Do you struggle with trying to figure out how to eat out with friends or family while having celiac disease? Here are a few tips and tricks that may help make the process a little bit easier for you. This has always been a super sensitive and tough topic for me especially when it is someone’s birthday or a special occasion, and we are going out to eat for it. I will say, I have been fortunate enough to have a very supporting family that chooses to go to restaurants that are able to accommodate me, but that is not always the case.
Ask the Restaurant
The first thing I do when I know I have an event and will be eating out is look up the restaurant online or on one of my gluten free apps to see if they are able to accommodate someone with celiac disease. If I find that they are unable to, I will plan to eat something beforehand and just grab a drink at the restaurant, or I will ask the restaurant if it is alright if I bring my own food, since they are unable to accommodate my dietary restrictions. In the case that the restaurant says that they are able to accommodate food allergies, I will call them in advance and ask one of two questions; “Are you able to accommodate someone with celiac disease?” and “Can you guarantee no cross-contamination?”. If the staff is unfamiliar with celiac disease, I like to use the phrasing of “gluten/wheat allergy”. While I am aware that celiac disease is not a gluten allergy, the word allergy tends to ring alert bells in people’s brains and makes them want to take the request more seriously.
Prioritize Yourself
In the event that you do decide to eat beforehand, unfortunately, it does not get easier with time. I have been doing this for six years now, and every time I sit down with friends or family and am unable to join in on the food festivities, it stings. However, it is one of those things that you learn to handle better over time. At first, you will feel frustrated and isolated, but at the end of the day, you realize your health is more important than indulging in something that could have negative long term effects. If you are going out with new people, who are unfamiliar with celiac disease, it will be a lot to have to answer all of their questions and explain to them why you are not eating. That is probably one of the most difficult conversations to have with some people, but that is a topic for another article. At the end of the day, eating out can be a very frustrating and isolating process, but with time, you will figure out what works best for you. I have had multiple times where I choose not to meet friends for food and would rather meet them after for whatever activities we have planned. This is a boundary that I have set for myself because I would rather not feel the pity of others when I cannot eat with them. That is a personal preference, and then I get to enjoy their company afterward when we do not have to worry about food.
Comments
2 responses
This is a great read! I am so proud of you!
Thank you!!<3