How to Actually Eat Gluten Free at a Restaurant: Part 2

If you haven't already, check out Part 1 of How to Actually Eat Gluten Free in a Restaurant.

Don't be afraid to not eat it. Months back, we had ordered lunch in for an all-day work meeting. What's cooler than free lunch? Well, we were ordering from Jason's Deli, which has those magical allergen statements on it. I ordered a salad with grapes and nuts in it, and forgot to ask them to leave out the cheese. I was already a bit disappointed having to navigate around the cheese (I had only take a few bites at this point), when I found a piece of marinated chicken inside my salad! Ding ding ding! I had read on the menu that the marinated chicken contained gluten, and so I graciously put the lid back on the salad, and moved on to Plan B. Starve? That's not Plan B. I have a better one for you.


Carry food with you. Whether you are traveling or just around the corner from home, it's very important to keep some safe food with you. This could be because you are driving past mouthwatering billboards and your stomach is growling, or because you order something at a restaurant that just isn't going to do the job. And if you're flying or on a car trip, it's smart to have food you know is safe in case you can't find anything in the airport or gas station. I like to keep fruit cups and Kind bars in my desk drawers at work, Lara Bars in my work bag and purse, a stash of nuts and other things in my car glove box, and those packets of tuna and some gluten free crackers with me when I'm flying for business.


So, does this ruin the mood? Ruin the magic of your dinner out with friends for a birthday, make you feel awkward with coworkers, or make your wonderful grandmother feel bad about spending all that money on you? I say: you and they will feel a lot worse if you get contaminated while eating out! It's worth it to cover your bases, being kind and gracious with your dinner companions and the restaurant folks, and you will have a great experience. Most people won't notice, and those who do won't mind!


Ask your friends and family to support you. If someone suggests you go out to eat together - whether it's your coworkers, parents, or real estate agent - pipe up and ask if you can choose the restaurant. I find that in Salt Lake, if they pick the type of fare (Mexican, burgers, Chinese, steak, vegetarian, Middle-Eastern), there are enough options that everyone can be happy. Frankly, this works most of the time. People who care about you are generally glad to try your restaurant suggestion, and they want to spend a nice evening with you without you being miserable or spending a lot of time in the bathroom during the movie afterward.

Eating gelato in Siricuza, Sicily.