In continuing with Celiac Awareness, OAMM Staffer Lisa shares her fears about stepping from the confines of her own kitchen and eating out. Make sure to check out her other posts on her diagnosis of Celiac Disease, as well as being Sick, Celiac Sick. There will come a time when you don’t have a choice but to step out of the safety of your own kitchen and risk your health. You’ll find yourself soon saying, “You want me to go out for a meal at a ….GASP…..restaurant?”
My Comfort Zone
For months after my diagnosis of Celiac Disease, I didn’t venture far from my own kitchen for meals. Why would I when I had my stocked freezer, a designated gluten free cooking zone, and hundreds of gluten free recipes at my fingertips? I was becoming a very confident gluten free cook in my own kitchen. My freezer was stocked with quick lunch items, sweet treats, and family friendly gluten free entrees. I had rose to expert navigation at my local grocery stores gluten free aisles, and my pantry was stocked with those “essentials” as well.
The Fears
Potluck after church? Nope. Dinner Date with Hubby? Not unless I wanted to be sick. Lunch with the girls? I’ll pass. My social life went from pretty boring to non-existent. The fear of becoming “glutened” controlled my life. Though she diligently read up on cross contamination, and was always double checking if an ingredient was on my yes or no list, the simple act of eating at my parent’s house became overwhelming. Cross contamination and just plain lack of education of chefs and wait staff in my local rural community led to crippling anxiety. With “sick days” fresh in my mind, my nerves were a jumble at even the thought of attempting an outing that included food that I hadn’t personally prepped.
Taking Control and becoming Empowered
It took months before I was comfortable enough with my diagnosis of Celiac Disease to share the reason I had to opt out of social engagements. I soon became more secure in my choices, and started taking control of the situations instead of it controlling my life. I began to research any and all upcoming outings. My husband’s Christmas party? I called ahead and spoke with the caterer. She graciously walked me through the entire menu, citing what would be gluten free, and even made me my own gluten free cheesecake for dessert. New Years Eve at the bowling alley? The management was more than happy to let me bring in my own snacks packed in a lunchbox with labels alerting them to my allergies. (“No wheat/ gluten”) This was necessary to avoid becoming ill at the hands of their kitchen staff. Being at the beginning stages of a diagnosis can still be overwhelming. However I know you can get past it and move 
towards a more confident you to leave your comfort zone. Here are a few tips I’ve put together when eating out:
- Before venturing out for a date night, girls luncheon or any meal in a restaurant, do your research. Sites like Find Me Gluten Free and Urbanspoon can help you sift through restaurants with gluten free menus, and read reviews as well. READ carefully as you know by now Gluten Free is a buzz word term and may not be taken seriously.
- Be vocal about your disease/food allergy to your server. Do not be afraid to voice your concerns. State you have a food allergy and become very sick if gluten is ingested. Many chain restaurants have gluten free menus, but not all are trained in cross contamination standards.
- Don’t be afraid to question your server, if the meal doesn’t look exactly like it was described. There is no harm in questioning, I have done so on several occasions to find that I had been in fact served a non gluten free meal.
- In the unlikely case that you are accidentally “glutened”, don’t be afraid to contact the manager of the establishment.
- When in doubt, ask if you can bring your own food. In some cases, managers would rather have you bring your own, than risk the chance of an ambulance at their front door because a patron became sick from their food.
How can you be supportive to a friend that has Celiac Disease or another food allergy?
- Do your research. Be informed and educated on their allergies.
- Read labels, and when they come over have gluten free options for them. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. We would rather you ask and save us being sick, then not ask at all.
- Gift them an OAMM membership. Research gluten free recipes, and offer to help in a freezer cooking day.
- Have empathy – instead of trying to fix the situation, simply state I don’t know what it is like for you, but I am here for you.
For more tips check out some of my favorite Celiac/Gluten Free Bloggers: