Eating out

Eating out when you have coeliac disease can be a challenge, although there is no reason why you should not enjoy meals out. It simply means taking extra precautions. One of those is to relay your dietary requirements every step of the way.

Restaurants

When planning a meal out, ring beforehand, speak to the headwaiter or chef to explain your situation. They may not necessarily understand about coeliac disease so you may need to explain the requirements of a gluten-free diet.

Highlight what foods are gluten-free and suitable to eat.  Provide specific examples of what isn’t safe e.g. wheat flour in sauces, breadcrumbs, croutons, oil used for foods containing gluten.  If an ingredient is bought-in, such as stock cubes, they can check the ingredients’ list as they are covered by the same EU-wide labelling legislation as foods in the supermarket.

You may also need to explain why it is vital you have their assurance they will take great care to avoid any contamination with gluten-containing foods. Once you arrive at the restaurant, check again that your request has been relayed to those necessary.

If there is nothing suitable on the menu, ask if the chef could do you something else gluten-free. Many restaurant chefs are happy to do this once they know the reason for the request.

Avoid sauces unless you are sure they are safe for you.  If in doubt, leave it out!

Takeaways

Certain considerations are necessary when ordering takeaways.  Some quick tips are listed below and there is more information on world cuisines in our Cooking folder.

• Fish and chips: avoid chips if they are cooked in the same oil as battered fish. Removing batter from fish does NOT make it safe to eat as it will already have been contaminated with gluten.
• Chinese: avoid wheat noodles and soy sauce. Be careful of contamination if dishes that contain gluten are cooked in the same pan as your food.
• Indian: avoid breads. Most dishes are thickened with chickpea flour which is gluten-free, but remember to check.
• Pizza: conventional bases are unsuitable for people with coeliac disease. Some chain outlets can cook your gluten-free pizza bases if you supply them with one, although contamination in the kitchen may be an issue.
• Fast food: Some products from fast food outlets are listed in Appendix I of our Food and Drink Directory.

Tools that can help

We have launched our online 'Eating Out Without' guide to gluten-free eating. Members can upload details of places where they have had a positive experience eating gluten-free. This is available for members only, so be sure to have your username and password ready before you login.

Your voluntary support group will also have local knowledge of good places to eat. 

Raising awareness among the catering industry is an ongoing and key aim for Coeliac UK.  We have a dedicated area on our website for caterers, so you can direct people to this page.