Gluten Free Road Trip Tips

If all goes well, I'll be off on a road trip to Jasper, Arkansas this weekend.  There is one organic restaurant in town that serves food I can eat and has a small supply of GF necessities, but other than that, it's breaded and fried all the way.  Here are some tips for not having to stress when travelling into Glutinous territory.

1. I make a pot of GF spaghetti and meat sauce and divvy it up into plastic containers and store them in a cooler.  Then, I can eat anywhere on the road and supplement my meal with whatever fresh fruits/veggies I can find.
2. I bring a box of GF cereal and some bananas.  Then, breakfast is no sweat at McDonalds, Starbucks or anywhere else.  All I need is some milk.  I can even eat at a gas station.  It helps to bring disposable bowls and spoons.  Otherwise, just make do with available materials.  I've eaten cereal out of paper cups before.
3. Bring an emergency bar of some sort for every day just to have on you.  I like the chocolate Larabars and the chocolate and sesame seed KIND bars, but there are lots to choose from.
4. If you get really stuck, just go to a grocery store and search the outer ring.  You can always find fresh fruit and cheese for an emergency meal.  Also, don't forget a great alternative of apples and peanut butter.
5. There are a surprising amount of common junk foods in gas stations that are GF including my favorite - Cracker Jacks.  Don't overlook obvious other snacks like individual serving packs of nuts, even corn nuts and pumpkin seeds.
6. If you're out with friends, don't forget you won't have bread to soak up any alcohol, so consider that before ordering a cocktail before dinner.  
7. Keep your eyes and ears open for possibilities.  I went with a friend to a cafe in New Orleans, certain I'd be sitting there salivating as she ate a beignet (tasty, donut-like treat) and wound up with some scrumptious fresh lemonade and a bag of the best meringue cookies I've ever eaten!

Tips for dining out in the Dallas Fort Worth area

1. Be nice to your server, he or she is the only one standing between you and gluten!
2. No matter what happens, leave a nice tip and thank the server for his or her patience.
3. If the server does something above or beyond the call of duty for you, thank his or her manager.
4. When you sit down, tell your server that you have a serious allergy to wheat and gluten.  If you get a blank look, let them know, that means flour, soy sauce and modified food starch.  Some restaurants have an allergy protocol, so as soon as you say "food allergy" they know what to do.  Some don't.
5. Have a couple of ideas in mind for dishes you think are likely to be gluten free.  Some usually safe bets are: grilled chicken salad with no croutons, curries, mexican food made with corn tortillas, steaks, pork chops, baked potatoes, etc.
6. Make sure the server checks with the chef on every sauce and dressing on your food.  Most creamy looking dressings have modified food starch or wheat.  Clear dressings and vinaigrettes are a good bet, but always check.  Also, ask if anything has been marinaded and if the marinade contains soy sauce.
7. Don't be disappointed if your first choice is a bust.  If you get upset, they'll get anxious and might not tell you if there's gluten in your second choice so they don't upset you further.  Also, it's not fun for the other people at the table if you have a melt down.
8. Ethnic restaurants often offer a greater variety of GF food than traditional american bar and grills.  Indian, Thai, Vietnamese, Sushi (dipped in tamari) and Mexican restaurants often have more options.
9. If you order french fries, make sure they are cooked in a dedicated fryer.  If they are cooked in the same oil with breaded items like fish sticks or chicken nuggets, there is a huge danger for cross contamination.
10. You don't have to give up dessert.  Blue Bell vanilla ice cream is safe as well as most jello, creme brulee and flan.  The Cheesecake factory even has a GF cheesecake - their all-chocolate Godiva.
11. Be patient and try not to be too hungry when you go out to eat.  Remember, the first thing they usually bring out is bread!