Gluten Free Restaurant Dining

Gluten is a highly complex protein that can be found in wheat, rye, barley and oats. You would expect to find it in breads and cereals, but it can also be present in lipsticks and medications. While gluten is common in foods, it is also linked to a common food sensitivity, which can range from intolerance to celiac disease. For people with these conditions, gluten free eating is essential, but not always that easy. For people with gluten sensitivity or who have loved ones with gluten intolerance, here are some helpful tips for eating gluten-free in restaurants.

What is Gluten Intolerance and Celiac Disease?

Glutein intolerance affects millions of people. The condition occurs when the digestive system cannot break down gluten and the proteins remain in the digestive track. This undigested gluten protein begins to irritate the intestines and the body's immune system begins to treat the proteins like invading foreign bodies. Gluten intolerance can lead to severe abdominal pain and diarrhea.

Celiac disease is part of the spectrum of disorders related to gluten intolerance and is an inherited autoimmune condition in which the lining of the small intestine is damaged from eating gluten and other protein found in wheat, rye, barley and some oats. More than 2 million people in the United States are affected by Celiac disease. It is also more common among people with other disorders such as Down Syndrome, autism, and diabetes.

The importance of Gluten Free Diets

The only treatment for celiac disease is a gluten-free diet. Basically, a gluten-free diet is one in which a person should not eat most grain, pasta, cereal, and many processed foods. Great substitutes for wheat and other grain based foods include corn, soy, rice, bean flours, amaranth and buckwheat. Since meat does not contain gluten, they are safe, but people with gluten intolerances should be careful that their meats are not prepared with or coated with gluten products.

People with celiac disease or glutein intolerance need to be educated on how to identify foods which may be harmful to them. Gluten is included in many preservatives, food starches and even stabilizers. Also, while corn and rice products may be safe to eat, some are manufactured in the same factories or plants are wheat based products. Contamination with wheat or other grain gluten products should be carefully watched.

Dining Out on a Gluten Free Diet

Having to eat gluten free does not prevent a person from eating out, but it does limit some dining choices. When considering gluten free dining, being prepared is a great way to preventing any complications.

1. Be clear on what is restricted on a glutein free diet.

Knowledge is power. Remember that many food starches, preservatives and other additives may contain gluten. Understanding which foods you can or cannot eat will help you make healthy food choices.

2. Study which restaurants offer gluten free selections.

With the help of the Internet, diners can find registries and other listing for restaurants with gluten free menus and selections. For example, Cheeseburger in Paradise is a restaurant chain that is listed on gluten free registries and its special menu can be found online. Food options include appetizers, drinks, soups, salads and sandwiches.

3. When in doubt, ask or make modifications.

You may be aware of which foods are safe, but gluten contamination can be an issue also. So, even if you are ordering gluten safe foods, always ask your waiter or server questions about how dishes are prepared. If what you want may have gluten based foods, ask for substitutes or modifications. Instead of batter fried items, ask that your selection be baked or grilled. Instead of breaks, ask for potato or rice as a substitute.

If you or someone in your family suffers from gluten intolerance or celiac disease, remember you are not alone. Gluten intolerance can be a troublesome condition which requires careful monitoring and healthy eating. You don't have to sacrifice dining out to manage the condition.

For more information or resources for gluten free dining, check out the following websites:

http://www.glutenfreerestaurants.org/

http://www.glutenfreeregistry.com/

http://www.celiac.com/articles/1164/1/Celiac-Disease-Statistics/Page1.html