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

So Frustrated!

Marie1976

By Marie1976
in Gluten-Free Restaurants

Recommended Posts

Marie1976 Enthusiast
Marie1976
Posted

I usually cook because I'm vegan (as are hubby and kids) so it's easier to make meals at home. We do eat out occasionally; there are a couple local restaurants that are vegan friendly -- our favorite is a Thai restaurant.

I now feel like I can never eat out again. I went to a restaurant with my sister last weekend and was pleasantly surprised that they had gluten free penne pasta. But halfway through the meal I found a couple of (regular, not gluten-free) spaghetti noodles in my food. As if that is not bad enough, I even found a small piece of chicken in my pasta. So much for vegan and gluten free. (I should have complained but I didn't.)

What this tells me is that even the places that offer gluten-free food may not actually serve you gluten-free food. We are planning a trip to San Diego, where I always enjoy eating out because of the abundance of vegan restaurants but now I feel like canceling the trip because I don't want to deal with the stress of finding vegan, gluten free food.

What can I eat now when I go out? Salad? Is that my only option? I knew this diagnosis was going to be an inconvenience but this is even worse than I anticipated. Anyone have any vacation and/or restaurant survival tips for a gluten free vegan?

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Mahee Newbie
Mahee
Posted

I usually cook because I'm vegan (as are hubby and kids) so it's easier to make meals at home. We do eat out occasionally; there are a couple local restaurants that are vegan friendly -- our favorite is a Thai restaurant.

I now feel like I can never eat out again. I went to a restaurant with my sister last weekend and was pleasantly surprised that they had gluten free penne pasta. But halfway through the meal I found a couple of (regular, not gluten-free) spaghetti noodles in my food. As if that is not bad enough, I even found a small piece of chicken in my pasta. So much for vegan and gluten free. (I should have complained but I didn't.)

What this tells me is that even the places that offer gluten-free food may not actually serve you gluten-free food. We are planning a trip to San Diego, where I always enjoy eating out because of the abundance of vegan restaurants but now I feel like canceling the trip because I don't want to deal with the stress of finding vegan, gluten free food.

What can I eat now when I go out? Salad? Is that my only option? I knew this diagnosis was going to be an inconvenience but this is even worse than I anticipated. Anyone have any vacation and/or restaurant survival tips for a gluten free vegan?

Hi, I know this is a bit late, but I thought I would respond to this anyway.

I'm a vegan, and also recently gluten-free (3 months), and I know how hard it can be to eat out at restaurants. One suggestion I have would be to try to stick to vegan or vegetarian restaurants. I don't know what it's like in San Deigo, but I find in my city that restaurants that deal in dietary restrictions on a regular basis (such as veganism) also are more aware of other dietary issues, such as gluten-free diets. Another option is to scout out restaurants online, and email or call the restaurants that look promising and ask them what steps they take to ensure that their food is not contaminated. This will give you a good idea on whether or not they truly understand how to make safe gluten-free meals.

And it would also be best to pack some foods that can fit in a car, purse or back pack that you can carry with you such as granola bars, rice crackers or fruit. This might help you feel a little less stressed out and frustrated when you can't find something to eat in a restaurant.

And if it's summer when you go (or at least warm) you can always grab some veggies, hummus, etc. and have a picnic in a park while touring the city as an alternative to eating at a restaurant!

Juliebove Rising Star
Juliebove
Posted

I find that salad is one of the riskier things to order. They might still put the croutons on it even when you ask for them to be left off. Or they might put them on and then pick them off.

tarnalberry Community Regular
tarnalberry
Posted

Look for places that specialize in raw foods.

Take a look at Happy Cow and check out places that also do gluten free (it's sometimes listed).

Archived

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

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


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,902
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Patty6133
    Newest Member
    Patty6133
    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

    • Xravith
      Taking Probiotics but Still Getting Sick After Gluten – Advice?

