My Personal Dining Out Rules

For anyone who has been newly diagnosed as a Coeliac or even just wheat-sensitive dining out can be a daunting prospect, it is terrifying wondering whether or not this one night out will cripple for you days. I'm not sure if this will be of any help but here are some of my tips for dining out.

 Preparation is the key!

• Always be prepared before dining out

If someone else has planned the event and hasn't informed you of the venue kindly ask them where you'll be dining so that you can plan ahead.
If the event is organized by work, a planner or any other type of organization, where you aren't paying for or specifically paying for your meal (eg. an entry fee that includes food) make sure you call them and ask if there will be a gluten free option available.

• Check out the menu

Once you are aware of where you are dining, or someone has provided you with the meal options for the night, the next step is to check the menu. Some restaurants, venues and caterers will mark any gluten free meals or meals that can be made gluten free with a G, GF or the general wheat stalk in a circle with a line through it.

If the menu is unavailable or does not have any clear gluten free markings, or if you just want to double check the ingredients before hand, call the restaurant up. If they don't have any gluten free options available most places are happy to make something special for you. It can be unnerving calling up and asking them to make something that isn't on the menu but you'll feel better about it afterwards.

If at the end of your preparation stage, you are still unsure if the restaurant you are going to or event you are attending will have a gluten free option always eat before hand, this will prevent any food envy later on.

A good idea is when a friend or group is organizing a dinner or outing suggest places you already know are gluten free. I personally have a small list of gluten free eateries in areas my friends and I live/enjoy dining out in so that I can always suggest a gluten free available restaurant.

At the Restaurant

Sometimes you have a spurn of the moment outing and the preparation stage flies out the window. Hopefully you're in an area where you know the restaurants and can find a suitable restaurant however if that fails I have a few steps on dealing with that scenario, because it does happen.

• When the menu has no Gluten Free markings

Ask the waiter/waitress if there is a separate menu for allergies or if they know of any items on the menu that are gluten free. DON'T always trust the waiter/waitress although I have known some very knowledgeable wait staff they are not all diligent. I have had the occasion when they just suggest anything off the menu to try and sate me. If you feel that this is the case, ask if it is possible to speak with a manager or the chef. I have on occasion had a chef come out and ask me how severe my allergy is and if certain ingredients will affect me. As a rule most people will be open to helping.

If you feel that you are annoying the waiter/waitress or keeping people waiting, a few simple ways to cut down on the chatter:

• Choose one or two specific dishes to ask about being gluten free. It's a lot easier to find out if "The chicken and vegetables" can be made gluten free then checking the entire menu.

• When there are Gluten Free markings on the menu

It is always good to confirm that the meals are still Gluten free, some places can change their ingredients but forget to change the menu. Sometimes there are iffy ingredients in the meal and you will want to confirm these with the staff.

ALWAYS confirm and repeat that your meal will need to be gluten free. Have the waiter/waitress say it back to you.


When the meal arrives

If anything on your plate looks amiss then check with the staff, I once had someone else's order brought to my table, we had both ordered pasta. Thankfully they had ordered seafood and I had ordered chicken.

Education is the key in any person or establishment understanding and catering for the needs of Coeliacs, if they are lacking in the knowledge and you don't confirm and discuss it with them you and the next Coeliac who eats there could end up glutened.
Always be vigilant and you'll hopefully avoid becoming sick.

I hope this insight can help you in your future dining experiences.