First Time In Restaurant Since Diagnosis

[nvsmom]

I went out to eat for the first time since being diagnosed celiac a month ago. I thought I did everything right. I googled gluten-free restaurant options first, checked out the menus in advance, and picked a restaurant that has a well respected menu... I decided on Halo (in Calgary). It didn't go well.

I talked with the waiter and let him know I couldn't eat gluten. He brought me the much smaller gluten-free menu. OK. I ordered cedar planked salmon with roasted potatos, carrots and zucchini, and me an my friend split a greek salad (came on 2 plates), and reminded the waiter to tell the kitchen of my needs. It was wonderful food, sooo tastey, but about 15 minutes into the meal (when I was 3/4 done) I started to get the stomach ache. I didn't believe it. Had 2 more bites and couldn't deny it any longer. About an hour later the bloating and pain came and now the migraine is here.

I'm so disappointed that my first try didn't work out. Sooo disappointed. And bummed that my healing gets pushed back another week or so too. Grr.

Oh! I also had a fruity drink! Crap. I never have those. It was a strawberry daquiri (sp?), the first one I've ever had... maybe they made it with some fruity gluteny syrup! Argh. That was probably it, right? UGh,where's the smiley icon for virtually smacking your head on a table?! LOL

[GottaSki]

So sorry - no fun at all, but unfortunately very common

Perhaps it was the drink, but I'd guess cross contamination in the kitchen and/or gluten in seasonings on the salmon and potatoes or salad dressing. Could be a bit of each.

No smacking of the head icon needed -- what we need is for restaurants to become educated about gluten handling issues...truly they are the ones that need a gentle slap upside the head -- oops I meant we need to help educate them further

[love2travel]

The first thought that went through my mind when I read this post was that you did not fail - you did what you could. I, too, believe that it was most likely cross contamination. Maybe give it some time before you eat out again. And there is a good chance next time will be successful! Eating somewhere other than your own home is always a risk, unfortunately. Do not beat yourself up for this, either. Realize that this happens and that today is a new day.

[nvsmom]

Thanks Lisa and love2travel. Luckily my symptoms are not as extreme as many others so it only puts a damper on my days.

I'm away on vacation pretty quick so I'm planning lots of coolers full of food so I feel well. I'm sure I'll eat out and hopefully next time I'll have more luck.

[Piccolo]

It was cc. You had your fish in the cedar plank. That is porous wood and it is used for other foods.

Susan

[cavernio]

I thought that if you cooked on planks you used them once, or for one meal, and then tossed them. Not that I cook on cedar planks, but you buy in them in packages from the store for home use, for pretty cheap.

I could totally see restaurants having their own large, restaurant plank or something though. Have you worked in a kitchen where wood planks are reused susan?

Strawberry daiquiri made from a syrup probably has artificial and natural flavors, which may contain gluten, and it would have been my first guess of gluten.

[love2travel]

I thought that if you cooked on planks you used them once, or for one meal, and then tossed them. Not that I cook on cedar planks, but you buy in them in packages from the store for home use, for pretty cheap.

I could totally see restaurants having their own large, restaurant plank or something though. Have you worked in a kitchen where wood planks are reused susan?

Strawberry daiquiri made from a syrup probably has artificial and natural flavors, which may contain gluten, and it would have been my first guess of gluten.

You do use cedar planks only once as they char a lot, even with much soaking, and become pretty useless. In good restaurants the same thing but who knows with others?

[love2travel]

Thanks Lisa and love2travel. Luckily my symptoms are not as extreme as many others so it only puts a damper on my days.

I'm away on vacation pretty quick so I'm planning lots of coolers full of food so I feel well. I'm sure I'll eat out and hopefully next time I'll have more luck.

This celiac stuff certainly takes a lot of planning! I hope your vacation is even better than you expect.