      By Xravith · Posted

      Yes, you are right. Indeed, I’ve been feeling anemic since the beginning of this week, and today I felt horrible during a lecture at the university, I was trembling a lot and felt all my body incredibly heavy, so I had to come back home. I’ll do a blood test tomorrow, but I’m just worried about the possibility of it coming back negative. I’ve been eating two cookies in the morning as my only source of gluten over the past two weeks—could that affect the final result?
    • trents
      New (possible) celiac diagnosis

      By trents · Posted

      Welcome to the forum, @Judy M! Yes, he definitely needs to continue eating gluten until the day of the endoscopy. Not sure why the GI doc advised otherwise but it was a bum steer.  Celiac disease has a genetic component but also an "epigenetic" component. Let me explain. There are two main genes that have been identified as providing the "potential" to develop "active" celiac disease. We know them as HLA-DQ 2.5 (aka, HLA-DQ 2) and HLA-DQ8. Without one or both of these genes it is highly unlikely that a person will develop celiac disease at some point in their life. About 40% of the general population carry one or both of these two genes but only about 1% of the population develops active celiac disease. Thus, possessing the genetic potential for celiac disease is far less than deterministic. Most who have the potential never develop the disease. In order for the potential to develop celiac disease to turn into active celiac disease, some triggering stress event or events must "turn on" the latent genes. This triggering stress event can be a viral infection, some other medical event, or even prolonged psychological/emotional trauma. This part of the equation is difficult to quantify but this is the epigenetic dimension of the disease. Epigenetics has to do with the influence that environmental factors and things not coded into the DNA itself have to do in "turning on" susceptible genes. And this is why celiac disease can develop at any stage of life. Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition (not a food allergy) that causes inflammation in the lining of the small bowel. The ingestion of gluten causes the body to attack the cells of this lining which, over time, damages and destroys them, impairing the body's ability to absorb nutrients since this is the part of the intestinal track responsible for nutrient absorption and also causing numerous other food sensitivities such as dairy/lactose intolerance. There is another gluten-related disorder known as NCGS (Non Celiac Gluten Sensitivity or just, "gluten sensitivity") that is not autoimmune in nature and which does not damage the small bowel lining. However, NCGS shares many of the same symptoms with celiac disease such as gas, bloating, and diarrhea. It is also much more common than celiac disease. There is no test for NCGS so, because they share common symptoms, celiac disease must first be ruled out through formal testing for celiac disease. This is where your husband is right now. It should also be said that some experts believe NCGS can transition into celiac disease. I hope this helps.
    • Judy M
      New (possible) celiac diagnosis

      By Judy M · Posted

      My husband has had lactose intolerance for his entire life (he's 68 yo).  So, he's used to gastro issues. But for the past year he's been experiencing bouts of diarrhea that last for hours.  He finally went to his gastroenterologist ... several blood tests ruled out other maladies, but his celiac results are suspect.  He is scheduled for an endoscopy and colonoscopy in 2 weeks.  He was told to eat "gluten free" until the tests!!!  I, and he know nothing about this "diet" much less how to navigate his in daily life!! The more I read, the more my head is spinning.  So I guess I have 2 questions.  First, I read on this website that prior to testing, eat gluten so as not to compromise the testing!  Is that true? His primary care doctor told him to eat gluten free prior to testing!  I'm so confused.  Second, I read that celiac disease is genetic or caused by other ways such as surgery.  No family history but Gall bladder removal 7 years ago, maybe?  But how in God's name does something like this crop up and now is so awful he can't go a day without worrying.  He still works in Manhattan and considers himself lucky if he gets there without incident!  Advice from those who know would be appreciated!!!!!!!!!!!!
    • Scott Adams
      Patiently Waiting to See Results

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      You've done an excellent job of meticulously tracking the rash's unpredictable behavior, from its symmetrical spread and stubborn scabbing to the potential triggers you've identified, like the asthma medication and dietary changes. It's particularly telling that the rash seems to flare with wheat consumption, even though your initial blood test was negative—as you've noted, being off wheat before a test can sometimes lead to a false negative, and your description of the other symptoms—joint pain, brain fog, stomach issues—is very compelling. The symmetry of the rash is a crucial detail that often points toward an internal cause, such as an autoimmune response or a systemic reaction, rather than just an external irritant like a plant or mites. I hope your doctor tomorrow takes the time to listen carefully to all of this evidence you've gathered and works with you to find some real answers and effective relief. Don't be discouraged if the rash fluctuates; your detailed history is the most valuable tool you have for getting an accurate diagnosis.
    • Scott Adams
      Gluten free beer ?

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      In this case the beer is excellent, but for those who are super sensitive it is likely better to go the full gluten-free beer route. Lakefront Brewery (another sponsor!) has good gluten-free beer made without any gluten ingredients.
×
×
  • 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.