Dining Out With Food Allergies:
Restaurant Safety

Dining out with food allergies can be a new challenge to the newly diagnosed. Many people, once they are diagnosed with a food allergy, see their days ahead as a choice of two options. You can either educate yourself to find ways to conform to a new diet plan to get healthy again or stay to the current diet plan and feel miserable the rest of your life. Obviously the first choice does leave you with greater options.

After the diagnosis, the hardest part does come within the first few weeks as you try to learn about your condition. With time and practice, you will pick up small details and tips that will help you to change your diet for the better. One of the biggest obstacles though in this learning process is dining out with food allergies.

How Should I Start To Learn What I Need To Know

This list may sound so simple but it is one of the hardest things you will have to do in your life. Read everything you can find on your subject. Ask questions to your doctor, the nurse, the allergist, your local allergy clinic or any other source of knowledgeable information. Do not try to rely on your memory for everything. Take notes, collect brochures or fliers, attend meetings or join support groups.

Your next challenge will be learning how to communicate your condition to others when the need arises. Therefore, when you are in a situation where you must be dining out with food allergies, the following techniques can be used to help you remain safe.

1. Let your allergist or doctor know your basic lifestyle so they can help you design a safe eating plan. A traveling salesman, for example, will almost always be eating at a restaurant the greatest percentage of time. Tell your allergist or doctor. They can give you tips to ask before eating at an unfamiliar place.

2. Do not go into a restaurant, sit down, order and then explain you can not eat this when it is served. Tell the wait staff, manager, concierge etc. up front that you are dining out with food allergies. If you are not already doing this, use the chef card. If possible, call the restaurant ahead of time and ask if they have the capabilities of handling your situation. Work with them fairly and they will work with you. No restaurant owner wants an ambulance sitting at their front door.

   

3. After explaining your situation to the wait staff, if you are not comfortable with the answers, request to speak with the manager, chef or the person who will be preparing your meal. Make sure they understand the hidden ingredients you must watch out for and where these ingredients can normally be found.

4. Be sure the kitchen staff understands the principal of cross contamination between utensils, counter tops, and hands.

5. Use courtesy wisely when eating out. Realize your situation is going to take extra time and attention from everyone in the restaurant. Do not show up during their busiest hour of the day. Try to visit during off-peak hours so more time can be given to your requirements.

6. The #1 most dangerous zone in a restaurant is the buffet or salad bar. Cross contamination is impossible to prevent so don't risk using it.

7. Come prepared for the worst but expect the best. If you have been told by your doctor to carry an Epi-pen at all times - have it with you. Even in the best of circumstances, unintentional accidents can happen. Hidden ingredients and their names is even harder for a restaurant to decipher than it is for you. You live with it everyday- you get practice de-coding an ingredient label- they don't.

8. Finally, it is better to be safe than sorry. If you do not like the answers you are hearing or are at all uncomfortable with what you see or hear, do not try having a meal there- try another restaurant. Not every restaurant is equipped to handle the food allergic individual.

Try to pick one or two places you like, frequent them continuously so the owner and staff can get to know you and your limitations. Eventually you will find dining out with food allergies can be fun and safe again.

Return to "Food Allergy Safety" from "Dining Out With Food Allergies".