Are you new eating gluten free and now you will be visiting family? Planning, cooking and eating is easier at home because YOU are in control but you when go to see family and friends you are now OUT of control. Yikes how do you get through it and not accidentally eat gluten?
It IS possible - take a deep breathe and let’s do this!
Remember we are all learning together. You may be new and your host may be new to this as well.
- If possible, try to let you host know in advance that you are unable to eat gluten. Answer any of their questions. Let them know that the menu does need to change but that you will have questions about ingredients. Offer to bring a dish; then you will know there is one thing for sure you can eat.
- Be open and easy about letting people know you don’t eat gluten. If they ask questions answer them the best you can, if you don’t know the answer then let them know that too. Or google for the answer together.
- I try not to make people uncomfortable, if you don’t think you can eat something, don’t. You don’t HAVE to have everything. Eat a larger portion of the food that is gluten free.
- Hamburgers can be dangerous. If the menu has hamburgers on it then here are a few things you can do. Before the burgers are made ask what they normally put in them. If there are crackers or oats ask if it is possible to make one patty with nothing in it. BBQ sauce can have gluten, some don’t - double check. If they are from a box just read the ingredients. The GRILL, this is possible as well. Ask the person that is cooking to cook your plain burger off to the side. The grill will need to be scraped too - cross contamination may happen from previous meals.
- Bring your own bun/bread for the meal.
- Let your host know that not every dish needs to be gluten free, you will just need to know which ones are.
Eating out is not always a treat for me. It is work. I make the best decisions I can with the information I have. Sometimes I eat and sometimes I don’t. Not very often, I still will eat gluten accidentally.
If you are eating with close family or friends or people that are ready for more detailed information here are some more quick tips.
- Don’t use their toaster or use a reusable toaster bag
- Only use condiments that are squeeze bottles.
- Look for hidden gluten - soy sauce, BBQ sauce, gravies, salad dressings - I try to sneak peak the bottles or google it.
- I try and get my own butter dish; if not I don’t eat it.
- Bring a dish - try new recipes that you think everyone may enjoy that is GF.
I have helpful trick that is easy to teach others; it works for allergies and intolerances. And it is one of the things that gives me peace of mind. I call it the “one pot one spoon” rule. One utensil can only go into one pot. The utensil is then placed on a plate - not the counter. Only GF spoons go on the plate. That way they can be mixed up. If you have more than one food issue then there are more plates. One gluten free, one dairy free or nut free. There is more dishes but everyone is safe. Hint - offer to help with dishes :)
I try to treat people with patients, kindness and grace. And when all else fails I have snacks in my purse. We are all learning together.
My hope that these tips were helpful for both the person that is gluten free and for the potential hosts in the future.
I have a group where I share more info on GF and how to make this way of eating easier. If you want more info here is a link for you.
Bon Appetit
Dawn Dykman
0 Comments