Dining Out with Food Allergies

Although cases of food allergy continue to increase and although awareness for food allergy seems to be increasing as well, eating at restaurants with a food allergy is still a bit like playing russian roullette. An article in today's Fort Worth's Star Telegram claims, "three-quarters of the deaths from food allergies are caused by prepared foods eaten at restaurants." Yikes!

But the article also provides strategies on dining out for those with food allergies and sensitivities:

Make your allergies or intolerances clearly known to the restaurant manager, before your visit, if possible. The Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network has a downloadable chef card that can be customized and handed to the waiter to give to the chef.

Don't dine out at the busiest times. You want the staff's full attention when asking how the food is prepared.

"Eat naked," says Peter Green of Columbia's Celiac Disease Center. Get your meat with nothing on it. Avoid sauces, soups, creams and dressings, which can contain hidden ingredients.

Avoid buffets. People take a spoon from one food and put it in another, or a nut from one dish can fall into another.

Frequent restaurants where the staff knows your requirements, as well as places that list the ingredients used. Most fast-food chains, including McDonald's and Burger King, provide such lists on request.

Chicagoans with food allergies can take heart that Bistro 110 is now food allergy friendly. Bistro 110's award-winning Executive Chef, Dominique Tougne has a three-year old son with a peanut allergy. Bistro 110's chefs, wait staff and managers trained with representatives from the Chicago Children's Memorial Hospital to learn about food allergies, and are now required to ask every diner if they have a food allergy, so the restaurant can prepare a special meal with the finest attention and care. Tougne is also working with the Food Allergy Institute to establish a local chapter in Chicago.

If any of our visitors have recommendations about food allergy friendly restaurants in their cities, please send us a message or post a comment.