Dining Out Gluten-Free Tips

Dining out gluten-free is fairly easy for those of us who are gluten-free for medical issues and health issues. People with Celiac disease really have a difficult time. Every meal comes with chips, bread or on a bun. Even, this week, I asked for no-bun on my tuna burger and the server brought out the tuna with a bun.

At a Mexican themed restaurant you get chips. At an Italian themed restaurant you get a baguette and olive oil. At an Asian themed restaurant they bring you a fried vegetable appetizer and a wheat based soy sauce. At American restaurant hamburgers and hot dogs come with a wheat-type bun. No wonder we have wheat issues. Another major problem comes with the fillers in certain foods;,hot dogs, bratwurst, frozen seasoned fries, MSG, added nitrates and just plain..too much salt.

Here is what I know:

Mexican:

• Order the fajita meal, but don't eat the tortillas, eat the rice and beans with the fajita and a fork.
• The enchilada are made of corn. Just stay away from the frozen spinach at Cameno Real.
• Meals served in Molcajetes are usually gluten-free.

Italian:

• Just avoid restaurants and stay at home. Even the salad dressing contains gluten.

Asian: 

• Avoid the spring rolls. Eat cooked cabbage. 
• Kung Pao Shrimp. Lots of veggies, no fillers and peanuts. Meals with hot sauce increases your metabolism.
• NO soy sauce if you are gluten-free. Many soy sauces contain wheat. Bring your own gluten-free brand.

American:

• Order the hamburger, no bun. 
• Order the regular fries and not the seasoned fries. Most seasonings or coatings contain some kind of wheat. 
• Grilled Chicken and grilled fish. Not blackened.

I do take snacks in my purse everywhere I go, just in case I can not find any gluten-free food. Here is one of my new favs. It's a Grapple. Tastes like a Concord grape with the fleshy goodness of a Pink Crisp apple. So Yummy. And it comes with a handle for the carrying bag. It is also GMO free and certified Organic.

Have a Happy Health-a-licous Day