| you have celiac disease, an autoimmune condition | | | | to call the restaurant the day before and speak |
| triggered by eating gluten (wheat, rye, barley and | | | | to the manager. Let the manager know that you |
| oats), eating anywhere can be difficult, but | | | | are planning on visiting his food establishment and |
| especially when you want to eat out. Believe it or | | | | what your food restrictions are. Ask him if your |
| not, finding a restaurant willing to accommodate a | | | | food restrictions can be accommodated. Many |
| gluten-free diet can be easier than you think. | | | | times the manager will be more than happy to |
| Your first step: Provide yourself with dining cards. | | | | help. Sometimes, however, the manager may be |
| What are dining cards? Dining cardsare small | | | | less than enthusiastic. If this is the case, it is |
| business-sized cards-which are really folded | | | | better to try another restaurant than to risk |
| brochures that communicate your dietary needs | | | | getting an unsafe meal. |
| and enable restaurant cooks to provide a safe | | | | Remember, in order to get the best and most |
| meal for you. Upon entrance to a restaurant, | | | | accommodating service, keep the restaurant's |
| hand your waiter a dining card to take back to | | | | point of view in mind. Showing up without talking |
| the kitchen. As a good dining card not only covers | | | | to the restaurant first greatly increases your risk |
| which foods you are not allowed to eat but food | | | | of receiving less than helpful service. It can also |
| preparation requirements, you do not have to | | | | put your health in danger by not giving the kitchen |
| worry if your waiter understood what you were | | | | enough time to prepare for or fully understand |
| trying to tell him or if he even remembered to tell | | | | your needs, dining card or not. There are many |
| the kitchen about your special requirements. | | | | reasons why the restaurant manager may refuse |
| Once you have your professionally or personally | | | | to accommodate your and your gluten-free diet. |
| made dining cards in hand, going to a restaurant | | | | For example, the size of the kitchen and food |
| becomes a lot easier. There are several | | | | placement in the preparation area could be a |
| companies that produce gluten-free dining cards | | | | hotbed for cross contamination, some kitchen |
| or you can make them yourself using your | | | | staff may be out sick leaving him shorthanded or |
| computer. Triumph Dining is one of the most | | | | maybe there is just a temperamental chef. |
| popular companies which produces a series of | | | | Whatever the reason, thank the manager for his |
| gluten-free dining cards. These cards target | | | | time and move on. If you find yourself in a spur |
| specific types of world cuisines. Each card is | | | | of the moment situation, out of the house and |
| written in English on one side and the country of | | | | needing a place to eat, first ask to speak to the |
| the targeted cuisine on the other. There are cards | | | | manager before you are seated. Show the |
| currently available for American, Mexican, Italian, | | | | manager the dining card and ask him if he can |
| French, Greek, Indian, Thai, Vietnamese, Japanese | | | | accommodate your needs. |
| and Chinese restaurants. | | | | If he can, this is a good time to review the menu |
| Home-made cards may be a more appropriate | | | | with him. It will save you time if you can decide |
| choice if you have additional food intolerances | | | | what you want before you are seated. This will |
| other than gluten. However, it is important to | | | | give the chef or kitchen staff more time to |
| understand that the more official-looking your | | | | prepare for you what you need, the way you |
| card is, the more importance it conveys. Carefully | | | | need it while you are still being seated. If the |
| consider your own needs before choosing the | | | | manager isn't helpful or doesn't think he can |
| type of dining card you wish to carry. | | | | accommodate your needs, the best thing to do is |
| When you want to dine out being smart is also | | | | to thank him for his time and leave. It's better to |
| very helpful to getting your needs met. Don't | | | | drive to another restaurant than risk becoming ill. |
| show up at a restaurant at their busiest time. Do | | | | So don't be afraid to go out and give gluten-free |
| call in advance to find out if the restaurant kitchen | | | | dining a try. |
| has enough adaptability to meet your needs. To | | | | You'll be surprised at how helpful and |
| ensure that your dining experience will be a happy | | | | accommodating many restaurants are. |
| and healthy one, the smartest scenario would be | | | | |