Crab Legs And/or Other Fish?

[jmengert]

This will be my first time I have travelled far from home since going gluten-free. I'm going to the Outer Banks/VA Beach area over Easter and wondered if I can pretty much guarantee that crab legs would be gluten-free, as long as I bring my own butter (would I have to bring my own butter?). Any thoughts on that? Or, thoughts on other seafood or easy restaurant options to be gluten-free? (baked potatoes, salads, etc.)

Thanks for any help anyone may have!

[MySuicidalTurtle]

Fish and seafood is usually gluten-free aslong as it's plain and you talk to the staff so they know to be careful. Salads are usually never gluten-free.

Good luck on your trip! Don't be shy and make sure you get what you want and stay healthy!

[pixiegirl]

Well in a round about way, I've been dealing with this issue for years even though I just went gluten-free in Sept. 2004. My daughter has peanut and tree nut allergies (life threatening) and on top of that, is a picky eater. My daughter and I have traveled extensively and we have never had a problem with her food so now that I am gluten-free I am doing the same thing for myself as I do with her.

The only sort of restaurant we've had problems in are big chain places so unless you know they are gluten-free friendly (like PF Changs, McD or Outback) I'd stay away from them, but in small mom and pop places or nice places with a "chef"... or local joints I just tell the manager and waiter that my daughter has life threatening food allergies and that we need her food cooked plain. I'd pick something off the menu that she liked (salmon, chicken, etc) and tell them to just grill it, no sauce, no seasonings and they are happy to. When they hear the words "life threatening" they listen.

Now when I'm out on my own, I don't usually say "life threatening" (unless I feel they are not listening to well) but I do say I have food allergies and I need my food done a certain way. I have not had any problems getting my food grilled plainly, a baked potato, steamed or sauted veggies. I react to gluten very obviously so I know when/if they screw up and its only happened once and that was at Outback (sadly).

In good restaurants I usually go thru the song and dance about gluten because they have a chef and they know what's in their food, sauces etc. I was in Mortons in Houston a few weeks ago and I actually had the sauces and such because the chef assured me that he would never us flour to thicken a sauce, he made it perfectly clear they are reduced and thickened by cooking them down. They really went out of their way for me and even our server was very nice. She asked if we'd even like bread at our table (my boyfriend is not gluten-free, so yes he wants the bread). On the steak I had he didn't want to use Morton's seasoning but seasoned it with olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper. It was a wonderful meal.

Susan

[lovegrov]

Steamed, boiled or broiled seafood should almost without exception be safe. Ask about their spices, usually there's no reason in the world to eat it plain. If you're in a place that uses Old Bay or Zatarain's, both are gluten-free.

richard

[angel-jd1]

Salads are usually never gluten-free.

I'm curious what you mean by this?? Salads are just veggies. Request that croutons be left off. Bring your own dressing. Couldn't get any easier.

-Jessica

[rmmadden]

When I go on business trips I get the hotel to put a mini-fridge in my room (if one isn't already included) and I visit the local health food store. That way I stock-up on safe foods to eat.

When dining out remember to ask a lot of questions. Do the mashed potato's include chicken broth? Do crutons or garlic bread come on the salad? If you are diligent you can enjoy yourself without getting "Glutened"

Good Luck!

Cleveland Bob

[VegasCeliacBuckeye]

"Salads are usually never gluten-free"

Not true...

Just ask for no croutons and oil/vinegar on the side.....easy!

Or got to the store and buy one of Annie's dressings ( I like the Green Garlic) -- she has like 30 salad dressings that are gluten-free -- it says it on the back!

[MySuicidalTurtle]

Any place I have been to (and I travel a lot) has said that they could not claim thier salads to be glutenfree. Even Outback needs to mix them in a clean bowl. I have been many to places with glutenfree menus too whose salads are not gluten-free. Just from my experience, I have only found one place that had an already gluten-free salad without preparing it differently.

I should ave said to make sure you ASK if their salads are gluten-free rather than ASSUME they are.

Richard is right about Old Bay. . .mmmm, I love it!

[VegasCeliacBuckeye]

Turtle,

The problem usually lies in the "bowls" they mix the salds in.

If you order your dressing on the side -- they will not touch the contaminated "bowls"

I have never heard of a problem with Red Wine/Balsamic Vineagar and Olive oil on the side -- 99% of restaurants have little cruets you pour on yourself.

This is assuming we are talking about vegetable salads without meat or deli meat.

[MySuicidalTurtle]

I really don't know what you are talking about, broncobux.

I always ask to speak to the proper people when I am looking at what to order and am usually told that they "cannot guarantee" their salads to be gluten-free.

I don't eat animals so veggies are the way I like to go and I don't really ever eat salad dressing when I travel or am here, unless it is my own.

Other than Outback (which is everywhere) I have only found one place wth a gluten-free menu that had gluten-free salads. I am only talking from my expereinces of traveling about in the US.

[VegasCeliacBuckeye]

Turtle,

I think I am confused by yuor query to the restaurant people.

Being a former waiter for 9 years, I can tell you that nothing in a restaurant can be "guaranteed" gluten-free.

However, if salads are just veggie salads (i.e. lettuce, tomatoes, veggies, etc) and you ask for them to be served "dry" (i.e. no dressing) and you ask for oil/vinegar on the side, I am not sure how gluten could get in your salad. (Obviously, no croutons).

Food is defintiely one of my passions and salads are one of the easiest things in a restaurant to get gluten-free.

BTW, I am not intendening this message to be rude or "matter of factly", I just know from my experience that salads can be served gluten-free easily.

[MySuicidalTurtle]

We just have had very different experiences.

[ianm]

I travel a lot for work and have never had a problem with salads. I say no croutons of course. I always request olive oil and balsemic vinegar for dressing and have had no problems. I've never had a problem with shell fish. Just don't eat the breaded stuff. However I am not extra sensitive to gluten. I can take a small accidental gluten bullet once in a while and still function. My energy dips a bit but nothing that really knocks me out. Any gluten residue on a bowl or utensil used to prepare a salad may not be enough to cause a serious reaction for me.

Ianm

[jmengert]

Thanks to everyone for your helpful tips. I used to eat out a lot, prediagnosis, and now I'm so afraid to eat anywhere, so it's nice to know that people have good experiences. Now I can look forward to eating fresh seafood without worrying (well, without worrying too much )

Thanks again!