Eating Gluten Free at Social Gatherings

Last week, I enjoyed a few parties with mamy of my friends. They were all fun gatherings and delicious food was part of the experience!

One of the things I always worry about is if there will be things I can eat at any potlucks or parties. To make sure that I have all of my bases covered, I employ some of the following techniques when I go out to parties, etc:

• Eat something small beforehand so that you won't be starving and tempted to eat foods you are allergic to if there are no other options
• Talk to the hosts. At a BBQ last Monday, I talked to my friends about the food they'd be having to get an idea of what I could eat. Asking can help remind friends to get corn tortillas instead of flour, to not add croutons to a salad, and so forth so that there's something that you can eat.
• 99% of my friends are very aware of my food allergies. In fact, a few of them enjoy telling new people that I'm "allergic to everything, including air" to illustrate the range of my food allergies. When I was a kid this used to upset me yet now I find it a surefire way to let people know why I eat only certain things out, why I insist that some foods or serving utensils are kept separate, and it holds me accountable to eating to best fuel my body and avoid obvious allergens. My friends are also fantastic and keep an eye out for foods I can eat and help make sure I get at least a taste!
• Offer to bring something!  This past weekend I was responsible for bringing a snack to one event and a dish to another. My snack was easy - GF tortilla chips. I grappled with my other choice because I was unsure of what everyone else was bringing. I ended up making a black bean and corn dip and brought chips to go with it.
• Keep an emergency stash in your bag. It could be a fruit and nut bar, piece of fruit, nuts, GF cereal, fruit leather, etc. but it's always good to have in case you don't have access to a store.
• Don't be afraid to bring something with you. I can remember my parents making stops to pick up food I could eat before dining at an Italian restaurant (pre-gluten free menu days) or going to a friend's house for a party or meal.This habit stuck with me and is something I still do. Last week, I assumed I wouldn't have any options at a fondue party and picked up a salad to eat. It was a smart strategy because there wasn't much else I could eat and I found myself wishing I'd gotten a bigger salad.
• It's not just about the food! (ironic from a food blogger...) At the end of the day, it's about so much more - who you're with, what you're doing, where you are, and more!

Whether you are helping your child feel comfortable on a field trip or at a birthday party or simply wanting to enjoy a potluck party to its fullest, talking to your host or hostess is the first step to ensuring you have a great time. Offer to bring something allergen-friendly for all of the guests or send your child (or yourself) with a GF treat similar to what's being served so that no one feels left out or different.

In my experience, people are happy to accommodate you and find something that you can eat while you're at the event. Don't be afraid to speak up and ask questions or give your host some suggestions of foods that are safe for you. People are much more aware of eating gluten-free and are willing to work to make you feel comfortable at an event!