That’s So Questions to Ask While Eating Out
I personally understand that overwhelming feeling you get when you are diagnosed with celiac disease, especially the moments when you realize all the ways you possibly can get glutened. You can start to feel alone and like it is better to isolate yourself then try to figure out how to handle a social situation that involves food. However, what if I told you that you do not have to isolate yourself and you can be an advocate for yourself in those social settings that involve food?
I am going to share the questions I have learned to ask before I put myself in a social situation with food whether it is at a family or friend’s house and/or at a restaurant. I understand that asking these questions may take confidence and may make you feel like a “burden”, but allow me to tell you right now that you are not a burden and that you asking these questions are to make sure you are confident in what you consuming! You asking these questions are not only making you your own advocate, but it is also teaching others so hopefully they can teach others and the cycle of educating continues. The celiac community could use all the continued education and advocates it could get! I hope that motivational talk, makes sense!
Questions I like to ask family and/or friends when they are preparing food:
“What is on the menu for this gathering?”
“Are there any gluten-free options?”
“Where did these gluten-free options come from [restaurant, store, your own kitchen]?”
“If they were cooked by you, what brands did you utilize and/or were they made in the same utensils that has gluten containing foods going in?”
“Are the gluten-free options plated on specific plates that have not had gluten containing foods on them?”
“Are the gluten-free options being kept separate from the gluten containing foods?”
If you get these questions answered and are still not 100% comfortable then below is something you can utilize":
“I really appreciate you making the effort to have foods that I could possible enjoy. However, I am not comfortable consuming those foods due to the possibility of cross-contact. Would you mind if I brought my own food as I do not want to get sick and/or harm my body by accidentally being glutened?”
Questions I like to ask at restaurants:
Let’s start off short & sweet first:
Do you have a gluten-free menu?
What items can be made gluten-free?
Do you know what gluten is?
Does GF on your menu represent gluten free or gluten friendly?
Let’s add a little more detail with follow-up questions that have questions:
“I see that you have gluten free options on your menu, but want to let you know that I have celiac disease. Do you know what that is?”
“I see that you have gluten free options on your menu and was curious on how these items were prepared. Do you know if there is cross-contact in the kitchen? If not, can I please speak with a manager and/or the chef?”
“What are the precautions taken in preparing the gluten-free dishes in regards to cross-contact? Are these dishes made in the same area as gluten filled dishes? Is the same fryer used for the gluten free foods as the gluten filled foods? Is the same water for the gluten filled pasta used for the gluten free pasta? Is there a dedicated spot in the kitchen for the gluten free dishes? Is there a dedicated person to making the gluten free dishes and/or are gloves changed between the making of dishes? Does the gluten free bread go into the same toaster as the gluten containing bread?”
“Would you personally recommend that I eat anything from the kitchen based off me explaining that celiac is not an allergy but a serious autoimmune response that can not only make my really sick but have a range of serious reactions / symptoms?”.
I know for a fact that I have forgotten some questions that I have asked in those two situations, so if I think of them or ask them & realize they are not on here, I will make sure to update the lists above. Also, if you have any questions that you ask, please leave in the comments below! I would love to collect other questions that have found to be helpful. Again, I hope these questions provide you a way to become more confident in social settings that revolve around food. You are not a burden or a pain the butt for needing to ask these questions. You are taking care of your health and your body for asking these questions.
Just a friendly reminder, that celiac disease is a NOT an allergy. Celiac disease is a SERIOUS autoimmune disease.