One of my favourite past times is going out to eat a gorgeous meal with great company and indulging myself with the novelty of no dishes…

Now with the recent dietary changes I was aghast – would I be able to find anywhere that understood my requirements without them thinking I was some trendy diet fadder? Was it possible to go and find something other than salads on the menu?

So I bravely headed out – desperate to enjoy a casual lunch with my husband. We got seated and I explained politely I needed #glutenfree food and the server brought the biggest Lever Arch folder over and plopped it on the table taking my menu away as she went. After perusing for a good 15 minutes I thought lets be safe and get a greek salad … The salad arrived and I tried my best smile whilst my DD (dear darling) enjoyed his giant burger & chips. Food envy – anyone else? About 30 minutes later – there was that intense sharp pain across my abdomen and an urgency to get home … My Salad reappeared much to my surprise – I went online and googled the possible causes which all pointed to Cross Contamination. What is this contamination? CC is the process by which bacteria or other microorganisms are unintentionally transferred from one substance or object to another, with harmful effect. So a little bit of digging into the kitchen and it appears my GF Salad had been prepared in the same space the nonGF salads (with croutons – same utensils used) were made. Who knew how sick I could be from a tiny crumb? A week later and the cramps & bloating stopped…. Lesson learnt.

Top Tip #1 – when eating out ensure your tell your server that you have #coeliac disease – advise them of what you can/cant eat.

One disastrous experience can’t quell the love of food so we headed for a much loved local restaurant – D’Acqua. My lovely man researched ahead and spoke with them & much to my delight they had a full GF menu. We sat down and I expected the folder of doom but was handed a large menu with selections marked & ensured that all measures would be taken to assist me to have a fab meal. So many options for starter, main and the all important dessert that my heart still thuds thinking about it. We spoke with Jimmy & Hannah the owners and couldn’t express how much it meant to be able to enjoy great food without the worry. If you’re in #sunderland it’s a must destination for muggles or Coeliacs delicious 10/10.

Tip#2 It take some of the enjoyment away but using tools like http://www.findmeglutenfree.com and coeliac.org.uk you can find a list of safe places to eat with recommendations ensuring you don’t go hungry.

Another successful research brought us to The Clean Bean in Seaham near Sunderland. A newish bistro with a completely #glutenfree kitchen serving beautiful breakfasts, lunch and dinner with the sweetest service. They offer a take out service too and are coeliac uk accredited.

Have you got a go too restaurant? Have you got any tips to share for eating out?

Let me know in the comments

V x