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.

All you can eat buffets are, regardless of type, terrible for meet-ups where you want a good catch up - everyone is up and down like yoyos , trying to stuff in as much as they can for their £14.95. Choose somewhere calmer and a bit quieter, with a menu you can both enjoy.

Probably naff all - even soy sauce has gluten in it.

I didn't even know there was gluten in soy sauce.

It contains fermented wheat.

Las iguanas has a gluten free menu, most the pizza chains do gf. Independent places tend to be better than they were but lack the buying power to have much choice.

She can eat plain rice. Even the sauces are off limits.

A buffet is really risky, if someone uses the wrong tongs or spoon there’s a high potential for cross contamination. Your friend will need her own meal cooked specifically for her by a chef who knows about her condition and can cater for it. Chains are good because you can check out the menu online in advance. Pizza Express, Zizzi, Wagamama, Nando’s, Wetherspoons, etc.

Just wanted to add that for things that are intolerances or mild allergies, the last place someone wants to push the limits is while traveling. Who wants to be stuck in the bathroom or covered in hives on holiday?

Of course there is a difference between allergy and intolerance OP - but it doesn’t really matter which it is because they are both going to make her unwell. Obviously one more seriously than the other.

It was how you pitched her as a martyr in your opening post that set me on edge - almost like you didn’t quite believe her...

How totally weird that so many people have found some way of attacking the OP. Isn’t her question exactly what MN is for? And the whole thing has a happy ending because she now isn’t going to poison her friend by taking her to a Chinese restaurant. Also, what’s with the pathetic about buffet restaurants? Some people like them - get over it.

My best friend is gf. We have found one Chinese restaurant in the large city that we live in that will accommodate for gf. So if she has duck they present it in lettuce parcels instead of pancakes. Or the cook her meal separately without the sauce etc. even then there is only 2 or 3 options on the menu that she can have.
Buffet would be ludicrous at the best of times due to cross contamination, a Chinese buffet is just silly. Go somewhere else.
Your friend is not being a martyr she’s trying not to make herself very unwell

I would make a list of five or so restaurants that you like and email her the links. She can choose, job done.

Cote restaurants are good for those with coeliac disease. My father was recently diagnosed and has plenty of choice on their menu.

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

I disagree. It reads to me like op's friend has coeliac (she was diagnosed), but op doesn't understand the implications of that. Which is fair enough. I didn't either till I met someone with coeliac.

I do agree op is being given a hard time though, despite trying to get the info needed.

Good luck finding somewhere suitable op!

A word of caution about Turkish food ( and yes it can be good choice) Be very careful they are not using g bulger wheat in place of rice. Our local Turkish offers both. Obviously their lovely bread is out as well but worst checkingntjey are not warming it on same grill as meat.

MY SILs mother is celiac it's very very hard. Shes not just being fussy I've seen her very I'll asthe result of accidental gluten consumption

I have ibs, mine results in severe stomach cramps,, feeling ill and exhausted,. It is not. Being a martyr to not eat food that does this to you.

The martyre comment was referring to the friend not saying that she can’t eat something in advance, NOT her not wanting to make herself ill;
I'd suggest going there but she'd rather sit there with an empty plate than say she can't eat there.
That is martyr behaviour...

Why is everyone being so mean to OP? OP doesn't know if friend has a coeliac diagnosis. Or if she does, whether that's a proper medical diagnosis or something she's come up with by herself. She may not have an illness at all. Avoiding gluten is currently very trendy and lots of people choose gluten-free for a whole range of reasons.

I just want to make a comment on the difference between Coeliac and a sensitivity. I tested negative for coeliac, but it is 100% gluten that makes me ill. For years, my skin was grey, I barely ate because two mouthfuls of food would leave me in crippling pain. My brain was foggy, I didn't sleep because the pain kept me awake, I just felt permanently ill every single day.

And yet I have a friend who does have Coeliac and is pretty much asymptomatic. She knows she can't eat gluten, but if she does there are no symptoms.

So whilst they are different, being "sensitive" does not automatically mean it is less serious.

Anyway well done OP for trying to figure out what your friend can eat. Maybe just do a wee bit more online research to better understand what will work for her.

Why not just ask her?

Go for steak places or sea food places

Basically you need to be able to eat things in their most natural state it’s the safest way. So boiled potato and steak and salad etc.

Here is a list of chains
katiebucknell.com/the-best-gluten-free-chain-restaurants-in-the-uk/

I'm coeliac , I wouldn't eat anything at an all you can eat , cross contamination is a huge issue

Better a thai than chinese as stir fry or sizzling dishes can easily accommodate coeliac requests.
Toby Carvery usually ok & will do GF gravy on request.

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.
OP, I think you got the harsh comments because your first post, and following one did come across not very considerate of your friend. The above shows that you seem to think your friend is doing this on purpose but of course if she can't eat anything then she will have an empty plate! Plenty of people actually have had an intolerance for most their life but it didn't get diagnosed for years.

Also, you can't assume all allergies or intolerances are the same. For example my sister has a diary intolerance but she can hardly have any dairy. Even a small amount would cause her stomach to bloat so much she'd look pregnant and then she would get diarrhea, constipation and/or vomiting for the duration of the next day- doctors have said its an intolerance. So you saying that intolerance means someone have have a small amount is not only inaccurate but ignorant. Maybe just talk to you friend and ask her what her dietary needs are- seems a better way to handle this than asking all of us

Op @SneakySnackySquirrel download the glass onion app, its a restaurant finder for allergies and intolerances. Also most restaurants now offer a gluten free menu selection but the risk of cross contamination is still there so it depends how severe her coeliac response is.

She will know what she can and can't eat. So please ask her to have a look on Tripadvisor and find somewhere she likes the look of that does gluten free.

You might even have a local that does gluten free takeaway (using different friers) We have a couple near us.

Seconded @listsandbudgets our local turkish places bulk their rice out with flaked pasta!!!! 🙈