Gluten-Free All-In-One For Dummies. Dummies Consumer

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СКАЧАТЬ alt="warning"/>If you’re gluten-free because of celiac disease, gluten sensitivity, or serious allergies, avoiding cross-contamination with gluten-containing foods and kitchen gadgets is critical. Keep a chart of who’s supposed to clean the kitchen each day if necessary, but make sure it actually gets done – every day. See Chapter 2 of Book II for tips on organizing and setting up a shared kitchen and details on avoiding cross-contamination.

Going out on the town

      Venturing out of the house on a gluten-free diet doesn’t need to be daunting. Gluten-free eating is much more popular and understood now than it was even a couple of years ago. A little preparation goes a long way toward triumphant gluten-free dining and travel. This section offers tips on ordering at a restaurant and finding gluten-free food when traveling.

Eating at restaurants

      Every day it seems like a new chain or local eatery is announcing a gluten-free menu. But menu or not, you can find great gluten-free food choices almost anywhere.

      

When dining out, ask questions every time. Does the server know what gluten is? Does the restaurant have a gluten-free menu? Will the chef come out to speak with you about how to prepare your meal? If you feel uncomfortable with the answers you receive, then take your business elsewhere. Making sure your meal is gluten-free takes some effort, but you can enjoy eating at restaurants that accommodate your needs.

      Another bonus: When you ask questions, you help increase awareness of gluten intolerance! And hopefully this results in more food choices for everyone in the future.

      Here are some suggestions for making your restaurant experience a little easier:

      ✔ Check out the menu ahead of time. If you know where you’re dining, check the restaurant’s website. Restaurants often have menus online; if not, then call and ask before you go.

      ✔ Narrow down your choices. At the restaurant, find two or three dishes that look good to you and that seem “safe” (no obvious gluten) and ask the server for details. Don’t expect the server to spend time going over the entire menu with you. It’s easier and safer to have him check on just a few dishes than, say, all the salads offered by the place.

      ✔ Get the server’s attention. Try to spend a few minutes talking with the server about your gluten-free diet and food ingredients before everyone else orders. A good time may be when he comes to take drink orders or to tell you about the specials.

      ✔ Communicate. Explain your dietary needs before you order and always ask the server to ask the chef whether something contains gluten or how it’s prepared. See the nearby sidebar for a restaurant card you can share.

      ✔ Speak to the manager. If your server doesn’t seem to get it, talk with the restaurant manager before you order. We’ve had many restaurant managers approach us during a meal and say, “Feel free to ask for me when you get here next time, and I’ll make sure you’re taken care of.”

      ✔ Substitute. Don’t be afraid to ask for modifications to your selections. For example, request rice, polenta, potatoes, or a vegetable instead of pasta. (Check out Chapter 4 of Book I for the lowdown on savvy food substitutions.)

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Check your food. When your food comes, check everything – twice; mistakes happen! If your salad has croutons on it or your hamburger comes with a bun, don’t actually send it back. Keep it at the table and alert your server that you need another order. Don’t let them take the contaminated plate away, as sometimes kitchen staff simply remove croutons or a bun (not good enough!) and return the contaminated dish to you.

      ✔ Enjoy! When you’re confident that your food is safe, eat up and enjoy!

      Even when you take precautions, risk of cross-contamination and mistakes exists. Everyone has a different level of tolerance, but the goal is always zero tolerance – no gluten! Over time, you’ll compile a list of places you know can accommodate you safely, and your gluten-free life will become easier because you’ll be ready with suggestions when your friends want to order late-night pizza, go celebrate at a restaurant, or order carryout for dinner.

      When dining out with a group of friends, splitting the bill may not always be equitable if you didn’t share that pitcher of beer or bruschetta appetizer. Just kindly mention that you’ll give a smaller portion since you didn’t partake. Asking for your own check at the beginning of the night may be an easier solution to avoiding an awkward situation when the bill arrives.

Attending parties and potlucks

      You don’t have to avoid your gluten-eating friends or starve when enjoying your college party scene. Here are some simple ideas for surviving social gatherings:

      ✔ Eat before you go. You can look for veggies and other safe foods to munch on at the gathering, but you won’t be famished if you can’t find safe options.

      ✔ Keep your expectations low if you aren’t bringing any food.

      ✔ Check with the host to make sure it’s okay to bring a dish. Find easy and delicious recipe ideas in Books III through V. You never need to mention you’re gluten-free!

      ✔ For potlucks, bring two dishes – a main dish and a side or dessert that you and others can enjoy – to give yourself more choices.

Considering catered events

      Don’t let your gluten-free restrictions keep you away from weddings and other celebrations! A few minutes of prep work can make it easy for you to enjoy festive meals with your friends and family.

      

One of our best suggestions for setting yourself up for a great night out is to ask the host who’s catering the party. Ask him whether he minds if you call the caterer and arrange for a gluten-free meal. Most caterers are well aware of what this entails, but a quick conversation can ensure you get safe fare. This special request usually doesn’t cost the host extra money because it’s often just a matter of leaving off sauces and making sure that side dishes are free of croutons, breadcrumbs, and sauces.

      On the night of the event, find the catering event manager when you arrive and alert her that you ordered a gluten-free version of the meal. You probably won’t get a gluten-free version of the dessert, but maybe you can snag some after-dinner fruit or a cup of coffee.

Overcoming the trials of traveling

      Planes, trains, and automobiles can all offer successful travel fare – even for the gluten-free! In fact, most cruise lines have great gluten-free choices now. So do some research before a trip and find out what (if anything) you need to do to keep your travel drama-free and nourishing. If you’re wondering which foods to pack for a trip, how to find gluten-free meals along the way, and how to manage your diet in an airport, read on.

Packing for road trips

      Road trips are the easiest kind of travel to manage in terms of avoiding gluten. Just stock your car with your favorite snacks and bring a cooler for perishables. You’re in control of what you have available and where you stop, and that makes gluten-free car travel a breeze!

      Here are some good road-trip snacks that are easy to pack in a bag or cooler:

      ✔ Sandwiches on gluten-free bread

      ✔ Fresh fruit and veggies

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