Finding Restaurants That Serve Gluten Free Food – A Time Consuming, Frustrating, Experience

Celiac disease is a medical condition where the surface of the small intestine is damaged by the gluten that is found in grains such as wheat, rye, and barley.  The gluten sends a signal to the body triggering an autoimmune reaction, which has much the same result as food poisoning.  The symptoms from eating gluten vary, but often it results is diarrhea and abdominal pain.  The damage caused by the gluten prevents the bowel from absorbing the nutrients, which are necessary for good health.  The long-term result can be permanent damage to the bowel and malnutrition.  Depending on the person’s gluten sensitivity, even a tiny amount of gluten may be all that is required to trigger a reaction.  The only treatment for celiac disease is abstaining from eating gluten forever.  There is no known cure for celiac disease.

Restaurants are starting to become more aware of the problems Celiacs face and many restaurants can prepare gluten free food.  The problem for Celiacs is finding those restaurants that can serve them safely. Travel can be especially difficult when one is not familiar with the restaurants in the area.  Finding a restaurant is a simple thing for most people, but for a Celiac it can be a time consuming and frustrating experience. When most people travel they find a restaurant that looks good and stop to eat.  When a Celiac wants to find a restaurant they stop and ask if the restaurant can serve gluten free food.  Often this question is met with a blank stare from the server, so moving on is the only choice. When a restaurant says they can serve gluten free food a Celiac needs to decide if in fact they can.  Usually this is done through a series of questions, if the answers seem reliable the decision may be to stay for a meal. If the food is contaminated with gluten, the Celiac is the one who suffers not the restaurant employees.

A comprehensive guide, that can find restaurants that serve gluten free food anywhere in North America, is what is needed.  The Celiac Restaurant Guide was developed specifically for this purpose, it is quick and easy to use, and free.  Enter an address or city and a map pops up showing the restaurants near you, that can serve gluten free food.  Try it out: Celiac Restaurant Guide