I always check out menus before going to any new restaurant and often call them to ask about menu options and changes. It gets easier as your range of food and appetite improve but I doubt I'll ever tackle anything like a Thai place for some time.
You need to take the front seat and choose the places you eat at. My friends and family have grown accustomed to it being my choice of venue and time of eating. I'm sure yous will be just as kind. Never be afraid to get the best for yourself. Lets know how you get on.
Cas

Thanks Cas. It's good to know your family is so understanding. Choosing the restaurant would work sometimes, but isn't always an option such as my work group lunch yesterday.

So when you do go to a restaurant, what kinds of food do you order? It's hard to find something that isn't heavy on sauce, cheese, fried, etc.Their meals aren't bland as most people wouldn't order it.

Also, will I ever be able to eat things like pad thai and pizza again?

Are thigns like pasta ok?

Hi lu2013,
I hear you about work things. I had to give up work drinks when they switched to a Thai restaurant. I refuse to smell foods I can't eat and torture myself.
As to the foods you'll gain back we're all so different sadly. I don't know how long before I'll manage Thai out but home made pizza I'm up to. I could probably eat pizza out as I can now eat tomatoes, onion and garlic but haven't been brave enough to try yet.
When I first got these issues I wasn't eating much meat but struggled with non meat protein so began eating it again. When eating out I'd stick to pubs, clubs and taverns - places where I knew I could get a plain piece of chicken, steak or fish. Asking ingredient questions is second nature to me now and in three years I've only encountered wonderful and helpful staff at eateries. Pasta should be fine but eating out sauces may be tricky in the early stages. At home I eat gluten free to remove the stress of wheat and gluten on my gut. I still eat wheat products but only small amounts.
Hopefully this helps. If not please ask anything to help clear it up.
Cas

Thanks Cas. Tomorrow they are bringing in pizza after a work meeting so I almost feel like I have to have a piece (as wil be right there and I already was socially bad last time by skipping the group lunch. I don't feel ike explaining my stomach issues at work. Wish me luck. I'll have zantac and my nausea pills on hand. :-(

Question about pasta...what do you think would be the best choice...a light tomata based sauce or olive oil and garlic type sauce? I'm not into cream and cheese sauces and don't eat meat, but would tend to order oneo fthose. I am not at my worst state at the moment, but am getting daily nausea (which is managed with PPI, zantac and ondanestron for nauesa).

PS - I don't eat meat so don't have to worry about those, but do eat fish and seafood.

I encourage you to tell your workfriends as life will be so much easier. I'm a very private person but food issues are hard to hide so I told everyone. that is why I have such great support around me. I use to take my own food to shared work lunches ( along with a few other co-workers) and everyone knew why and were so understanding as I'm sure yours will be.
If you can manage the tomato onion and garlic that will be in the sauce then go for it. It took me over two years to try those ingredients.
Good luck and let us know how you went.
Cas

I'm really not close with anyone at work so would call them more c-workers than friends. But i wil say that my boss looked at me funny when i said I wasn't coming to the work celebration. I just didn't want to go in to explain to her and another that was there at the time.

One of the foods my GI said to avoid was tomatoes, which is why I was wondering about tomato sauce. I'm just not sure which would be a better choice...tomato based sauce, OR olive oil and garlic type sauce. Italian is a popular restaurant choice with friends.

In that case avoid both. I haven't eaten in an Italian place for three years. I've only got tomato, onion and garlic back and am still coming to terms with that. Friends or not I really encourage you to let work know you have some food intolerances just now and are limited to what and where you eat. I never have and never will sacrifice my health or comfort to eat where I know I can't or what I can't. It's not as easy path we walk but I've always preferred the pain free option. Please think about it. The small amount of discomfort telling people will be less than the pain trying to be 'normal' could unleash. We all have to adjust to a new normal with these issues.
Whatever you decide to do please know I will support your decision and you in any way I can.
Best of luck with the Italian. Maybe it will be better than I fear for you.
Cas

The risk is not worth it at work, but I was asking about the two pasta options as my friend and I often go to an Italian place....so was just wondering which would likely be the better choice. I would like to try one (rather than having to go somewhere and order toast or a plain bagel)...just to be able to have a nice evening out.

If you OK with gluten then plain angel hair pasta with olive oil(not too much!), steamed or boiled chicken breast and steamed veggies should be OK. Make sure that you can get it at the restaurant of your choice. Stay away from garlic, tomato, all souses, etc... You might want to try small portion of this at home first and see if your stomach OK with that.

I agree with Steve. great ideas. I experiment at home.

Good idea...to try a bit of pasta at home and see how it goes. I do have times of feeling normal (thanks to meds), but if I eat just a bit too much (which is a normal amount of food for anyone else) or the wrong thing, and I can be nauseous for days.

I think for going out with my friend (for my birthday celebration), I'll suggest an everything restaurant...so I can order something simple, but then enjoy dessert. We'll see.

Just need to see when is a good time to try the pasta at home.

If the CAN in your profile is for Canada why not try an Earls if there is one near by. You would have the choice of plainer foods or fancy for you friends.

Yep, I'm from Canada. Never heard of Earls but will look it up. Thanks.

I've had some yummy meals in the past and knowing the wonderful Canadian service I'm sure they'll take care of your tummy.