To not go to the Christmas meal out as there’s nothing for me to eat?

[Anonnnny]

Every year my family and a family friend’s family go out for a Christmas meal at a local restaurant. It’s always the same restaurant, as it’s liked by everyone and there’s something for everyone there.

In the last year I’ve had some quite severe stomach issues, and I recently tracked it down to gluten. If I accidentally eat something that turns out to have contained gluten I get very ill immediately (I’ll spare you the details). I don’t yet have a diagnosis of coeliacs disease, as I can’t face eating gluten for 6 weeks for the diagnosis.

The restaurant we go to for a meal has no gluten-free options aside from steak and I’m a vegetarian. The only thing I think I can have is a bowl of chips. AIBU to not want to go just to sit there whilst everyone tucks into a full Christmas dinner with all the trimmings? Everyone is telling me I have to go as it’s our yearly tradition

Speak with the venue, I'm sure they can prepare you something if you ask in advance and if you are very delicate at the minute because of your stomach get your own food. You don't need just to get a bowl of chips. Just ask, there must be a better solution.

YANBU and I think your family are being selfish not even considering looking for a different venue! Have you had a look and seen if there's anywhere else that you could go to, with proper GF options?

Everyone saying to just phone the restaurant surprises me. I've been in similar situations several times - suggested restaurants that don't have anything on their menu that I can eat - and of those only one has ever made something specifically for me (and it was a salad with no dressing, and no protein, I stopped for a McDonald's on the way home because I was starving).
Now I just explain to friends/family that I can't eat at X place but they can pick somewhere else or carry on without me.

Don’t go. I have Coeliacs and have long since given up eating out unless it’s at a restaurant with a dedicated GF menu.

I tend to agree.

In a restaurant without a GF menu, contamination will occur even if you eat food that you are told is gluten free and I wouldn’t trust the cooks to not make a mistake on that point as with the PP who mentioned something gluten free being coated in flour to make it easier to work.