A Guide to the Gluten Free Lifestyle: Eating Out [One Month Challenge]

June 9, 2012 5:00 pm     Posted in Body, Food, Health, Homepage Exclusive  Brooke - Washington University in St. Louis g+ page


So you read the intro about just exactly what the gluten free diet is. But what does it entail? A lot.


By Brooke

Being gluten free requires 100% awareness 100% of the time. Yes, that’s right – even when you’re drunk. Late night eating is a toughie. Think back to last semester. Remember those chicken fingers your BF(F) is eating in the dining hall after a frat party… The smell warms your nose and makes you smile inside. You beg for a bite. But no. They’re filled with gluten. Ugh, SO RUDE.

Okay, so drunk late night fried food eating is off limits. But everything else doesn’t have to be! The key to being gluten free is learning to advocate for yourself! Eating out is totally possible. Celiacs/gluten intolerants can be cool and social, too! I promise.

If a group of friends are going out to dinner, just find out the restaurant beforehand and make a quick phone call. You don’t have to miss out on eating out just because you’re on the GF diet! Almost every restaurant knows about gluten free these days and almost every restaurant can make something grilled (or pan-fried if they put bread on their grill). There is something to eat almost everywhere!

At first you might be embarrassed to speak up… I was. I felt like I was being an organic, LA, annoying DI-VA, but it had to become a way of life. Even though it may seem like all you want to do is eat like a little hungry movie star, asking a million questions isn’t annoying – it’s absolutely necessary. Getting cross-contaminated with gluten is NOT fun. Your stomach can get bad… if you know what I mean. So taking all precautions to avoid a few days of icky sickness is worth it. Your roommates will be thankful, too. As well as your bathroom.

Still too embarrassed to ask all those questions? Google some gluten free restaurants in your area and grab some friends and try them! Places with gluten free menus make it easier to safely order effortlessly. And it’s super exciting to find GF friendly restaurants near school. Like, actually the most exciting thing that could ever happen to me since neon coming back into style.

Bottom line of this week’s post? Being gluten free means you can be social! Slowly learn to speak up and bring your friends along for support. You’re not being a diva. I promise. If anyone is, it’s Gwyneth Paltrow. I can just imagine her little blonde Barbie figure ordering half a grilled salmon and raw spinach leaves. Yuck. You’ll be fine.

Peace, Love, Gluten Free,

Brookitaa

6 Comments on "A Guide to the Gluten Free Lifestyle: Eating Out [One Month Challenge]"

  1. Sherbet and Sparkles says:
    Sun, 10th Jun 20124:19 am 

    I'm gluten free (and live in Germany). I wish this article was a lot more informative – there is a lot of advice out there for people who can't eat gluten. Like how you can have Asian rice noodles, or Japanese soba noodles as these are wheat free, or how you have to be careful with sauces which contain flour as a thickener.

    The gluten free life is hard and I myself slip up occasionally, but it is doable, especially in America where you have a lot more acceptance in restaurants of people with different diets.

  2. Issie says:
    Sun, 10th Jun 20123:29 pm 

    you should have mentioned why people who are not celiac would even choose to be gluten-free despite health professionals repeatedly saying there is NO benefit to living a gluten-free diet. I, for one, am one of the people that do not understand at all why this diet is any kind of beneficial if you're not celiac. giving insight as to why people CHOOSE to be gluten-free would really help us

  3. GiGiEatsCelebrities says:
    Sun, 10th Jun 201211:38 pm 

    Actually what's cool is if you have food allergies, are gluten-free, etc… I am actually working for these two guys who are releasing an APP for your smart phone soon to really help you out with all that! It will certainly help me as I don't eat wheat, dairy, gluten, soy, sugar, alcohol… and hopefully it will be able to help a lot of other people! :)

    WhatsGood!

  4. Deltaert says:
    Mon, 11th Jun 20128:08 am 

    Eating out is totally possible. Celiacs/gluten intolerants can be cool and social, too! I promise.

  5. Wholesale Food says:
    Tue, 12th Jun 20125:42 am 

    Maintaining good health by consuming gluten free foods is possible, provided some supplements are taken to prevent vitamin and mineral deficiencies. These supplements may be unnecessary if ample fruits and green leafy vegetables are included as a part of the diet.

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