Dining Out with Food Allergies: Top Tips to Keep in Mind

Read Time: 2 minutes, 28 seconds

Dining out with a food allergy can be stressful and daunting, especially for new allergy families.

It can seem like controlling the situation, and every bite of food from start to finish feels like the only surefire way to keep your little one safe. But the reality is you can't always be in control. So you must learn to do what you can and trust, even just a little.

If that sounds scary, there's good news ahead!

There are many things you can do to ensure a safe and enjoyable dining experience for everyone, including you!

Here are some helpful tips:

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1. Check for an Allergy Menu

An allergy menu makes it easier to determine how many dishes are safe and gives you a better sense of any hidden ingredients.

It also allows you to assess the potential for cross-contamination (for example, if there are multiple dishes with crushed peanuts as a garnish, if peanuts are your little ones' allergen, you may want to steer clear of it because small particles can travel around the kitchen in the frenzy of feeding hundreds of people a night).

These menus are slowly becoming more standard, so you can usually find them on restaurant websites in advance. If you're unsure whether a restaurant has an allergy menu, don't hesitate to ask.

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2. Bring Snacks

Being prepared is always a win in case you need a backup plan. Pack some safe (and, fun) snacks for your little one to munch on in case other options aren't available.

Remember, they'll probably be bummed if they can't eat at the restaurant so take care to pack something extra special that will help them cope with their disappointment.

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3. Call Ahead

A great way to gauge how accommodating a restaurant will be is to talk with them before stepping outside your house. If they're reluctant or dismissive over the phone, save yourself the inevitable headache of dining there.

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4. Speak to the Chef Directly

The more people your message goes through, the more opportunity for error.

So when you can, speak directly to the chef. They'll be able to provide you with the most accurate information about the ingredients used in the dishes and any potential cross-contamination risks.

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5. Communicate With the Staff

Talk directly to the staff serving you to confirm you need food allergen awareness at the table. Ask as many questions as you need to feel comfortable.

A great opener is, "Hi! Just so you know, we have a (insert the name of the food allergy here) at the table, so please don't bring any dishes that contain (food allergen)."

Often, allergy-aware restaurant staff asks follow-up questions, such as how severe the allergen is, and offers helpful suggestions about which menu items to avoid ordering.

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6. Trust Your Gut

You know best! So trust your instincts even if everything you're hearing seems okay. When you have an uneasy feeling or are unsure, that's enough to go on. You don't need another reason or other people to agree with you.

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7. Walk Away

Leave if you feel unsafe because the allergy isn't being taken seriously or the food seems suspect. It's okay to pay your bill (if there is one) and change your mind.

You don't ever need to stay in a situation where you feel unsafe.

Sometimes, the most challenging part of dining out with an allergy is taking action when your order just doesn't feel right. 😥

But remember, you're capable of helping your allergy warrior be safe in every situation. You've got this!

Remember, no one is trying to hurt an allergy warrior on purpose.

Most allergy blunders are accidents or happen because of misinformation, not a lack of care for safety or life. Even though food allergen mistakes can be stressful and horrible, it's also okay for restaurants to make mistakes.

So, know it's okay to speak up or walk away, to do what you feel most comfortable with. You don't have to fight every battle to be a mighty allergy warrior. In every situation, what feels safe to YOU is what goes.

Allergies can make you feel helpless, but when it comes to what passes the safety check when dining out, You're In Charge!

In closing, dining out with a food allergy doesn't have to be a thing of the past, pre-food allergen days. With some planning and trust, you can enjoy dining out with your allergy warrior again.

Happy dining!