By Jane Dostine
Having a food allergy can make eating out seem impossible – but it doesn't have to be! Nutritionist Jane Dostine has easy tips which will help minimize your risk.
For most people, eating out is a treat. But if you suffer from an allergy, or coeliac disease, the risks associated with eating commercially-prepared food – not to mention the hassles that come with having to plan ahead – can sometimes outweigh the benefits of a night out.
Unfortunately, there is no way to guarantee that food prepared by someone else will be free from allergens. But, with a few easy steps, you can enjoy a night away from your kitchen. Just make sure you take your medication with you and let your family and friends know where you keep it.
Step 1: First things first
Allergic reactions can be serious – even fatal. So, before you make a restaurant reservation, it’s essential that you have an Action Plan in place (provided by your allergy specialist). An Action Plan is an easy-to-understand set of instructions for your friends and family to follow in case you have an allergic reaction (to find Action Plan templates, go to www.allergy.org.au/content/view/10/3/).
If you are in doubt, you may wish to take ‘safe’ food with you to the restaurant. If you plan to do this, ask the restaurant management beforehand – even if it’s just a café – if this is okay. Eateries will almost always say yes – it is not asking permission that’s rude and could get their backs up.
If you have a child with allergies, take the same steps as for adults.
Step 2: Choose the right cuisine
Allergens can be found anywhere but choosing a restaurant that serves ‘lower-risk’ cuisine can make eating out easier.
- Peanut or tree nut allergy: Steakhouses may be your best bet but they still serve high-risk foods such as marinades, sauces, gravies, pastries and desserts, so be mindful of this when you order. Avoid Asian, Indian and African cuisines, and vegetarian dishes, as they are all likely to use nuts in their cooking.
- Fish or shellfish allergy: Even the cooking of seafood can spray protein into the air which can trigger a reaction, so avoid seafood restaurants and Asian cuisines. Vegetarian, and reputable restaurants with seafood-free options are better choices.
- Sesame allergy: Your best bet is European-style cuisines (French, German, Italian etc) as these traditionally don’t use sesame products. But always check salads, breads and oils. Avoid Lebanese and Middle Eastern-style cuisine.
- Dairy allergy: Asian-style cooking is probably lowest-risk. Avoid European-style cuisines (French, German, Italian etc) as these regularly feature cheese and dairy.
- Egg allergy: Eggs are found in almost everything but vegan restaurants will be egg-free. ‘Modern’ café-style meals such as grilled seafood and meat and three veg are generally safe when served in reputable restaurants – but steer clear of creamy sauces and breading or crumbing.
- Soy allergy: As per egg allergies, café-style meals may be a better choice. Asian cuisines generally need to be avoided as well as many vegetarian meals which use soy beans and tofu. Stay away from bread (most contain soy flour), avoid re-formed seafood and skip Asian sauces.
- No matter what kind of allergy you have, it is best to avoid buffets: The risk of contamination is very high as serving utensils can be shared and foods can be accidently mixed.
Selecting the right restaurant can be half the battle. A few simple tricks can go a long way!
- Google restaurants. Customer reviews can give you an indication of how attentive the wait-staff are – which may mean the difference between a safe meal and a contaminated one. Good service also goes hand-in-hand with staff who know the menu in detail, making ordering easier.
- If a restaurant won’t accept bookings, they may have a high customer turnover – which can lower your chances of receiving attentive service. Select a restaurant where you can book ahead, and hopefully, this will increase your chances of having an allergen-free meal.
- It’s also a good idea to book a reservation outside of the lunch or dinner rush.
- Cost can count. More expensive restaurants tend to have better informed (and more accommodating) wait-staff and chefs. This doesn’t mean you should only choose fine dining restaurants – but as with most things in life, you get what you pay for. It is worth paying a few extra dollars to safeguard your health.
- Check out a restaurant’s website. The most suitable eateries will have a good reputation and having a website can be an indication of how well-established a restaurant is.
- If a restaurant doesn’t have a current menu posted on their site, call and ask for a copy. This will reveal if they have any allergy-friendly options and, if not, how easy it will be to order an allergen-free meal. Most large restaurant chains have complete nutrition information available, too.
Once you’ve selected a restaurant, it’s a good idea to phone ahead to explain your needs. But keep in mind that you will probably need to explain them again to the person serving you.
Don’t just request that your dish be prepared free of your allergen – explain your reason for allergen avoidance and stress the seriousness of a potential allergic reaction. Wearing a Medic Alert bracelet will help emphasise your point!
Step 5: Peruse the menu
- Take plenty of time to read through the menu. Don’t be afraid to ask for help with complicated or foreign cooking terms.
- Before you order, find out which dishes can be made ‘free from’, so you know your options.
- Ask your waiter (or the chef) to describe how the meal is prepared – just in case. A meal may be free of nuts, for example, but it’s possible that it’s made using peanut oil.
- Don’t assume a ‘safe’ dish in one restaurant is the same in another – always check the preparation method.
- Become familiar with alternative names and ingredients of your allergens, such as arachis (peanut), edamame (soy), and bulgar (wheat).
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