Living with Food Allergies: Eating Out
It took me a lot longer to write this than I was originally anticipating. In May, I shared with you what it’s like to eat at home with food allergies. Today, I am sharing our tips for eating out with food allergies.
Actually, it gives me great anxiety to dine out with Remy and Riley. Even if we are going to a restaurant we have been to a million times, I get nervous.
1. Check the menu ahead of time
I ALWAYS look up the restaurant, and I scope out the menu items.
We are an egg-allergy family, so I am particularly interested in meals that would be easy to avoid egg. Sometimes the restaurants have their allergen menus online. That is a WONDERFUL tool. But even if it’s online, I look at the menu for possible cross-contamination issues. Like at Outback, Riley can’t eat the fries because they are fried in the same fryer as the Bloomin’ Onion, which contains egg.
Most places seem to be able to accommodate grilled chicken or steak. And Riley loves both. If the fries are unsafe, he usually opts for a baked potato.
2. Talk to the server, the manager, the chef
Literally tell ALL the people that there is a food allergy at the table. Tell them you have an EpiPen, this seems to increase the seriousness. Explain that the allergen will literally kill your child
We tell our servers right away. After a while, you can sense whether the server really “gets it” or thinks you’re being a Karen. If I get a bad vibe, we either leave or don’t order anything for our boys. I usually carry snacks around with me and definitely if we are going to try a new place. Most restaurants don’t mind the allergy kids eating outside food.
It is necessary to talk to the servers, GM and/or chef EVERY time. Even if it’s a place you frequent, and you’re pretty comfortable with the food, you still need to make the staff aware. Recipes or prep stations may have changed since your last visit, new and dangerous items might be on the menu now. It is crucial to speak up every single time.
3. Have the server check EVERYTHING your child wants to eat
Allergens sometimes lurk in unexpected places. I had no idea, until I almost killed him one night, that some ice creams are made with egg. The story goes like this: Stu was out of town, I thought I’d be the “fun mom” and do ice cream for dinner. I didn’t realize that Culver’s Ice Cream is really custard – made with EGGS! Riley took one big bite and said “This ice cream tastes strange. My tongue feels weird.” After discussing things with Riley’s doctor, I rushed him to the ER. On the way there, he threw up. It all worked out ok.
4. Do NOT be afraid to leave
For real. Dinner is not worth an ambulance ride, a potential anaphylactic reaction, and possibly death. If you have a bad feeling, leave.
With our boys, we stick to the familiar. We are frequent diners at Chick Fil A (grilled nuggets), Chili’s (steak fajitas and queso), Outback Steakhouse (steak with baked potato), and a local pizza joint. Riley has ventured out and added pulled pork to his repertoire, so that’s awesome.
After the first bite, Riley will give me a thumbs up if he’s good. Thumbs up if the food is ok. This simple gesture means the world to me.
To the new allergy mama,
If you are new to the allergy life, welcome. It takes a village to raise a child, and the food allergy village is full of amazing parents. Reach out on Facebook or Instagram and connect with someone who is experiencing this too.
I know all of this sounds so daunting. And quite frankly, sometimes it feels that way. But it gets easier to maneuver around the obstacles.
For more Food Allergy information, check out the Food Allergy Research and Education website (FARE). This is the BEST place for information.
Thanks for reading! Share it if you love it or know someone who would benefit from this.
