How to eat out with food allergies
So you have food allergies
If you’re reading this, I am assuming that you or a loved one has food allergies. Food induced allergic reactions can range from mild to severe and manifest in a variety of ways: hives, general inflammation, stomach issues, anaphylaxis, etc. No matter what reaction you have, a food induced reaction is serious and should be taken as such. I, personally, have a laundry list of food allergies, which I discovered through allergy testing, elimination diets, and pure cause and effect. That said, I know how difficult it can be to find food to eat at home, let alone out at a restaurant. Rest assured, there is always a way for you to enjoy a meal out even if you have allergies —it just takes a bit foresight, research, and willpower. Over time, I was able to find ways to eat out without worry while avoiding my allergens.
how to decide where to eaT
We all deserve to enjoy the food that we eat. That’s why it’s essential for you to be a part of the decision-making process when it comes to choosing a restaurant. If you can’t scope out a menu online or verify if the restaurant can accommodate you before showing up, then you are not going to be able to enjoy yourself with worry or a possible reaction. That said, get involved in the restaurant decision-making process. Your top priories for choosing a restaurant should be to 1. ensure they can accommodate your allergies, 2. find out if they offer food you like, and 3.validate the restaurant though word of mouth or an online resource.
Find out if a restaurant can accommodate your allergies by searching through reviews. Some of my favorite resources are the Spokin app, Find Me Gluten Free, Google Reviews, and Yelp. If you see that other people with your same allergies are recommending the place, take it as a good sign and proceed to step 2.
Now that you have a contender in play, I recommend pulling up an online menu of the restaurant. If you can’t find an updated version online, call the restaurant and ask where you to find one. Scan the menu for allergy markers, items that look modifiable, and of course things that look appetizing to you. If you don’t think you’ll be able to order anything you actually want to eat, then take it as a sign to move on to continue your search.
You found a place that looks accommodating to your allergies, and you identified menu items that you would want to order. The last step is to validate that the restaurant is currently offering the items you want and/or can modify existing items to meet your dietary restrictions. If the restaurant seems iffy and can’t give you confident answers then you might want to move on to other options as well depending on how severe your allergies are. If you feel good about the restaurant and their offerings at this point, then enjoy yourself!
Is it worth the time?
This is a somewhat timely process and may seem unnecessary to some, but it is well worth it for your health and happiness. Plus, once you find places that are allergy accommodating AND have delicious food, you can add them to your personal repertoire and offer them up as suggestions for future dining-out plans. I personally have a running list of safe spots that are local to me, so I never have to duplicate this process.
Happy eating!
Disclaimer: Please note that I am not offering medical advice. I am suggesting a method to finding allergy-safe restaurants to dine at.
