CeliacAndCfsCrusader

For those monitoring this thread, here are some options:

• Panzano (higher-end, owner has Celiac)
• PF Chang's, 15th and Market (near free shuttle stop)
• Chipotle, multi
• Maggiano's (middle of 16th St pedestrian mall, near theater)
• Spaghetti Factory (have not been to this location)
• BTW, Coor's Field has one dedicated gluten-free food outlet on the main concourse, limited selection, but ALL gluten-free choices incl beer.

I prefer Outback. I've dined there dozens of times without one issue of C/C.

Love Outback!

PS: Yes, you have to still be careful and verify everything when you order and when it arrives at table. I do this at mom's house too!

Boulder Sausage is great, Costco may have it in the cheese aisle (it's local to me).

Jones is another that is easy to find.

BTW: Hormel Pepperoni is easy to find and is gluten free.

I'm probably the biggest advocate of Chipotle there is, but that doesn't mean they can ever be perfect.

I've been enjoying their food since they opened about 15 years ago, the last 5 being since I was diagnosed with Celiac.

My experience is that the CO run stores are cleaner and better run overall. This may be part of the problem.

Since the OP is newly diagnosed, I understand how stressful eating out is.

Maybe this will help.

• The only thing in the store that has gluten is the wheat tortilla. But the warming machine is definitely cc'd, so don't use it ever.
• The only ingredient that may have been a worry is the vinegar in the hot red sauce, but vinegar is usually ok'd by us Celiacs (some choose to avoid it).
• Yes, the spoons sometimes touch the tortilla, but usually they just dump it on top, and it doesn't. They will change spoons and gloves if you ask (I don't bother).
• I have never once got cc'd there and I eat there at least 3x per week (few choices near my job and I trust them).
• I ONLY ever order a Burrito Bowl. This way there is no possible cc from salad, dressings, taco shells etc.
• I skip the "extras", even though they are gluten-free, they are more easily cc'd. I order MEAT, BEANS, Fajitas and Meat. That's it.
• If I ever see a dirty store, I'm more careful
• I eat their chips all the time. No problem, it's a dedicated fryer.
• I verified all the meats are gluten-free, they even let me read the label(s) when I was first diagnosed

We all have to be careful, I understand, but eating at Chipotle's CAN be done easily. I'm sensitive to cc and have never had an issue.

Good Luck!

Open Original Shared Link

This is one link, it was widely reported on Yahoo and MSN around the time of my original post.

It's interesting, the difference between a "Forum" and a "Blog".....

As someone who has worked in restaurants, it's not unbelievable that this happens. In fact, it's unbelievable if you think it doesn't.

I thought I'd pass along something interesting that I read recently about their workers.

An employee mentioned in a blog that "employees like to experiment with the ingredients after hours"....he included the recipes for "home-made donuts".

They take rolls, douse them in milkshake mix and deep fry them.

So, in addition to the normal c/c that we endure, even places with "dedicated fryers" are suspect.

I don't assume ANY fast food and/or pizza place has 100% responsible employees. But, you would think that all of the good publicity they get, (this article also mentioned their terrific health benefits) would lead to better supervision.

Just thought you all should know.

As a newbie, I encourage you to read EVERY label. It's the best way to not only get educated, but also to help you learn the "suspect ingredients" much faster.

I know when I was first diagnosed, some trips to the grocery store were over an hour, as I was reading every label.

Good luck. It gets easier!

I think Gatorade is ok, but I seem to recall Powerade (some varieties) may have some gluten in it.....just an fyi.

Another vote for Against the Grain! In fact, I just finished a great meatball hero for dinner.

If you ask your local grocer, they may be able to specialty order for you (maybe a case at a time?).

Trust me (us) it's SOOOOO WORTH IT!

The best gluten-free anything I've found.

I was diagnosed with CFS at the age of 24. It took more than 6 months before I found a doctor that would verify "it wasn't in my head". Something I already knew.

I was young, buff and strong as an ox. Within days after coming down with something similar to Mono, I couldn't walk up a flight of stairs without sitting down.

You will find many, many people who can and will relate to your situation. Unfortunately, for me, I had to figure it out for myself.

Here's my two cents:

If you're not sleeping, this is paramount that you get this figured out. Your body cannot heal without proper sleep. I take 50 mg of Doxepin each night and I saw an immediate improvement in my sleep (I was no longer feeling "wired" while trying to sleep).

I made the mistake of "pushing myself" physically and thought I was invinceable. I should've dialed everything back immediately.

I was an "A" type personality, I learned to only worry/think about things that are truly important, not petty issues. I avoided stress and drama, it makes a world of difference. I became more selfish, because I had to be. It's ok, take care of yourself first.

