RE: invites out to eat/functions/etc

[Guest guest]

In terms of weddings....

As to not drive the bride crazy with one more little detail to handle, I will usually ask for their contact at the reception hall. I always play it REALLY safe asking for a plain piece of baked chicken with some steamed veggies (no seasoning) I've never encountered anyone that wouldn't oblige. If you have the Annie's dressing packets you can also bring them along to have so you can eat the salad course (I just recently did that at my own wedding in June!) And if you get lucky with a REALLY nice contact, they usually try to bring you fruit salad at dessert so you can savor some sweetness too! Hope this helps...good luck and enjoy!

-Lori

[Guest guest]

Carla,

You have two basic choices, either check on the food ahead of time or eat before you go and bring a GF snack (or do both to be safe!). It is perfectly OK to contact the family and explain about your diagnosis (when explaining the diet I find it can be helpful to use the phrase "medically required diet" so that they understand this is a prescribed diet, not a food preference) and tell them you would like to contact the caterer (or whoever is preparing the food) so that you can find out what will be safe for you to eat. If you find that there is little safe to eat, sometimes the caterer is willing to prepare a special dish for you, such as chicken without the flour-thickened sauce. If that is not possible, then you may need to use the second option.

I always try not to go to such events hungry, even if I am expecting to find food I can eat; this makes it easier to deal with any unexpected problems or delays. Having a power bar of some type in your purse can also help. You can also bring your own crackers if they are having cheese or cold cuts (check on these first), or just to snack on. This is a case where advance thought and planning can make your experience so much more plesant.

Some people feel very uncomfortable asking for special treatment or being seen as "different"; these are important feelings to deal with. I recognize that most people are understanding and kind and want to help and accomodate you. Those that are not need education or are having a bad day; in otherwords, their attitude is their problem, not mine. A good book that addresses this topic is "The Gluten-free Bible" by Jax s Lowell. Sorry to get off on this topic when you may not even have issues with this, but I find that many people do, especially when they are new to CD. What is important to remember is that you are going to this event to celebrate with your friends, not to eat a meal.

Pam Newbury Santa Cruz Celiac Support Group 831-423-6904 pknewbury@...

-----Original Message-----From: [mailto: ]On Behalf Of piglet95037Sent: Saturday, August 19, 2006 10:17 PM Subject: [ ] invites out to eat/functions/etc

My bf and I received an invite to a wedding today. How do you all dealwith functions such as this? We're absolutely more than willing to flydown and celebrate with our friends, but I'm not sure how to deal witheating while at the reception.Any thoughts would be weclomed.Thanks,Carla