Dining Out with Food Allergy

You will need to ask specific questions about ingredients and how the dish is prepared. Eating at restaurants does pose risks, but getting out of your own kitchen every once in a while is also important to your health.

Choosing a restaurant

The best way to pick a restaurant is to go by recommendation. Ask other people with food allergies where they like to dine out.

Another way to narrow your choices is to avoid those restaurants that are most likely to cause problems for you. In general, avoid:

· 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.

· Bakeries. Baked goods are often kept next to each other in large display cases. In such an enclosed environment, allergens from one food can spread to another. Also, tongs and utensils are often reused.

· Restaurants that don't cook from scratch. Some restaurants don't make your meal from scratch. They instead serve you an already-made meal that they heat up. It's sometimes impossible to special-order meals at these restaurants. If you're not sure if a restaurant cooks from scratch, call ahead and ask.

· Obvious dangers. 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, since nuts are commonly used in Asian recipes.

Use your best judgment when selecting a restaurant. Never let temptation overrule your instincts.

Choosing an entree

Once you've decided on a restaurant, be 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:

· 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.

· 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.

· 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.

· 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 not at all.

Chances are slim that your server understands the seriousness of your food allergy. Speak up and help your server understand the importance of your questions and requests.

Use a chef card

Despite your explaining the significance of your food allergy to your server, all the pertinent information you provided might not get relayed to the chef. One way to ensure that the chef understands how to avoid accidentally working your allergen into your meal is to use a chef card.

A chef card is a personalized card that instructs the chef and other restaurant personnel on simple ways to make sure your food doesn't contain your allergen. It lists your allergen and related ingredients, as well as ways to avoid cross contamination from utensils, surfaces and other dishes in the kitchen.

Follow your instincts

Don't be afraid to get up and leave if you think the restaurant staff isn't taking your request seriously. Leave if you have doubts about the food preparation. Even if you're sure your food is safe, accidents can happen. Keep emergency epinephrine on hand and wear a medical alert bracelet.

Pie in the Sky - Stowe

Roque’s - (gluten free menu) - Burlington

The Shed - Stowe

Sirloin Saloon - Shelburne

Sunset Grill - Stowe

TGIFridays - So. Burlington

Whip Bar & Grill - Stowe

99 Restaurant - Williston

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