Going Out?

[Kate35]

The nature of my work involves meeting people which inevitably involves going out and eating out. I always get nervous when ordering but at the same time I don't want to attract too much attention and cause my disease to become atopic of conversation.... How do you handle it? What do you typically order? I am most,y having problems with "let's meet at this coffee place for deserts" thing... Thank you! This is a great group! Hopefully I will be able to offer advice one day myself...

[JNBunnie1]

I'd say the 'coffee place for desserts' thing is pretty easy- get a fancy coffee for dessert. Say you're full?

[Adalaide]

I think the coffee place is a great idea. I agree that a simple "I don't eat sweets" and a fancy coffee or tea should do the trick.

[Kate35]

Are you concerned about coffe or tea being contaminated with gluten? What kind of "fancy coffee"? Do you not even bring it up (gluten issue) at the restaurant? Ideally, I would like to not mention it.

[Adalaide]

You can check the Torani website to see which flavors contain gluten, but the list is extremely short and if you order coffees flavored with those it won't be a problem. I don't drink coffee myself but love to indulge in a nice rooibos chai latte occasionally.

If you screen places ahead of time you won't have any issues when you go. You can quickly and simply address it with a "that is still gluten free, right?" and carry on without drawing attention. Although in my case, with tea, spice and milk I wouldn't be concerned or bother if I were worried about issues with the people I was with. Of course, if you react like I react to the slightest contamination you need to be careful about being sure you choose a place that you are 100% comfortable with. You are better off being "that celiac person" than the person who had to use the restroom 6 times in a 40 minute coffee meeting.

[Juliebove]

Gluten is not an issue for me but if it were, I likely wouldn't have coffee at a place that served desserts. Too much risk of cross contamination. Unless perhaps they made the desserts elsewhere. And even then there is still the chance of it. Does this place serve fresh fruit? If so, that might be an option. But even at that there could be cross contamination.

I used to meet up with some people at a coffee place. I just got a bottle of water because frankly I didn't like their coffee or their tea. And I don't eat dresserts.

[Adalaide]

I used to be dear friends with a family that owned a small coffee shop. The desserts were all made in the back kitchen and the coffees and teas were all made out front right in front of you, absolutely no risk there. There is no way in hell I will eat a fruit salad in a place that handles gluten. That is far riskier than ordering a drink unless you grill them about their cutting boards and should never be done.

[Takala]

Get a beverage that you think is safe, and have a safe, gluten-free snack in your purse or briefcase to eat with it.

Example, recently I decided to risk this, and got the plain coffee, and put half and half in it, but, to my surprise, there was a gluten free snack bar with acceptable ingredients for sale at the counter, (this is rare for me) so I got that, instead of eating the one in my purse. My friends already know I have a food "glitch," and I will be intently reading labels, so this is no big deal. If anyone would ask I tell them the truth - I don't want to get a migraine, and then have vision problems, which is how this would start off, as I get neurological symptoms. And I'm a bit leery of coffee shops, because I've gotten hammered a few times, so it's best to stick to really plain things. You can also carry your own tea bags and sweeteners, and just get hot water, if you think you'll have a problem. I've gotten the wrong tea (with gluten in the flavorings) at the name brand place inspite of ordering plain, and I was not a happy camper.

There are a lot of people avoiding all sorts of different ingredients for many different reasons healthwise, so really, avoiding gluten is no different than avoiding sugar, or avoiding aspertame, or saturated fats, it is only the reaction that differs from person to person.