| Following a gluten free food diet keeps many | | | | that you're coming and what type of meal you'll |
| celiac disease sufferers from dining at restaurants, | | | | need. |
| but it doesn't have to. You can dine at your | | | | When speaking with a waiter, be sure to explain |
| favorite restaurants and still maintain a wheat | | | | your needs briefly, but in detail. You might say |
| free food diet by planning your meal choices | | | | something like, "I need your help selecting food |
| ahead of time and asking plenty of questions at | | | | items. My diet is restricted to foods made without |
| the restaurant. | | | | wheat, barley, and rye. Do you have a moment |
| With fast food, it can be difficult to find foods | | | | to help or can you suggest some gluten free |
| free of gluten because these establishments | | | | foods?" To give credibility to your medical claims, |
| simply don't have the time or means to offer | | | | you might opt to wear a medic alert bracelet so |
| specialty foods such as wheat free foods. But | | | | waiters will take your requests seriously. |
| many traditional family style or even exquisite | | | | Create a restaurant card with questions and/or |
| restaurants are more than willing to cater to the | | | | requests to be given to the chef. This will let the |
| special needs of customers, whether a person is | | | | chef know exactly what you need, and you won't |
| diabetic, has heart disease, or suffers from celiac | | | | have to rely on the waiter's memory or his |
| disease. | | | | handwriting! |
| The key is to know what you can and cannot | | | | Problem Foods |
| eat, and ask if the restaurant carries certain | | | | Some foods to be very careful with at |
| types of foods. Here are some tips to make the | | | | restaurants are salads, dressings, and marinades, |
| process easier. | | | | soups and sauces, prime rib or other meats, fried |
| Place a Call to the Restaurant | | | | foods, rice, hash browns, and dairy products |
| If you plan to dine out soon, place a call to the | | | | (non-dairy substitutes particularly). Even gluten |
| restaurant and ask to speak to the head chef or | | | | free foods may be prepared on surfaces or |
| manager. Ask about your possible meal options | | | | cooked in the same oil as products with gluten. |
| for gluten free food and if they can | | | | This means you might still be exposed to the |
| accommodate these needs. Perhaps the chef | | | | gluten even if eating gluten free foods. It's a good |
| already has a method of preparing food without | | | | idea to ask the chef if your food items will be |
| gluten, or maybe the restaurant offers special | | | | prepared separately - on a clean surface, in new |
| dishes specifically for celiac food needs. It will help | | | | oil, etc. |
| ease your mind to know what your options are | | | | When your meal arrives, be sure to confirm with |
| ahead of time. There are also food items you | | | | your waiter that it is the special gluten free food |
| might want to take along, such as gluten free | | | | meal you ordered. Tip generously if your waiter |
| sauces and condiments, special seasoning, and | | | | has displayed a willingness to help. It does take |
| maybe even your own gluten free snack or | | | | extra effort to cater to medically restricted diets. |
| dessert. | | | | Show your appreciation through a great tip! |
| Pick a Slower Time | | | | Whether dining out or eating in, it's good to have |
| Dining before or after the busiest times of the | | | | extra celiac foods (or celiac foods) on hand. You |
| day will allow for more time to select your meal, | | | | can order gluten free food online easily for baking |
| talk with your waiter about your specific needs, | | | | or snacking. Some of the delightful gluten free |
| and ensure that the chef has enough time to | | | | foods available on the Web include pasta, wafers, |
| prepare your meal the way you need it. If you | | | | pastries, cake mixes, cereals, chocolate snacks, |
| have a dinner engagement for business or other | | | | biscuits, flour, gravy, and more. Planning ahead will |
| purposes and cannot dine at your own chosen | | | | enable you to dine out at your favorite |
| time, be sure to call ahead of time and ask for a | | | | restaurants with confidence! |
| specific dish. This will give the chef a "heads up" | | | | |