Comments on: Gluten Reaction: How to Handle Restaurant Mixups

By: Donna Thibodeau

Donna Thibodeau — Mon, 24 Mar 2025 12:02:40 +0000

For my 55th wedding anniversary I decided to go out to eat with my husband. I am not restaurant friendly since I got glutened one time and the reaction was extreme like food poisoning. This time I picked a restaurant with a dessert because many restaurants do not have a gluten-free dessert though they will have entrée items. I saw that they had a flourless chocolate cake. Our waitress seemed to understand and brought us a very nice meal and told us we were getting our dessert free. When she brought the dessert, she brought a cheesecake. I was shocked because I knew that was wrong and I asked her what is this? As soon as I asked, she realized what she had done and scurried back to the kitchen and came back with the chocolate cake. My head was spinning, but I decided to be kind to her since I didn’t eat the gluten. I let it go, but not completely, because I am even more frightened of eating in restaurants. Why can’t they get it right? Food is our only medicine!

By: Margaret Clegg

Margaret Clegg — Mon, 13 May 2024 12:27:09 +0000

In reply to Ellen. Thank you sharing your experience. I know that how I handle situtations like this has definitely evolved over time. I've also had a beverage while others have eaten, and most of time it's gone well. And like, I'm blessed to have a very understanding and supportive spouse.

By: Ellen

Ellen — Mon, 13 May 2024 12:18:34 +0000

When I first started this journey, ( over 15 years ago but should have been for life) I was not nice. I have walked out of many restaurants or just had a beverage while the people I’m with ate. I’ve over tipped wait staff that has warned me that not all went as planned in the kitchen. Things are getting better in restaurants and I have an understanding husband and friends. I use the apps to find restaurants where I have a chance. I’m now trying to work with the restaurants instead of against. It’s definitely not easy at times.

By: Chris B

Chris B — Mon, 07 Mar 2022 16:04:10 +0000

I always appreciate your common sense and very doable approaches.
You are so right about not firing back in anger online. If you do that, you can’t make a difference by bringing your concerns up to the restaurant.

Unfortunately, there are groups on Facebook, especially Autoimmune Protocol groups that advocate taking activated charcoal whenever one thinks there was a possibility of cross contamination or a tiny speck of wheat immediately. They treat it like poison toxicity and some members have even advocated going to the ER to see if they will flush it out of you.

If you are temporarily gluten free on an elimination diet or Whole30 and are verifiably not celiac or gluten sensitive before, it should simply be get back in the wagon tomorrow. The point is learning a new way to eat, it’s not to create disordered eating and for some, reducing inflammation. If you are not Celiac or sensitive, your body may not react at all to a small amount. (And if you are, and something is 10 PPM gluten, you probably won’t even know). Sure anyone would react if you’re eating bread morning noon and night after not eating it for a month, but I’m talking about a negligible amount

Everyone is different, but if i were to accidentally have a tiny amount of gluten, I would not know the minute the food hit my lips. It would take my body time to react. It’s not an instantaneous thing. (Unlike my dairy allergy where I would be in the bathroom within 20 minutes and then off and on the rest of the day or I’m not allergic to shellfish but like someone having a peanut allergy or shellfish allergy where it would be more immediate). Sometimes I would have to walk it back in my head in retrospect when it might have occurred when I start to feel signs of it.

How does one advocate, especially for vulnerable people who are seeking information when eliminating gluten is tied to such disordered eating in some circles? (I have spoken out but any naysayers who tell people not to treat it like a drug overdose are kicked out, or comments are deleted). (And it’s downright frightening sometimes the other recommendations people give not knowing someone’s medical history)

By: Margaret Clegg

Margaret Clegg — Wed, 02 Jun 2021 14:07:40 +0000

In reply to Audrey. you're welcome!

By: Audrey

Audrey — Tue, 01 Jun 2021 13:49:57 +0000

Wow! Margaret! You are a real trooper! Thanks for sharing and helping me and others so much. Be Blessed! Safety Always!

By: Margaret Clegg

Margaret Clegg — Wed, 10 Jun 2020 22:57:24 +0000

In reply to Amy Keller. Thanks so much!

By: Amy Keller

Amy Keller — Wed, 10 Jun 2020 14:06:15 +0000

Fantastic article, my friend!

By: Mama Lu's and Questions Too - MI Gluten Free Gal

Mama Lu's and Questions Too - MI Gluten Free Gal — Wed, 31 May 2017 16:00:47 +0000

[…] In conclusion, we had an enjoyable meal at Mama Lu’s. The situation with the menu change is a good reminder to me, and all of us. We must always ask important questions about food safety. Ask if things are made in a dedicated fryer, or if meat is marinated in gluten-containing sauces. Ask if they use a separate cutting board to prepare your gluten-free meal. Always read the comments on Find Me Gluten Free, as menus and owners may change. We must always remember that we are responsible for keeping ourselves healthy. If that means choosing to leave someplace if they can’t answer your questions, that’s okay too. (And if you feel comfortable with the answers, but still get sick, try to handle it with grace.) […]