Eating at salad bars

[csocain]

What has been your experiences when you have eaten at salad bars in restaurants? I have many more restrictions to my diet beyond the gluten free part that most gluten free foods in "safe" restaurants aren't "safe" to me. What about cross contamination with a salad bar? Also what about eating fruit plates or fruit from a salad bar? Any help would be appreciated. Praying that all of us can find something to eat away from home. Blessings!
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Carolyn

Surviving And Thriving By God's Grace

[NickisDragon]

In Michigan we have a steakhouse chain called Ponderosa that includes a salad bar. Twice I've eaten there--very carefully--and both times I've gotten glutened. I haven't figured out whether they're cooking the steak on a contaminated grill or whether they use the same utensils to fill the salad bowls. I won't be eating there again! It's just not worth it.
Good luck.
Nicki
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The Love we withhold is the pain that we carry.
Nicki

B-Day: January 18
DX: October 2005

[aklap]

Hi Carolyn,

Eating out is risky period. No matter where you go or what you eat. Unless you're eating at a strickly GF restaurant. (I know that does not clear you of all your other restrictions).

Salad bars in theory should be less risky. BUT, you have others that could drop things in. The other thing to watch is the salad dressing. I usually bring my own. Are you using their dressing?

Or you could be like SKBIRD aka Stephanie - she found out that many places wash their lettuce with a solution. She reacts to that solution. If I remember correctly it has citric acid which is derived from mold growth (no, it's not from citrus - go figure).

I wish you well!!
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Al

“We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” Mother Teresa

[csocain]

I have not tried to eat out since I started eating gluten free (or diagnosed with interstitial cystitis). I'd definitely have to take my own salad dressing with a salad bar. Can't have lemon juice, vinegar, citric acid, lots of preservatives, or lots of other things that they put in the dressings. Guess I'll be brown bagging it when I eat with friends. I took my lunch box with me the other night at a church meeting and ate my own gf/icf (IC friendly) foods while others ate theirs. That worked fine. Thanks for the input. Will keep on taking things one day at a time and trusting the Lord to show me the way. Praying that all of us are feeling good and don't get glutened through the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. Blessings to all!
_________________
Carolyn

Surviving And Thriving By God's Grace

[Professor]

Yup, risky business. I know lots of people (celiacs) who do so, and often get "glutened." My personal belief is that it just isn't worth the risk. Even when we travel, I bring my own, or shop in a supermarket and buy the usual stuff (packaged, safe, and no risk of cross-contamination).

Restaurants are a nightmare . . .

Lexi

[Jeannine1]

I always take my own salad dressing. It depends on the salad bar. I have found that i am usually okay at the local Souper Salads in the Houston Area, but I do not eat their salad dressings. each one of their ingredients comes in huge containers (from the kitchen) that they then fill the bowls on the line, so with that type of volume I think there is less chance of cross contamination.

The problem at a regular restaurant salad bar is the tongs & the croutons & the other wheaty stuff including the pre-grated cheese. People drop the croutons in the lettuce etc & they use the same tongs for the croutons & then pick up a couple of pieces of carrot with those same tongs. eeeek you did know that if the cheese is already grated & comes in a package that it probably has a wheat or a gluten something on it to keep it from sticking. so I stay away from the grated cheese stuff.

If it is a high end restaurant if you talk to the manager etc they will fix you a salad without any contamination, but you will have to explain it to them. I say things like you know it is like the peanut allergy, one speck & I am a goner !!!! you also have to mention, clean salad bowl, clean utensils, clean cutting board...

Also, you can ask your local CD group about where they eat etc. I have a nice list of GF restaurants for the Houston Area. My favorite places here are Pappasitos, Carrabas. Also, Cafe Express has great GF salads, the owner's wife has CD, so when you say no croutons they pay attention, well really a lot of the Houston restaurants are GF savvy thanks to a large part to the wonderful work of the Houston support group leader.

Re your steak cross contamination, I suspect that it is from the tongs, they use the same tongs in the kitchen for everything. They pick up a chicken fried steak then they turn over your steak - you are zapped for sure !!!!