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Food allergies can be
one of the most challenging allergies to deal with. Most people are
going to dine out and dining out with food allergies can prove to
be frustrating and misleading. You might be uncomfortable making special
requests at restaurants, especially if wait staff are overextended.
Do not feel that you are in a minority of people and try to be comfortable
asking about specific dishes. The last thing that you or the restaurant
wants is an allergic reaction to something in the food.
When you are dining out some of the most typical scenarios that trigger
a reaction are when, meals are cooked with shared pans and utensils,
the restaurant makes a mistake, or the wait staff or chef is not educated
about food allergies or hidden ingredients in food, such as those
found in dressings and sauces. Good advice is to plan ahead and learn
to feel comfortable speaking up about your food allergy to reduce
your chances of having a problem.
When choosing a restaurant, your best bet is to ask other people who
have food allergies to recommend a good restaurant. Your allergist
or dietitian might also have suggestions. You can also call ahead
to restaurants to ask whether they can accommodate special requests.
Avoid restaurants that are most likely to cause problems
for you such as:
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Buffets
Foods in the buffet line are kept very close to each other.
Oftentimes the serving utensils for one dish are used for another.
Your allergens can easily spread from one dish to another.
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Bakeries
Baked goods are often kept next to each other in large display
cases. In such an enclosed environment, allergens can spread
from one food to another. Also, tongs and utensils are often
reused.
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Restaurants that don't cook from
scratch
Some restaurants don't make your meal from scratch. They assemble
meals from pre-made entrees. It may not be an option to special-order
meals at these restaurants. If you're not sure if a restaurant
cooks from scratch, call ahead and ask.
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Restaurants that pose obvious risks
Depending on your allergy, you can automatically cross some
restaurants off your list. If you're allergic to shellfish,
avoid seafood restaurants. The chances for cross-contamination
are increased in these restaurants. If you're allergic to peanuts
or tree nuts, avoid Asian restaurants nuts are commonly used
in Asian recipes. |
Use good judgment when selecting a restaurant. Don't
let temptation overrule your instincts.
Once you've decided on a restaurant, be equally as selective when
choosing your entree. The key to a safe, allergy-free meal is to speak
up early about your food allergy. You'll also want to:
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Ask for advice
Let your server know right away about your food allergy by asking
him or her for advice on what items on the menu are free of
your allergen. If your server doesn't sound sure, ask to speak
to a manager or chef. If planning allows, you can let the restaurant
know about your food allergy before you arrive.
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Ask questions
Don't be afraid to ask as many questions as you need to. Ask
how the food is prepared. Ask about individual ingredients.
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Order simple dishes
If you order a plain baked potato or steamed broccoli, you'll
know what you're getting. Foods made of several ingredients
present more of a mystery. Leave the gamble out of your meal
by knowing exactly what you're getting.
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Get your sauce on the side
Condiments provide excellent hiding places for allergens. You
might not expect your gravy to contain peanuts or your Worcestershire
sauce to contain fish. Avoid surprises by asking for your sauces
and dressings on the side or pass on them altogether. |
Some servers may not fully understand the seriousness of your food
allergy. Speak up until you are confident that the food you ordered
is safe from allergens.
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Prepare and Carry
a Chef Card
Despite careful planning, not all the pertinent information
you provide may be accurately relayed to the chef. One way to ensure
that the chef is made aware of your food allergy is to prepare a chef
card.
You can find a printable chef card here:
ChefCard_Interactive.pdf
A chef card is a personalized card on which you can communicate your
allergy and request specific cooking methods or ingredients. It lists
your allergen and related ingredients, as well as ways to avoid cross-contamination
from utensils, surfaces and other dishes in the kitchen.
Keep in mind that using chef cards doesn't take the place of asking
questions or careful planning when you're ordering at a restaurant.
Chef cards can't guarantee an allergen-free dining experience, but
they can help make your meal safer.
Use the following sample chef card as a guide. Make copies, fill in
the blanks, and keep the chef cards in your wallet or purse. You can
personalize your chef cards by using bright colored paper, designing
your own cards or laminating the chef cards. When you go to a restaurant,
give a chef card to your server and ask him or her to share it with
the chef.
Trust your Gut!
Don't be afraid to leave the restaurant if you think your requests
can't be met. Leave if you have doubts about the food preparation.
Even if you're sure your food is safe, accidents can happen so be
prepared. Keep emergency epinephrine on hand and consider wearing
a medical alert bracelet.
Food allergies don't have to be an eternal sentence of home-cooked
meals. Plan ahead to make your dining-out experience one you'll enjoy.
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