Eating out on Paleo or AIP

[joromero]

I'm just curious - how do you all manage when eating out? I find that I usually order a steak or plain ribs for example at a restaurant but since we've been paleo (and I've been AIP) we don't eat out as much as we used to, because it's often a bit of a palava, and you're never quite sure what you're eating (hidden sugar/gluten, etc). Reading discussions online, it also seems that there are more AIP/Paleo convenience products - special flours, paleo protein bars, etc - available in the US than over here. I'd be interested to hear thoughts from my fellow UK paleo followers on this...

[victoriap]

I have only eaten out twice since starting this. First time I had steak and brocolli.....I didn't like the steak ....I'm sure it was marinated even tho I asked for plain and I kept imagining all the gruesome things I mighty be eating. Second was this morning ....my daughter wanted to go to Cracker Barrel before church. I had fresh fruit.

[joromero]

It's really tricky isn't it - we eat out much less but on the upside we do save a bit ore money cooking our meals from scratch.

[frecs]

I'm definitely eating out much less often! But, one thing I don't want to miss out on are the "fellowship" lunches after church on Sundays. I go, encouraging the selection of a restaurant that I can at least get a decent salad. I take my own salad dressing and do some creative "recreating" of the salad options -- and then I steadfastly focus on the reason I'm there--fellowship!

[space]

that's lovely frecs...own dressing is brilliant. a jam jar could be smuggled in most places surely and a ginger tea bag...tho am finding lemon and ginger quite often here in swansea. x

[space]

swansea, wales, uk that is! Where are you?

[greystorms]

I ask for the gluten-free menu, usually, and eat off that. For more fast-food type places, it's often easier to make choices: Chipotle and Five Guys are both very gluten-free friendly, for example.

[frecs]

May 7, 2014 14:15:38 GMT -5 space said:

swansea, wales, uk that is! Where are you?

I'm in the a small town on the coast of North Carolina, USA...I responded originally not noticing that this was a UK thread. mea culpa.

[Erin]

Aside from a hangry/desperate stop at Chipotle (which was more $ than it was worth) I haven't eaten out. I am trying to iron out plans with friend to go out to a local paleo friendly place soon. Hopefully I'll be able to keep it AIP also.

[Annk]

To be honest we don't go out often at all..most of the time I just can't be bothered trying to pick something I know I could prepare at home with better ingredients and cheaper. Plus on top of the usual Paleo gluten/wheat/dairy I got another 20 food intolerances so it really is a pain. A number of times I ate out from a gluten free menu, checked for all my known intolerances and still ended up sick..naming and shaming Frankie and Benny's and Wagamama

[joromero]

I think it's worse because nightshade, seed spices etc are in the seasonings on fries and meat - I ordered sweet potato fries from one restaurant and thought I was safe and then they arrived all crispy, coated in seasonings and a type of flour. Nothing like your own cooking, is there!

[pixelfrau]

I look at the menu first online or call the restaurant if they don't have one online. I try to find something that looks AIP-ish, tell the server I have allergies, and ask them to confirm that it's gluten- and dairy-free. Grilled meat/fish is usually a good option because it keeps mystery oils and sauces to a minimum.