Whether you've cut gluten out of your diet voluntarily or due to developing an allergy or intolerance, eating out won't be quite as straightforward as it once was. So many foods contain gluten, but with a little planning, and a willingness to be flexible about what you order, you can still enjoy eating out. Going to a restaurant is a social event often shared with friends or family, and restaurants tend to try their best to accommodate special dietary requests, but there can still be some uncertainty on your part when a gluten-free diet is new to you. Here are some tips for enjoying eating out without gluten;
Get Familiar With Naturally Gluten-Free Dishes
Some restaurants have a gluten-free menu you can order from, but when you need to scour through the restaurant's entire menu to determine what might be suitable, it can feel overwhelming. Make a list of popular dishes that are naturally gluten-free and then you can simply skim the menu for those dishes. For example, Caprese salad, sushi, steak, rice noodle dishes and frittatas tend to be gluten-free.
Create Your Own Dish
If the restaurant you're visiting doesn't have a lot of gluten-free choices on the menu, look at what's on offer and see if you can substitute the gluten-containing part of a dish for something suitable. For example, if a dish comes with a side of pasta, perhaps ask for potatoes, salad or corn on the cob instead. Similarly, if you want to order a burger and there are no gluten-free buns available, ask for it to be served in a large lettuce leaf or enjoy the patty with some extra sides. You can also simply combine several side dishes, such as salads and potato or rice dishes to create your own main meal.
Check For Hidden Gluten
When you're newly gluten-free you may feel a little uncomfortable discussing your dietary requirements with your server, but they will be used to helping diners ensure their meal is suitable. Let your server know you are gluten-free and ask them to confirm that there's no hidden gluten in the dish you want to order. Common sources of hidden gluten include gravy, creamy sauces, soups, dressings and batter. Your server can liaise with the chef to ensure your meal is suitable.
As you can see, there are lots of ways to make sure your eating out experience is enjoyable when you're avoiding gluten. Take your time to consider the menu choices, communicate openly with restaurant staff and then enjoy your meal.
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Share11 April 2023
Eating out should be a fun experience. If you are tired of spending evenings out with your friends and family which you don't quite enjoy, you have come to the right place. Here, we aim to bring you all of our top tips which will help you to have a great evening of food, drink, and laughter. While we don't work in the restaurant industry, we do have a passion for eating out. This passion has driven us on to research and write the articles you see here. Read on to find out about different cuisines, interesting dishes, and much more!