One of the greatest difficulties in dealing with celiac disease is what to do when eating out.  There will come a time when every celiac sufferer has to deal with this dilemma, whether because of a family celebration or because you are traveling.  Knowing how to deal with restaurants, their wait staff and cooks will go a long ways to making your dining experience a safe one.

If you like to go out to eat frequently you should look for restaurants that are receptive to your dietary needs and work to develop a relationship with the wait staff and chefs.  Educate them in what your dietary limitations are and helping them to understand what the hidden sources of gluten in their kitchen are.

When traveling you will need to call around to different restaurants and find ones that either already equipped to cater to your dietary needs, or have the knowledge and facilities to do so. There are many cities now that feature gluten free restaurants, or advertise their willingness to cater to your special needs; these should be your first stop.

If you are unable to find a restaurant that can cater to your needs, then you next step should be to speak with the staff at the restaurant you wish to go to.  Be sure they understand that not only can you not have gluten but that your foods must be prepared separate from other foods to ensure no contamination. There are many stories of an accidently dropped crouton or bread crumbs from one plate to the next making patrons very ill.

Many celiac individuals take special foods with them when dining out, such as pasta or bread.  Ask your server to speak with the chef and see if he is willing to substitute these items when making your meal, most restaurants will even discount your meal when you bring your own gluten free items with you.

There are guides online you can find if you are traveling that will help you find the restaurants that are best equipped to help you with your special dietary needs.  Don’t be afraid to call ahead or even visit the restaurant ahead of time to be sure you can get what you need, planning ahead will make your dining experience far more pleasant and give restaurant staff more time to plan for your meal.