Glutenised at a Restaurant

[Amy R.]

Hi I have been a celiac for 10 years now. I ordered food from the Big Bowl and they  glutenised me, I went to the hospital. I ordered chicken pad Thai. I think they gave me wheat noodles. Of course the restaurant denied everything. But as soon as I took a few bites I fell ill. They did not pay the hospital bill. 
I probably will not eat out for a while. But how should I be prepared if this ever happens again. Restaurant will deny  it. There’s got to be something we can do. 

[trents]

Welcome to the forum, Amy R. !

Recent studies show that eating out is the number one sabotaging activity of those trying to eat gluten free. One major problem in that setting is the fact that what you order may be inherently gluten free but gets significantly cross contaminated in the cooking and handling back in the kitchen where it is not separated from gluten-containing foods. The customer has very little control over this but the more questions you ask and a willingness to be assertive can go a long way. Thinks like insisting that what you order is cooked in it's own pots and pans. The best strategy is to avoid eating out unless it is absolutely unavoidable. 

Do you consider yourself a sensitive celiac in that the smallest amount of gluten elicits a reaction?

[Amy R.]

Yes, I am extremely sensitive. I try to stay away from restaurants but once in a blue moon 😭 I go out to eat.