Food Label Reader for life (hmmm new t-shirt idea) Eating out?? Bacon grease cross contaminates just about all fast food grills and deep fryers in some form. Not to mention many places the fry cook doubles as a cashier! They often do not hand wash in between tasks. “Only touched food not germs” They still touched handles/keys/monitors/money. We all know grease is hard to clean off, over heated popping grease can fly a pretty far, gums up and sticks to stuff too. How many people get food poisoning due to lack of hand washing? Bacon grease doesn’t wash off easily. Its still amazing how many places still use Lard instead of veg shortening. I avoid Mexican food and make mine at home.
I grew up eating pork just like my celiacs probably ate wheat products before they knew better. I had all the indgestion and unspeakable side affects for so long and so often I did not think to finding out the cause. My asthma caused me get tested for food allergies 10 yrs ago.
In my case, I now ONLY go to restaurants that do not serve ANY pork products on their menu and state in writing the type of oil or shortening they use.
Like many people, I grew tired of the “risk of contamination” from eating out. I can understand fear that most celiacs live with and the agony over food and eating out for similar reasons. Its difficult but do not shut down or shut out your life. Food is a major part of life and being in a social circle. Take it day by day! Stay positive. Its life altering. That does not mean life ends. I will be an informed buyer at the grocery store. My son/husband will benefit from the healthier change in food choices and diet.

EXAMPLE: I avoid ordering a Cobb Salad due to bacon bits, now its the coutons/bread/crackers/cheese I would eye in suspect. I will probably avoid ordering most salad dressings and just order water. I can still smile, eat well, until nearly full and enjoy the company of my family. Patience is a virtue!

Amazing that I stumbled on the diet/lifestyle by accident when a loved one went gluten-free and I went along for the ride. Glad I did. Right away I started feeling so much better physically and emotionally. It’s been more than a year now. And the longer I do it the more improvements i see. Never had an official diagnosis, but the results speak for themselves, as far as I’m concerned. Plus, baking gluten-free treats is not a bad hobby.

Best of luck to everyone navigating this.

Kim