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Contaminated 3X In 2 Months Now!

sydneysmommy

By sydneysmommy
in Gluten-Free Restaurants

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sydneysmommy Apprentice
sydneysmommy
Posted

In the past 2 months now I have been contaminated by foolishly believing a restaurant's statement that they serve gluten free items. We even carefully ask if they are made on seperate cooking pans/ovens etc and are reassured!

At one point I was literally served the wrong bread and it was too late. The waitress felt SO bad and I could tell she was panicked as I had already made a bee-line for the restroom and was sick within minutes. PAIN! And believe it or not, this very popular Austin restaurant's manager NEVER came over to our table. Their consolation? 25% off our bill and free dessert.

The 2nd time was at PF Changs which has always been wonderful to me and I specifically asked for the gluten free menu and ordered the GLUTEN FREE better lemon chicken. I immediately had a reaction to it. My gut was in pain and the waitress looked at me and said "that isnt gluten free, I didn't know you wanted gluten free?". WELL DUH! I don't know how many times I could have used the term gluten free in a sentence more than I did!!!! oh my peas.

3rd time was a famous pizza chain here in Austin that carries great gluten free pizza from a local gluten-free bread distributor. I've previously asked if they bake the pizzas on the same rotation oven and they said no it's seperate. and I've never had a reaction before but last night I had an immediate reaction and am not sure what part of it was bad. the veggies? the chicken i added on top? I don't know. but I was in pain again.

I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO frustrated!

that is 3x now in 2 months and I know I'll have to deal with the reprecussions of autoimmune response to these incidences now for the next 6+ months. Migraines, and the usual flare ups of the cold or sinus infections I always come down with not to mention leg cramps and so on. I am TRYING so HARD to train for this marathon and this just REALLY frustrates me.

I just want to be NORMAL... and have NORMAL PEOPLE GOALS without running into this crap.

Gluten free has become this "craze" now that people do as a lifestyle for health reasons or weight loss and I notice in my city, it isn't taken so seriously anymore. They are forgetting that Gluten Free is and HAS BEEN for people who are MEDICALLY and PHYSICALLY effected by gluten. Not this "ewps, accidently ate it but that's okay" kind of thing.

I am SO HAPPY that so many restaurants are becoming aware of this but I'm afraid its not for the right reasons. I feel that Celiac Disease is a bit forgotten and "gluten free" is used as a term to describe certain lifestyles now.

this is my fear.

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ciavyn Contributor
ciavyn
Posted

Wow. I can certainly understand your frustration. It may be the restaurants you are frequenting, as there are several in my area that are wonderful about it, and very careful. Be sure to let those restaurants know about it, especially PF Changs. They advertise to gluten free communities, and that sort of "accident" is outrageous.

I can't speak to it being glamorized. Around here, we've got superserious gluten free folks and restaurants that are willing to accommodate our needs. Please let these restaurants you've visited know your reaction and the issues you've had. But also, in such a way to encourage them to be more careful, not to stop offering these options all together.

You have my full sympathy, let me tell you. I hate getting sick. I don't know how long you've been gluten-free, but for SOME folks, it does get a bit easier over time. I still react *blech* but the reaction is immediate, and then wanes a bit faster than it used to. It used to be quite violent and prolonged.

You may also want to consider going to smaller restaurants in the area, explaining what you need, and seeing if they will assist you in finding the right situation. That is what I've done, and it's been great. They are often more conscientious, and if you get a server who recognizes you, they'll work hard to remember what you need and get it right, every time.

Hang in there. :)

love2travel Mentor
love2travel
Posted

In the past 2 months now I have been contaminated by foolishly believing a restaurant's statement that they serve gluten free items. We even carefully ask if they are made on seperate cooking pans/ovens etc and are reassured!

At one point I was literally served the wrong bread and it was too late. The waitress felt SO bad and I could tell she was panicked as I had already made a bee-line for the restroom and was sick within minutes. PAIN! And believe it or not, this very popular Austin restaurant's manager NEVER came over to our table. Their consolation? 25% off our bill and free dessert.

The 2nd time was at PF Changs which has always been wonderful to me and I specifically asked for the gluten free menu and ordered the GLUTEN FREE better lemon chicken. I immediately had a reaction to it. My gut was in pain and the waitress looked at me and said "that isnt gluten free, I didn't know you wanted gluten free?". WELL DUH! I don't know how many times I could have used the term gluten free in a sentence more than I did!!!! oh my peas.

3rd time was a famous pizza chain here in Austin that carries great gluten free pizza from a local gluten-free bread distributor. I've previously asked if they bake the pizzas on the same rotation oven and they said no it's seperate. and I've never had a reaction before but last night I had an immediate reaction and am not sure what part of it was bad. the veggies? the chicken i added on top? I don't know. but I was in pain again.

I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO frustrated!

that is 3x now in 2 months and I know I'll have to deal with the reprecussions of autoimmune response to these incidences now for the next 6+ months. Migraines, and the usual flare ups of the cold or sinus infections I always come down with not to mention leg cramps and so on. I am TRYING so HARD to train for this marathon and this just REALLY frustrates me.

I just want to be NORMAL... and have NORMAL PEOPLE GOALS without running into this crap.

Gluten free has become this "craze" now that people do as a lifestyle for health reasons or weight loss and I notice in my city, it isn't taken so seriously anymore. They are forgetting that Gluten Free is and HAS BEEN for people who are MEDICALLY and PHYSICALLY effected by gluten. Not this "ewps, accidently ate it but that's okay" kind of thing.

I am SO HAPPY that so many restaurants are becoming aware of this but I'm afraid its not for the right reasons. I feel that Celiac Disease is a bit forgotten and "gluten free" is used as a term to describe certain lifestyles now.

this is my fear.

So sorry to hear this! We have zero gluten-free restaurants within about three hours' radius of here except a Boston Pizza that does serve gluten-free pizza (not too bad, actually). I have no reaction when glutened so have no clue whether it is TRULY gluten-free or not. Thankfully I would rather cook, anyway, but not everyone has the time or inclination. I have very little trust for restaurants, unfortunately. My husband and I regularly travel to Europe and have all kinds of troubles including eating at airports, lost in translation issues, and just plain not being informed about celiac disease or gluten intolerance. Sad, really, when you cannot trust eating out. :(

hnybny91 Rookie
hnybny91
Posted

IVY. I got glutened at Carrabbas my first venture out to eat off of a gluten free menu. I was throwing up in their bathroom half way through the meal. The only place I even trust now is PF Changs because of the fact that they put it on plates with their logo so you can be certain it is gluten free.

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