Food Allergies and Eating Out: What to Look Out For

Overview

Nothing beats the feeling of dining out with friends and family, whether you are celebrating a special occasion or simply eating out for fun. Trying out new and exciting dishes can bring excitement, especially when anticipating the unique flavors you haven’t tried before. From French cuisine to exotic Asian recipes, you know you can’t go wrong. On the contrary, your eating pleasure could become a disaster if you have food allergies. 

Allergic reactions from food allergies range from mild to severe. Some people have more robust tolerance against them, while others do not. Whichever the case, it could quickly spoil your fun and leisure. We’ll provide you with essential information to keep food allergies at bay when eating in and out. 

What is a food allergy?

Food allergy occurs when your immune system negatively reacts after consuming specific types of food. It attacks normal proteins as if they are germs, bacteria, or viruses. Therefore, it signals a false alarm that causes adverse health reactions. 

What to Look Out For (Food allergy tips)

Planning could help you make the most out of your eating pleasure when dining out. Remember that accidental consumption of food that you have allergies to can ruin the entire experience. So, here’s a compilation of the tips that we’ve prepared for you. 

Choose a restaurant wisely. (Food allergies and restaurants)

Different types of restaurants specialize in various kinds of food. The key is to avoid restaurants where the predominant food is the ones you have allergies. For example, if you have peanut or tree nut allergies, avoid Asian cuisines because they include peanuts in their dishes and their sauces. Allergies to nuts could lead to anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction that is potentially life-threatening. You can also research allergy-safe restaurants online.  

Bring your medications.

Accidental consumption of food allergies could still happen despite being cautious. Therefore always be prepared and carry your anti-allergy medication in case of emergencies. Drugs like antihistamines or decongestants are available over-the-counter. Bring at least one or two tablets when eating out. 

Talk to the manager.

Restaurant managers tend to get busy during specific times of the day. It may be challenging to talk with them, especially when orders rush in. On the other hand, you can request to speak to them about your allergies. Managers are aware of the complications of what an allergic reaction can do to their customers and business. They usually comply with customers’ requests about food allergies.  

Avoid crowded restaurants.

Choose a restaurant during low peak hours to make sure that you can talk to the manager about your food allergies. What’s more, you can minimize food contamination. For example, indirect exposure to peanuts could still trigger an allergic reaction. If there are few customers, food contamination is less likely to happen. 

Do not eat at buffets.

Foods close to each other have a high risk of cross-contact contamination. In addition, these foods are all in the same container, increasing the dangers of indirect exposure. For example, you may choose a cupcake without peanuts. However, if it’s sitting next to a peanut-flavored cupcake, it is still exposed to allergens. 

Be mindful of what to look out for when dining out to reduce the risks of triggering allergic reactions. Most of the tips we provided are pretty easy to understand and follow. The key is being prepared at all times. In addition, you should keep open communication with the restaurant staff to let them know of your specific needs.  

Additional food allergies and food safety tips

Keep your orders simple. If you are not sure about the ingredients of a specific dish, it’s better not to order it. Order only the foods you are sure to be safe with your allergies. 

Do not order fried food. Fryers are exposed to various foods when used throughout the day, increasing the risk of triggering an allergic reaction when eating fried food. Order them only if they are prepared separately. 

Eat dessert at home. Some desserts are not prepared in the restaurant’s kitchen. They typically come from specialty stores, leaving restaurant staff with little knowledge of the ingredients. Unless you know the dessert ingredients, you should treat yourself to dessert at home to be safe.  

Common Food Allergies (Foods not to eat with food allergies)

Here’s a list of the foods that usually trigger an allergic reaction. 

• Milk
• Soy
• Peanuts
• Eggs
• Tree nuts
• Fish
• Shellfish
• Wheat
• Sesame
• Wine allergies

If you are unsure what foods could cause allergies, talk to your allergist and ask for an allergy test. Medical professionals are always your best bet in identifying food allergies.

Enjoy Eating Out Without Food Allergies

Enjoy your dining out experience without the risks of triggering allergic reactions. Brazos Valley Allergy and Asthma Clinics could make that happen. Our allergists offer the most reliable allergy testing to help you identify food allergies. We aim to minimize the risks of allergic reactions from accidental allergen consumption. We will help you learn what to eat when allergic to everything and the best foods to eat with allergies. Our services include immunotherapy, which boosts your immune system naturally, perfect for food allergy management. Be one of the satisfied patients who enjoy the benefits of our health services. 

Visit our website at https://www.bvallergy.com/ to talk to our allergists for your preferred appointment schedule. You can also log on to this link to choose one of our clinic locations. Or, speak to us by dialing our trunkline at 979-485- 9287. We’d love to hear from you soon!