Gluten Free and Eating out

MadameFancyPants

We've recently discovered that what we thought was a dairy intolerance in DS is actually a gluten issue.  Long story, but in just a week we've seen a massive improvement since we've taken gluten out of his diet. 

 My big question is what do you do when eating out at restaurants?  He eats everything- not a picky eater by any stretch of the imagination.  He never really noticed if we were eating cheese and he wasn't but he's used to eating rolls/bread and a lot of the items on kids (and even adult menus) involve foods with gluten in them.  

I've been trying to think of alternatives to his "usuals" at our favorite restaurants. It's really making my brain hurt!  

 So what do you order for your GF kids?

LovinTim912

DS is 2, so we don't eat out that often with him.  He is a maniac in restaurants and we haven't figured out how to tame him lol.  Anyway, when we do get take out, he eats a lot of protein- hamburgers or hot dogs w/o the bun (which he loves!), grilled chicken (we make sure to note that NO flour, breading, etc. is ok!), steamed veggies, fresh fruit, etc.  Most places are highly accommodating when you tell them it's a food allergy issue.  GL!

EastCoastBride

If we can plan it/ it's appropriate, I'll bring some food w/ us.  Like GF chicken nuggets, for example. 

Otherwise, we order things that we expect should be o.k.  Grilled chicken breast, french fries that dont' have a batter.  We went for sushi last night. We brought blueberries, but he chowed on edamame and rice.  He tried some tuna - liked it but didn't eat a lot.  It doesn't seem like he ate a lot- but he was happy. 

I LOVE chick-fil-a.  They have grilled nuggets now. 

Breakfast - scrambled eggs and bacon are usually good for him.  We always ask how their potatoes are made, and at most places we've gone - they aren't made w/ any kind of flour or other binder that would be a problem

And a "confession" - we'll order him fries even if they aren't fried in a dedicated fryer.  When stuff is fried, all the "gunk" falls off and falls to the bottom of the fryer.  We know what his reaction will be if he even gets a little cross contamination, and he's NEVER been affected in this scenario. 

We've gotten lucky - we've found a fair # of restaurants that are either GF or they are very GF friendly. 

soon2Bkranz

Honestly we don't go out to eat pretty much ever. Lots of places say that they have a GF menu but our DD has gotten ill. The only places we will eat out at are Red Robin (they have a dedicated frier so there fries are safe and they know what GF means) and In and Out for the same reason.

Also red brick pizza is safe.  

soon2Bkranz

Our DD has celiacs and is pretty darn sensitive so take what a say with that in mind

julandjo

soon2Bkranz:

Honestly we don't go out to eat pretty much ever. Lots of places say that they have a GF menu but our DD has gotten ill.

Ditto this.  Lots and lots of places offer a "gluten free" menu.  BUT.  I've been burned too many times (as in, sick sick for days afterwards).  So if it's a new place I haven't been to yet, I call and speak with the manager on duty.  If they do not have separate prep and cooking surfaces, separate utensils, etc. for their gluten free items, I do not go there.  Because that's not a gluten free menu, it's a "low gluten" menu and will not work for really sensitive folks.

DandelionMom

We don't eat out anymore unless it is a dedicated gf restaurant.  Even when we chose the place carefully and explained the situation to our server, about 50 percent of the time we'd end up sick (and some of DD2's symptoms last longer than a week).  It just isn't worth it to us.  If we're must go to a restaurant, we eat ahead of time or bring our own food and order drinks.  We haven't had an issue yet. 

LJM0521

We eat at Chick fil a or Chipotle a lot.  Uno's also has gf pizza.  We don't go to many sit down places anymore.  Five guys is usually really good too.  Like someone else said, it's not unusual for us to get sick when we go out to places. 

livinitup

Celiac sites have a lot of great resources. But most often, you just have to be a good advocate, ask questions and ask to read labels from the kitchen. And for little kids, it makes sense to bring stashes of substitute breads/items. It gets a lot easier when you know DS loves the BBQ ribs and potatoes at Outback ... or which pizza place has great gluten free pizzas ... or which local restaurant will put a little dish you bring in the oven to warm-up. You don't have to re-invent the wheel once you get the basics down.