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Food Sensitive Dining
For the 12 million Americans with food allergies, eating out can range from difficult to deadly. As with airborne allergies, food hypersensitivities are rising quickly in children. When our daughters developed food-related allergies, noshing at our favorite places didn't seem possible, and I was sure we were stuck in our house for years. Now after years of sleuthing, we've found that dining can be a stress-free and delicious experience.
For those parents lucky enough not to know, the most common allergy culprits are cow's milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat and soy. Reactions can range from the relatively minor sneezing, itchy eyes, and nasal congestion to anaphylaxis (which can lead to blocked airways, cardiovascular collapse, and even death).
The bigger the restaurant chain, the more likely they've dealt with food allergies in the past. Some large-scale choices include Applebee's, Macaroni Grill, Olive Garden and Ruby Tuesday. Recently, Outback Steakhouse and Carrabba's Italian Grill began offering gluten-free menus to entice this growing number of potential diners (which sits at about 2 million). But large chains aren't the only establishments shedding ingredients to draw in new patrons: Many places offer vegetarian, gluten-free or vegan menu items. Across the nation, everything from the doughnut to pumpkin pudding is being updated and reinvented as more restaurateurs and families become allergen-savvy.
Here are some more tips to help you eat out safely:
Research options online. Many restaurants list their menus on their web sites with special diet dishes clearly labeled (i.e., gluten free)
Tell your server immediately. Part of a server's job is to be the liaison between the diner and the kitchen. If you're more comfortable, get “Allernotes,” which are preprinted sticky notes that list your food allergy ($8.50 for 100). A server can include the note on your order. Another option is a business-card-style allergy card, which are available free online.
For serious cases, tell the manager about your special needs (you may even wish to call ahead). Because your dining experience is a top priority, many managers will personally check on your order before it is brought out, which offers an extra quality-control step.
Get out there and enjoy!
By Anna Philpot
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