How to stay gluten-free when eating out |
Posted: March 7, 2018 |
The days of difficult dining for those on a gluten-free diet are nearly behind us. More restaurants than ever before are offering gluten-free menus or alternative versions of popular dishes. Similarly, more people understand what it means to be gluten-free than ever before – and what it means to prepare a gluten-free meal – than was the case a decade ago. However, there is still a long way to go until those with gluten intolerances or coeliac disease can claim to be adequately catered for across the board in UK restaurants. If you have gluten-free dietary requirements it’s likely still common for you to encounter problems when eating out in a restaurant you’ve not visited before, with issues most often relating to cross-contamination. To enjoy a restaurant meal without the fear of accidentally ingesting gluten, there are some rules you can follow to ensure you stay safe.
Be careful when choosing a restaurantIt’s true that people on gluten-free diets have to be a bit more selective when deciding where to eat, but once you get used to planning in advance you’ll realise how much it’s worth it to prevent you from being put at risk. Restaurants with specific gluten-free menus are always a good choice because the staff at these establishments have usually been trained to prepare and serve gluten-free food in a way that avoids cross-contamination. If you are looking for more options, local ethnic restaurants usually have gluten free meals, and some local restaurants will be happy to prepare a gluten-free meal if you just ask in advance. Talk to a chef or managerYou might not have to do this if you visit a restaurant where all employees have been trained in the delivery of gluten-free meals, but sometimes it’s just easiest to make specific requests to the person who’ll actually be preparing your food. Though waiting staff are usually happy to help, having them relay questions or requests to someone else before returning to your table doesn’t work very well and there’s always a risk that an important detail could be overlooked. Ask if you can speak to the chef or a manager and discuss your dietary requirements with them to ensure your food is prepared safely.
Be clear about cross-contaminationEmployees most likely know which ingredients to avoid serving you, but they might not be aware of the extent to which cross-contamination is a problem for gluten-free eaters. Take a moment to raise contamination concerns to the chef and if you’re not confident that the restaurant has procedures in place to prepare gluten-free meals, make the following requests:
If your server is bringing gluten products to the table for the rest of your party, ask for your food to be kept at a distance from these to avoid crumbs making their way onto your plate.
Ask questionsIf you are not sure about something, the only way to eliminate risk is to ask an employee. Restaurant staff want to serve you a delicious meal and are happy to help, so don’t worry about raising any concerns. If you are looking for a gluten free restaurant in London, visit M RAW. To find out more about our delicious, 100% gluten-free cuisine before visiting their website.
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