Super Eco

Photo credit: Geoff604, flickr

Dining out gluten free can be a challenge, depending on where you live. Traveling GF is also problematic, unless you are headed to a metropolitan area like Boston, Seattle, New York City or San Francisco. For overseas travel you may find this international gluten-free restaurant guide useful.

Here are some helpful tips:

1. Fully acquaint yourself with what a gluten free diet entails. Familiarize yourself with "safe" foods.
2. Research the restaurant you are planning to attend and speak to a knowledgeable employee about your restrictions and needs prior to arriving.
3. Inquire fully about their gluten free options.
4. Inquire on the phone before-hand how they handle cross-contamination. This is a good time to ask key questions about things such as flour thickened sauces and breaded foods.
5. I try to decide what I will be eating--before arriving at a restaurant--so that I do not take up too much of my busy server's precious time.
6. Be assertive, in a gentle way, informing your server about things like "no croutons on salad".
7. Try not to be super hungry when arriving at an eatery, you do not want them rushing--and possibly making a mistake--to get your food.
8. Bring back-up snacks, just in case. I always travel with some food in a very small cold-bag in my car or purse.
9. Keep it simple--wholesome straightforward food--with fewer ingredients, is sometimes best.

When dining out GF remember: well begun is half done, then go out and have some fun!