There are numerous gluten-related disorders, including but not limited to celiac disease and wheat allergy, the symptoms of which can manifest in all kinds of unpleasant side-effects, like bloating, abdominal discomfort or pain, diarrhea, constipation, muscular disturbances, headaches, migraines, severe acne, fatigue, and bone or joint pain.
Many people don't realize they suffer from gluten-intolerance until later in life. For example, when tennis pro Novak Djokovic eliminated gluten, dairy, and tomatoes from his diet, he said the results were palpable: "I was lighter, quicker, clearer in mind and spirit...I could tell the moment I woke up each morning that I was different than I had been, maybe since childhood. I sprang out of bed, ready to tear into the day ahead," he reports. Similarly, not long before we published her book Decide to Play Great Poker poker pro Annie Duke discovered she fell into the gluten-intolerant group, altered her diet accordingly, and says it completely changed her life for the better. She's just one of around an estimated 18 million Americans affected and, as awareness increases about how common this condition is, the more restaurants are catering to its sufferers.
Some of the stand-out options we can recommend in Las Vegas include: Mint Indian Bistro (on Flamingo, a few blocks east of the Strip), which offers an extensive menu of gluten-free dishes (and the same goes for veggie- and vegan-friendly options, too), plus several gluten-free beers and wines; Komol, the Thai restaurant on E. Sahara (in the same eclectic plaza as the Green Door swingers club, Onyx Theater, the famous Thai Spice, and a large pool hall), which also has full menus catering to those with food sensitivities and allergies; popular French bistro Mon Ami Gabi at Paris, which offers indoor and Strip-side dining, with views of the Bellagio fountains; Bally's Sterling Brunch (served Sundays only in BLT Steakhouse at Bally's); and the Hard Rock, where no less than three restaurants offer gluten-free dishes, from Mr Lucky's 24/7 coffee shop, to the casual Pink Taco, to the high-end Japanese Nobu.
For other ideas, which span everything from Chinese, to Italian, to French, to seafood, to Mexican, to steakhouses, and more, see our gluten-free restaurant listings and if you know of a good option that we missed, please drop us a line and we'll add it.
Bon appétit!
