A That’s So Celiac Friend
So you’re sitting at a restaurant and your friend says, “I have Celiac Disease.” You stare blankly at them having no idea what that means... “like okay” [#thatsoceliac].
Photo by Emily Mathewson
They proceed to explain to you that they are unable to have foods with gluten in it. And you think what is gluten? Gluten is a group of proteins found in many foods. Gluten is more commonly known as wheat, but gluten also blankets other wheat species such as spelt, barley, rye, and oats. Gluten can be found in quite a bit that you would not even think of (like I said, I am understanding and patient friend trying to wrap my head around everything Taylor can’t have). You both are looking at the menu and your friend tells why they can’t have the burger with a “normal” bun or wondering how the fries are cooked because they can’t be fried in the same fryer as the breaded chicken nuggets or mozzarella sticks.
These are all things I had to start to learn about and understand when meeting a friend with celiac disease. I have had experience with learning about autoimmune diseases in the past, as when I was in college, I had a friend that was diagnosed with crohn’s. We went from having whatever food we wanted to her changing her usually sushi roll to needing to request a lettuce roll instead. We both had to learn what she could and could not have. We looked at restaurants and places we went differently with how accommodating they were to this new understanding of her body.
When I met Taylor and she explained to me about celiac disease and what her restrictions were, it brought me back to my college days of being an understanding friend of what her needs were. Through this we have found some really good and new places to eat and hang out.
Here are some tips from a friend who has friends with restrictions to a friend that is just starting to understand all of it:
Be accommodating, we are dealing with their health here. Big picture, we don’t want them feeling crappy just because of one cross contaminated french fry.
Call the place ahead of time to ask if they are understanding of what their needs are. Tips on what to ask:
Do you accommodate to celiac disease (or whatever the food based autoimmune disease and/or food allergy may be)? If so, how?
Do you have cross contamination? Might have to explain this one to people. An example of how to explain this would be, “Does your ‘normal’ aka gluten filled bun touch the same surface as your gluten free bread?’.
What are some of the “celiac safe” food options? This is important because the person might not be interested in some of the food options that are gluten free.
BIG TIP! If the person starts with an “ummm” or “uhhh” or there is only one item (more than likely a salad), than it’s probably not a safe bet that this place is celiac safe and/or safe for whatever food based autoimmune disease and/or food allergy your friend lives with.
Something big Taylor has taught me is cross contamination on cookware and surfaces. So if you are inviting your friends over for a meal be aware of this. If you feel its necessary ask them to bring their own food with the understanding of their needs can’t be met with your cooking. Or ask them if you can pick them up something from a local store that they can eat.
COMMUNICATE!!! Don’t be afraid to ask questions about anything to them. You all can be learning together.
This is a great time for you as well to be exploring new foods and different ways to eat with your friend. There have been PLENTY of times Taylor says to try something and I am skeptical of some of the stuff she has me try and every time it tastes AH-MAZING!! Most things I would never know do not have gluten or dairy in them and they still taste exactly how they are suppose to with gluten and dairy.
I am writing this for the friend that is feeling lost on how to help a friend with a new autoimmune diagnosis. I am writing this for the person who just got diagnosed and not sure how to tell their friends or how they will react. I am writing this so that I can share everything I have learned throughout my journey with having friends with autoimmune disease. Hey... this might force you to try new things or new ways to eat... it has for me.
Xoxo,
Brie
Photo by Emily Mathewson