Going Gluten Free? Tips From the Trenches

Irish Night!

This past weekend I attended a wonderful Irish-themed benefit dinner for an animal-assisted therapy program in my area. As a gluten-sensitive vegetarian I usually get nervous about these types of events. I always wonder if catering companies are able to (and care to) work with guests with special dietary needs.

Gluten-free. Dairy-free. Nut-free. Soy-free. Wheat allergy. Lactose intolerant. Egg allergies. There sure are lots of dietary restrictions out there.

Thankfully, my dinner was fabulous and filled with whole, unprocessed foods. (For those who are wondering, I was served a tangy Irish salad topped with seasoned beets and red onion; a main course of seasoned red potatoes, grilled asparagus and a portabello mushroom cap filled with a chunky tomato sauce which was topped with melted mozzarella cheese; and a chocolate souffle drizzled with Bailey's Irish Cream sauce for dessert!!)

Learning to travel and dine out with a gluten sensitivity (or any food allergy) can be difficult. Here's a few articles I've written about making the transition to a gluten-free diet safely:

Gluten-Free Roadtrip: Tasty Travel Tips

Common Food Allergies: Starting a Gluten-Free Diet

Celiac disease diet: Gluten-free food list

Do you have any tips for dining out with a food allergy? Please share in the comments below!

Until Next Time,
Choose Healthy!

Angela Tague
Whole Foods Living

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