Bringing the fun back into eating out for a person with food allergies is possible. He can regain confidence for social eating with the senses of smell, sight, hearing, tasting, and by self-advocating. This takes awareness, consistence, and practice by the allergic person and those who love him.
Ordering from a Menu with a Food Allergy
The allergic person must shake off any shyness and speak-up! For instance, if he is allergic to garlic, an Italian restaurant is unlikely to have anything on the menu he can safely eat. Making oneself sick or risking death for the sake of others’ pizza craving just doesn’t make sense. Suggest a kind of food that is less likely to contain garlic in all the dishes served. The food allergic person must be his own best friend. He’ll be able to enjoy eating out just like everyone else, and not be so likely to be sick later.
Most restaurants are more than happy to substitute food items in regard to food allergies. The allergic person should never assume the food he is allergic to is not in the dish, just because it is not listed in the ingredients. Always ask for a complete ingredient list before ordering anything. Again using a garlic allergy as example, he should clearly state the medical issue to the server, asking for assistance in confirming with the cook staff which dishes do not contain any garlic.
Choosing simpler items on the menu with fewer spices and sauces increase the odds of a pleasant, healthy outcome for the food allergic person eating out. The more prepared the allergic person is, the more relaxed and fun the restaurant experience can be.
Eating Smartly with a Food Allergy in a Restaurant
A person with food allergies should never just tear into his food. Like a connoisseur tests fine wine, an allergic person should take his time, checking for anything that might cause allergic reaction and remove it from the dish if possible:
- Look at the food
- Smell the food
- Take small bites
What if an Allergic Reaction Happens Anyway?
At any time during or after the food is present, if the allergic person senses any itching of the eyes, nose, mouth or skin, or a feeling comes over the person that something just is not right, it probably is not. Simply stop eating that food and rinse out the mouth.
Additionally, the allergic person should already be prepeared for an allergy emergency by carrying an allergy rescue kit of antihistamines and possibly other medicines, as directed by a physician. A severe reaction with breathing difficulty, vomiting, or unconsciousness requires an immediate 911 call.
The human body does give distinct warning signals when something is wrong. Self-awareness and self-control in eating can be a life-saving tool. It is important to remember that the first bite always tastes the same as the last, no matter how much one consumes.
 |
