My advice for eating out as a coeliac if you’re struggling with the anxiety and trusting someone else to make your food!
I’ve recently had a few people message me regarding their struggles with eating out and trusting someone to not make you ill. And I want to say first and foremost, your feelings are valid and you’re not alone. I know it can be hard when people disregard your feelings and don’t understand why you feel that way. But no one went through what you experienced.
My biggest advice is to take baby steps, depending on your confidence with eating out or whether you trust no one everyone is different so start with baby steps. For example, someone messaged me who just found it very hard to commit to plans with their friends as whenever they would go out for food, they wouldn’t eat what they ordered because they didn’t trust it wouldn’t make them ill.
My advice to anyone who is struggling to commit to plans and eat out in a restaurant is this. You are in control of where you go (I know you can feel pressured to eat out somewhere) but your friends and families will understand that you want to go somewhere you know and feel safe eating. And if someone makes a fuss or makes you feel bad for this then they don’t truly understand or care about you enough. Because it is super scary at first but with time, you’ll build up courage to trust places.
So, look for restaurants which are accredited by the CoeliacUK. This means that the venue and staff have been under strict audits and extensive training to make sure they can meet your gluten free standard, and you can be worry free!
For example, Bills has just been accredited! So, I will be making a list of places which are accredited but for the meantime the Coeliac U.K. site has this list on their website!
If you’re feeling a bit more confident than you can go to restaurants which are recommended by other coeliacs or use theFind Me Gluten Free app to look at comments& reviews by other coeliacs which will make you feel reassured. I also have a list on my website of restaurants in the U.K. which coeliacs recommended through the coeliac Facebook page to me! So, these are all chain restaurants which are gluten free and safe!
It does take time to gain the confidence, but you must take small comfortable steps as well as pushing yourself to take those steps. A girl went from never going out for meals to going out for her first meal to an accredited Coeliac UK restaurant! By taking that first step she has now enabled herself to feel more confident and trust in other people preparing her food which will have such a positive impact on her day-to-day life!
Another recommendation is to use a restaurant card, depending on your levels of confidence. For myself, I’m not the most confident person so a card with all the information on makes it easier for me to ensure I don’t miss out on any information. This takes away the worry of any misunderstanding and makes it clear to the restaurant what you can and can’t eat etc. So, I offer this on my Etsy store, I have a digital download as well as travel cards which have an English side to them! This a personal preference for me but I do advice you try it too!!
If you’re struggling or just want someone to talk to, my messages are always open, and I will always try to help however I can!
Don’t be afraid to ask for her but also try to push yourself to take that first step out of your comfort zone, as it will make your life easier and more enjoyable as a coeliac! You’ve got this!
My Tiktok on my advice may also be helpful for you!
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