Avoid Being Accidentally Glutened!

With New Years Eve just two days away, lets take a look at ways you can avoid being accidently glutened.

First, take a snack with you incase there is not much (or anything at all) you can eat. A Kind Bar can fend off the starvation for example, there are several good choices out there. Find one you like and carry it with you. It is easier to make wise choices when you are not starving.

Second Plan ahead. When going to a restaurant check online for a menu and see if they have a gluten free  one. Several chains as well as independent restaurants are getting more gluten free friendly all the time. Know in advance what you want to order. Print the gluten free menu if they have one and take it with you. They are not always readily  available to the servers and that will save them having to find the menu. When there is not a gluten free menu, choose whole meats (as apposed to meat loafs, Gyro meat, etc.) that are not deep fried or breaded, battered, or sauced. You can request that they hold the sauce or put it on the side. Salads and vegetables are normally safe, just watch the toppings.  No croutons, no sauces or deep fried vegetables and be careful with dressings. Some of the toppings for meats can be troublesome. Long Horn Steak house tops everything with a lemon butter, it has flour in it. Ask to hold the lemon butter. Also, always ask for the manager and let them know you are gluten free so they can make sure the information gets to the kitchen.

Buffet and Hors d’ oeuvre parties. These can be the most problematic. Cross contamination can make a normally safe food unsafe. Cheese is generally safe, but when they surround it with crackers… well not safe anymore. Vegetables, fruits, meats (not meatballs! nothing breaded or in a sauce) are good choices.  Chances are there is nothing on the dessert buffet you can eat, you can always ask for a manager to be sure.

Friends and family gatherings. Talk to the host if you are comfortable. There is still a chance you will be glutened. When someone is not use to thinking about gluten, cross contamination, and mixing foods, there is a better than average chance a mistake will be made. Eat a small meal first so you can eat lighter and resist that big hunk of chocolate cake… and try to be patient. Any attempt on their part to accommodate you is huge. Be grateful for their care and concern.  Eat carefully, this can be particularly difficult as you do not want to offend your host, tread carefully.

Lastly, one of the hardest aspects of having to adhere to a particular diet is the social aspect. It is hard for some people to understand. Some people believe it is just a choice and not something that you have to do to stay healthy. Invitations will cease, comment are make with you are trying to order your food in a restaurant… Try to be patient with them. Over time they will realize that this is not a fad and they will come around. With time and care, you will get healthy and they will love seeing you feeling better.