To ask what coeliacs can eat at a Chinese all you can eat

[SneakySnackySquirrel]

My friend is allergic to gluten. Tbh I don't know if she's allergic, allergic or just sensitive to it if that makes sense. We live in different parts of the country and I haven't seen her since all this was identified.

We are meeting up for a weekend away next week (I'm soooooo excited!!!) and I'd like to go to an all you can eat Chinese that I've heard lots about. Thing is, she's lovely but has always been a bit of a martyr about food even before she was diagnosed. I'd suggest going there but she'd rather sit there with an empty plate than say she can't eat there.

So... are Chinese all you can eats suitable for coeliacs or even someone who is sensitive to gluten but not enough to worry about cross-contamination if that makes sense.

Not suitable at all. If she’s diagnosed, it’s not fussiness but an auto immune disorder.

It sounds like you don't have a clue what celiac disease is.
It's a serious auto immune disease that's triggered by even a crumb of gluten. She's probably always been 'funny' about food as she's likely always had symptoms.
You sound like a dick.

I've never said it's fussiness. I've never asked her to prove or evidence it. I'm asking on here aboit sonething I know nothing about so I don't put her in an awkward position when I know she wouldn't be very good at saying no.

If she said coeliac to you then that isn’t “just” an intolerance.
Wagamamas has a separate GF menu if there’s one near you. Apparently Pizza Express does too (my daughter goes there quite often).
Chains are often better tbh.

Allergy or intolerance - why does it matter? Why would you want to make your friend ill? Do you not like her?

Why not ask her where she’d like to go?

You know what, if I wanted to be a dick I could easily steam roller her into going there. I could happily chose all our food all weekend knowing she wouldn't say anything because she doesn't like to cause a fuss. I could just ignore her health condition and just expect her to deal with it by herself, knowing full well she wouldn't so I can do what I like.

Instead, I'm taking the lead and seeing whether what I want to do is suitable and then, as in this case, makimg alternative plans.

I'm not a coeliac, I don't know what food triggers it or what to avoid so rather than putting all the pressure on her, I'm trying to help.

But yeah, I'm a dick. Whatever.

@SteeperThanHell read the thread.

@sneakysnackysquirrel I know what you mean about an intolerance, my sister had this and it caused discomfort but not violent reaction. I think it is very harsh to call you a dick as you are clearly asking for advice to avoid being one. I don’t understand why some people h age to be so harsh online when they would be much more gentle in real life. You asked with the intention of being a good friend, you have your answer and sounds like you are acting upon it.

I don't think you are being a dick OP - I think gluten intolerance/allergy is spoken about so much and self diagnosed so often that you are confusing it.

If she was just intolerant then you may be okay. However, you have mentioned celiac which is a whole other ballgame and so much more serious - as pps have said the slightest cross contamination can have serious effects so it would be out.

I would speak to her and see if there is anywhere that she had been that she feels comfortable eating - some chains work best. Also watch out if you decide to cook for her - you will be surprised where gluten will show up in ingredient lists.

I would never touch a buffet but a normal Chinese may be able to cope however soy sauce contains gluten so check first

Also @SteeperThanHell there is a huge difference between allergy and sensitivity/intolerance and how people deal with them.

As I say, I have an allergy to grapefruit. I ended up in hospital for 2 days when I accidently ate some in a fruit salad. So I can't eat it at all.

I also have a sensitivity to dairy. This means I can eat it occassionally and don't need to worry too much about cross-contamination generally. However, if I eat too much I'm ill. So that is more management.

So yeah, very different things which have different actions.

Googling suggests coeliac / gluten sensitivity ARE different things. Maybe, being the dick I am, I shpuld make her fill put a 3 page questionnaire so I can decide which one she falls into.

Having CD is actually really difficult and excluded you socially from a lot of things. It's the cross contamination that makes it hard rather than just choosing GF foods. Travelling anywhere is hard so this will be a big deal for her.

Buffets of any description are generally out as people cross contaminate by using the same serving spoons in multiple pots.

Loads of places do cater though, lots of the big chains are fine. The best thing you can do is to ask where she's comfortable eating and go from there.

Celiac isn't an allergy or an intolerance. If she said she has celiac disease then she has an auto immune disease triggered by gluten!

I find tapas places to be the best for gluten free food.

Thank you @isittooearlyforgin and @CornishMaid1.

This post has actually upset me quite a bit.

Thank you to everyone who has been helpful.

I think you are being thoughtful planning ahead. Many places esp chains will state whether they have a GF menu on their websites. I'd recommend booking a table so you don't end up having to go somewhere unsuitable.

You might find it's actually easier for you and her to eat out now if she has a diagnosis and knows what to avoid as before she maybe was getting symptoms seemingly randomly which could have caused her to be the "martyr" you described and eating out to be a stressful experience.

As a coeliac, it’s not just about a reaction it’s whats going on inside and the cells dying and the huge cancer risk.

I wouldn’t go to one of these and eat but I would g for drinks if everyone was eating

And the reason I said you sound like a dick is because lots of posters have already explained what celiac disease is and you're posting about your (genuine) food allergy and going on about intolerances.

Oh I clearly missed that there was 5 pages. Sorry!

Nando’s is good. And Frankie and bennys.. basically anywhere with a dedicated fryer

Mob mentality compounded by being anonymous...don’t let it ruin your evening x

Turkish food generally seems ok as long as you avoid the couscous. Indian is usually ok too. I would still avoid a buffet in either as people might use the same utensils for many dishes.

Coeliac here. Chinese food and a buffet to boot would be a complete nightmare for me. Go for a curry instead.

Think people have got the wrong end of the stick that your friend has coeliac and you are confusing it with an allergy.

But the OP was very clear that you don't know whether she has coeliac or an allergy or an intolerance.

The coeliac.org.uk links below are very useful. Look for accredited restaurants, many places that advertise as gluten free do not consider cross contamination, it's a steep learning curve...

www.coeliac.org.uk/information-and-support/living-gluten-free/the-gluten-free-diet/eating-out/

www.coeliac.org.uk/information-and-support/living-gluten-free/the-gluten-free-diet/eating-out/use-our-gf-accredited-symbol-to-help-you-choose-where-to-eat/

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