The medical gaslighting you endured for decades is an unacceptable and, sadly, a common story, and the fact that you now have to "school" your own GI specialist speaks volumes about the critical lack of consistent and updated education. Your idea to make Celiac Disease a reportable condition to public health authorities is a compelling and strategic one. This single action would force the system to formally acknowledge the prevalence and seriousness of the disease, creating a concrete dataset that could drive better research funding, shape medical school curricula, and validate the patient experience in a way that individual stories alone often cannot. It is an uphill battle, but contacting representatives, as you have done with Adam Gray, is exactly how change begins. By framing it as a public health necessity—a matter of patient safety and protection from misdiagnosis and neglect—you are building a powerful case. Your voice and your perseverance, forged through thirty years of struggle, are exactly what this community needs to ensure that no one else has to fight so hard just to be believed and properly cared for.
    • Scott Adams
      Looking for a gluten-free roomie in Denver CO

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      I had no idea there is a "Louisville" in Colorado!😉 I thought it was a typo because I always think of the Kentucky city--but good luck!
    • Scott Adams
      Allergy medication: cetirizine by the HealthA2Z is it gluten free?

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      Navigating medication safety with Celiac disease can be incredibly stressful, especially when dealing with asthma and severe allergies on top of it. While I don't have personal experience with the HealthA2Z brand of cetirizine, your caution is absolutely warranted. The inactive ingredients in pills, known as excipients, are often where gluten can be hidden, and since the FDA does not require gluten-free labeling for prescription or over-the-counter drugs, the manufacturer's word is essential. The fact that you cannot get a clear answer from Allegiant Health is a significant red flag; a company that is confident its product is gluten-free will typically have a customer service protocol to answer that exact question. In situations like this, the safest course of action is to consider this product "guilty until proven innocent" and avoid it. A better alternative would be to ask your pharmacist or doctor to help you identify a major national brand of cetirizine (like Zyrtec) whose manufacturer has a verified, publicly stated gluten-free policy for that specific medication. It's not worth the risk to your health when reliable, verifiable options are almost certainly available to you. You can search this site for USA prescriptions medications, but will need to know the manufacturer/maker if there is more than one, especially if you use a generic version of the medication: To see the ingredients you will need to click on the correct version of the medication and maker in the results, then scroll down to "Ingredients and Appearance" and click it, and then look at "Inactive Ingredients," as any gluten ingredients would likely appear there, rather than in the Active Ingredients area. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/   
    • Scott Adams
      Protein or fat?

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      What you're describing is indeed familiar to many in the Celiac community, especially in the early stages of healing. When the intestinal villi are damaged from Celiac disease, they struggle to properly digest and absorb fats, a condition known as bile acid malabsorption. This can cause exactly the kind of cramping and spasms you're seeing, as undigested fats can irritate the sensitive gut lining. It is highly plausible that her reactions to dairy and eggs are linked to their higher fat content rather than the proteins, especially since she tolerates lean chicken breast. The great news is that for many, this does improve with time. As her gut continues to heal on a strict gluten-free diet, her ability to produce the necessary enzymes and bile to break down fats should gradually return, allowing her to slowly tolerate a wider variety of foods. It's a slow process of healing, but your careful approach of focusing on low-fat, nutrient-dense foods like seeds and avocado is providing her system the best possible environment to recover. Many people with celiac disease, especially those who are in the 0-2 year range of their recovery, have additional food intolerance issues which could be temporary. To figure this out you may need to keep a food diary and do an elimination diet over a few months. Some common food intolerance issues are dairy/casein, eggs, corn, oats, and soy. The good news is that after your gut heals (for most people who are 100% gluten-free this will take several months to two years) you may be able to slowly add some these items back into your diet after the damaged villi heal. This article may be helpful: Thank you for sharing your story—it's a valuable insight for other parents navigating similar challenges.
    • Beverage
      Diagnosed celiac for 1-2 months ago and everything makes me bloated.

      By Beverage · Posted

      I had a very rough month after diagnosis. No exaggeration, lost so much inflammatory weight, I looked like a bag of bones, underneath i had been literally starving to death. I did start feeling noticeably better after a month of very strict control of my kitchen and home. What are you eating for breakfast and lunch? I ignored my doc and ate oats, yes they were gluten free, but some brands are at the higher end of gluten free. Lots of celics can eat Bob's Red Mill gluten-free oats, but not me. I can now eat them, but they have to be grown and processed according to the "purity protocol" methods. I mail order them, Montana Gluten-Free brand. A food and symptoms and activities log can be helpful in tracking down issues. You might be totally aware, but I have to mention about the risk of airborne gluten. As the doc that diagnosed me warned . . Remember eyes, ears, nose, and mouth all lead to your stomach and intestines.  Are you getting any cross contamination? Airborne gluten? Any pets eating gluten (they eat it, lick themselves, you pet them...)? Any house remodeling? We live in an older home, always fixing something. I've gotten glutened from the dust from cutting into plaster walls, possibly also plywood (glues). The suggestions by many here on vitamin supplements also really helped me. I had some lingering allergies and asthma, which are now 99% gone. I was taking Albuterol inhaler every hour just to breathe, but thiamine in form of benfotiamine kicked that down to 1-2 times a day within a few days of starting it. Also, since cutting out inflammatory seed oils (canola, sunflower, grapeseed, etc) and cooking with real olive oil, avocado oil, ghee, and coconut oil, I have noticed even greater improvement overall and haven't used the inhaler in months! It takes time to weed out everything in your life that contains gluten, and it takes awhile to heal and rebuild your health. At first it's mentally exhausting, overwhelming, even obsessive, but it gets better and second nature.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.