Eating a gluten-free diet does not mean you give up dining out. What you need to dine out safely is to know the kind of food you are eating to avoid this protein. However, choosing gluten-free food is always the trickiest part of eating out for most people.
Fortunately, there are a few tricks that can help you avoid even cross-contamination with gluten. In fact, contrary to what most people think, you can still get the best gluten free pizza delivery right at your door.
In this article, we are looking at some of the practical hacks to eating out while being gluten free. These are tips and tricks that you need to have at your fingertips.
Here are six hacks to eating out while being gluten free.
1. Choose The Restaurant Wisely
The first and most crucial hack is choosing the restaurant to dine when you have a gluten intolerance. Due to the sensitisation of the health effects of this protein some cereal, many restaurants are now offering gluten-free food. But not all eateries can be trusted to offer 100% gluten free food. You need to know the procedure they use to prepare the food to ensure there is no cross-contamination while preparing the dish.
We recommend that you choose a certified restaurant for the matter. Even if you want to get the best gluten free pizza delivery, then you need to place an order from a reputable restaurant.
2. Talk Directly To The Manager Or The Chef
Although most people opt to instruct the server, it may not be the best option. A lot of details are overlooked when the information is being passed from the server to the manager or the chef. For instance, the ingredient may be distorted especially if the request is complicated. Therefore, talking directly to the chef or the manager is the best way to go about it. Tell him/her that you have celiac or gluten intolerance.
It is important to note that the server will not be in the kitchen. That is why you should talk to the person who will do the actual preparation of the food. In addition, most wait staffs are not trained in actual cutlery and thus may not have an idea what gluten-free food is all about.
3. Address Gluten Cross-Contamination Issues
Even if the restaurant may be promising to offer a gluten-free diet, the issue of cross-contamination can be prevalent. That is why you should address this issue with the chef. It is common with busy restaurants to share cooking surfaces, pans, utensils and so on. That is how the issue of cross-contact with gluten arises.
To stay safe, you need to discuss these issues with the chef. Ask them to use clean bowls, pans, and utensils that have been used for gluten food. They should also avoid using a grill that has been used for gluten food. Food with gluten threats should be kept away from your meal as well.
4. Question The Food Brought To The Table
Do not always trust the food that is brought to your table. There could be some mix-up from the kitchen gluten-rich food is served. That is why you should ask the person serving the food if it is gluten-free. Many people have been surprised at various occasions when the wrong plate is brought to the table.
Therefore, confirm from the restaurant staff serving the food if it is gluten free. If something that you did not order appears on your plate, do not hesitate to question. You might have been served the wrong plate. Make sure that you are 100% assured that the dish is gluten-free. If you had requested for a pizza, it is wise to confirm with the courier if it is gluten-free.
5. Dine Early or Late
The timing that you pick for dining is crucial when observing gluten-free food. This food requires to be prepared meticulously. With that in mind, it will be ill-advised to dine during busy hours. Therefore, dine early or late when the chef has enough time to look into your request and prepare the food.
6. If In Doubt, Don’t Eat
This is a very important tip if you are following a gluten-free diet. When in doubt about the food that has been served, it is wise that you listen to your conscience because in most cases, it does not lie to you. There are various instances that should make doubt the kind of food served.
First, if the restaurant staff including the chef seems clueless and yet they insist they offer gluten free food, it is wise to avoid their food. It is better to go hungry than risking food that safety is not assured.
If you are following a gluten-free diet, try these six hacks, and you will be impressed. If you love fast food, use the same tricks to get the best gluten free pizza delivery as well. The most important of all, choose the restaurant wisely.