I should point out this happened almost 25 years ago. I was very sick for about 2 years. I limited myself for another 2 or so. Everyone is different, trust your own instincts.

I would occasionally have "flare-ups", but since my Celiac diagnosis 5 years ago, I have had none. I can't draw a conclusive correlation between gluten and CFS, but I always felt it "was something chemical within me", as opposed to arthritis or something.

Good luck. I'd be happy to assist you in any way. Just ask.

Darn it, that's my old hometown!

I can vouch for the Pecan Pie, Apple Pie, Cupcakes and the soooo good Almond Scones.

Haven't tried the other items.

If a company says "may contain traces of gluten" AND someone is reporting a reaction, that's enough for me to choose another brand.

Thanks for the information!

I didn't see the show, but I'm always happy when even "half of our story" gets out.

I don't expect your average viewer to be overly interested in intestinal biopsies, stool changes, etc etc

If the mainstream media includeds a story about Celiac and features questions about symptoms and "talk to your doctor", it's a win for all of us.

No one show, no matter who is talking about it, will ever get it completely right.

Even Elizabeth Hasselback's ridiculous book, full of bad information, was probably a plus....since some of my acquaintances first learned of Celiac from seeing her interviewed. Awareness, IMHO, is a big part of the problem.

All good tips so far.

Remember to download some Italian phrases regarding having Celiac and take them with you to show to waiters, etc.

Also, pharmacies or drug stores can usually be found quite easily in Italy and often stock a selection of gluten-free food (pasta, bread, snacks, etc). I saw this prior to being diagnosed myself and wondered "why do they have a small display of groceries HERE?"

Well, it's because Italians take care of their Celiac citizens better than just about anyplace in the world (including testing, subsidies, etc). They treat it as a real public health concern.

Because they test each child, many more are properly diagnosed. Awareness breeds familiarity which equals great support for you!

Have a blast. We can't wait to go back.

As have you, apparently.

Also, the "Against the Grain" company makes a FANTASTIC Baguette.

Best "hero" bread I've had AND it's great as a side with Italian..

Find it. Order it. Love it.

You have to learn which establishments you trust and apply common sense.

I "might" trust a pizza joint....if I hadn't worked in one.

Just my two cents.

Ditto- I'm very sensitive and have no problems with their regular pepperoni.

One thing, their turkey pepperoni and I don't agree, but sometimes other turkey products bother me....maybe that's something that affects you too?

Sorry, I missed your response. Maybe things are different here in the US, but I'll stand by experience.

IMHO, pizza places are full of kids behind the scenes, no matter how much training, there will be tons of "fooling around" in back. Flour fights, wiping utensils on the same aprons, cleaning pans 1/2 way because there is a big game on tv and it's busy.....it's just too much of a risk for me personally.

I guess it all depends on what your tolerance is.

When I was a kid, I made pizza's at a local place.

Based on what I saw there, I would be hard-pressed to make it a safe environment for myself if I was once again behind the counter.

A pizza oven is FULL of old pieces of pizza crust. The counters are full of flour. The utensils, rags, pans and pizza board cannot be "protected" to remain uncontaminated IMHO.

FYI: I'm told that although Soba Noodles are listed as "buckwheat", which would be ok, they're actually often made with wheat as an ingredient as well.

I don't get it. If you try a food that makes you ill, don't eat it again. Food sensitives can be complicated , and not all roads lead to gluten.

I applaud those companies who are willing to work with us. It's not a proven, nor perfected science yet, AND I GET THAT.

I'm grateful for the effort.

You DO know that you can be c/c'd, without symptoms, and can still be causing damage to your intestines, right?

Yes, I'm sure I'm consuming gluten in trace amounts, whether I want to or not. But, to lessen the opportunities that gluten is killing me from the insides/out, I'll take every opportunity to NOT consume foods that are disclosed "may have been" processed on shared lines.

BTW, I have experience with food processing lines. Yes, they are cleaned between uses, but I wouldn't count on them being as clean as a Celiac patients would do for themselves. Sorry, they have a business to run...gluten is not their primary concern.

Amazon is great for the dry goods.

I would suggest putting together a list of things can be bought locally and trying to either find a volunteer, a senior services organization or even a personal shopper to do the shopping.

I know here in Denver, the local Kroger-affiliated supermarket does deliver. Perhaps there's another local chain where your mom is.

Good luck!

Count me in as one that says I don't eat food "processed in a factory that also processes wheat...."

Interestingly, Trader Joe's is coming to CO soon. Now I know to read every label...which I do anyway.