On the Go

[dsimmons]

Any suggestions on eating out?

[desertrat]

Eating out is tricky. If you don't know what you need to eliminate from your diet, then it is really Russian Roulette for you and your stomach. With that said, I myself have eaten at Chick Filet A(grilled nuggets), Pei Wei, PF. Changs, and other restaurants that have gluten free items. Check your favorite hangouts and see if they specialize in GF items.

Mandy

[dsimmons]

Thank you, it appears that Gluten intolerance is common with this illness.

[cjbndtsn]

Check your local steak houses too. I have Longhorn's and Logan's that offer GF menus. Olive Garden, Red Lobster....and lots of pizza places now have GF pizza to offer. I personally don't eat out much now because of the scare of cross contamination and I'm saving money.........but occasionally I do go have a steak and potato.

[Christine.]

Darlene
I have several "safe" places where I know what and how to order. It is a bit of trial and error but call ahead or take a little card for the chef that outlines what you can (can't) have. I am lucky in that I don't believe I react to traces of contaminates. Others here really do! I know if/when I goof because with or without D I will get mouth sores within 24 hours. Good luck. If I go out I tend to stay in my safe places.
Christine

[tlras]

I only feel safe eating at Red Robin. They have gluten-free buns and I even eat some of their fries as the restaurant near us makes them in a separate fryer. I still eat out once a week. They have GF pasta at macaroni Grill but I'm convinced I'm getting cross contamination there....just don't feel quite right a day later. Now I'm paranoid about eating out and just now deciding to quit restaurants for awhile until my D goes away completely. As I mentioned before, I'm currently having no symptoms with the Pepto but once I get off I may need to stay away from restaurants if my D comes back. That's what makes me sad....my family loves to go out to eat.

Going gluten-free has been easy for me. However, I'm being a little naughty eating GF processed junk food which contains some ingredients that MC sufferers can't tolerate. So sticking to meats and a little veggies for now and rice.

You may want to be tested for food intolerances through Enterolabs. I think it's discussed on the forum somewhere. It's costly but I think I'm going to do it so I'll know right away what foods to give up besides the two main ones.....Gluten and Dairy. They really aren't good for you anyway. Some have gone totally Paleo, giving up all grains...but I just can't give up the rice right now....it's not going to happen unless Enterolabs comes back and tells me I react to them....otherwise I seem to do well with rice.

For now, I would stay away from restaurants till your symptoms disappear and then maybe try one of the safer ones like Red Robin and the others mentioned in other posts.

Hang in there and please ask anything you like. Tex is our expert (to me he is) and has written a book about the disease. I can't wait to buy it!

Terri

[Leah]

Welcome! I don't know your background and how bad you symptoms are right now, but if you are fairly new to this I would agree with everyone here and say that you are best not eating out until you have some healing and knowledge under you belt. I am at the 8th month mark and am finally putting my toe in the water with restaurants. I do best at Mexican ( corn tortillas, rice, chicken, avocado...etc) Bit it's easier now because I can now tolerate a little spice and a little tomato). Fish and rice works really well also for me. .... but like I said, this is after I did a stint of Entocort, gave up raw fruits and veggies for a good 5 months, and went GF,DF, and SF.

We are all different. It takes time and patience, but you CAN GET BETTER.
Ask away and good luck on your journey
Leah