Dealing with food allergies is awful. You feel like you have no control over your life. You don’t ever get to enjoy eating because every bite you take is full of fear that your food might contain some sort of contaminant or allergen. Since food allergies can be quite deadly, many people with this problem avoid eating out altogether. This doesn’t have to be the case, however. With just a bit of care you can dine safely with food allergies in Atlanta or anywhere throughout the nation. Here are some tips for handling allergies and eating out.
Take some time to plan ahead. Do your homework about the restaurants where you might be eating. Many restaurants have their entire menu available on their website these days. Take some time to peruse it beforehand, scoping out all the meals and ingredients for red flags. Remember that any appearance of an allergen can indicate potential cross-contamination.
Most restaurants make food to order these days, but many of the components and ingredients are prepared in advance for easy assembly. It never hurts to call the restaurant for information about pre-packaged sauces and marinades or information about what exactly goes into their foods. Restaurants tend to be very accommodating about providing this information to those with food allergies or sensitivity.
The moment you walk into the restaurant, tell the host that you have sensitivity to foods. When you sit down, tell the waiter you have food issues. Tell the manager if need be. While nobody wants to make a pain of themselves, the more open you are about your allergies, the less likely you will be to encounter a problem and the more the establishment will be able to effectively accommodate your needs.
Carrying a card with you that lists your specific food sensitivities and concerns is a valuable tool that you can give to the chef and restaurant staff. They can then have a comprehensive list of what to avoid right there in front of them.
Going to a restaurant during peak hours when you have an allergy is a recipe for disaster. The establishment will be rushed as it is extremely busy and oversights and mistakes are far more likely as a result. If you go before or after those busy hours, they will be far more likely to aid you by preparing food that meets your needs and concerns. Dine before 6 or after 9 in the evening.
Avoid complicated meals. Dishes with lots of ingredients like soup and stew or complex sauces may be delicious, but they also potentially have a lot of dangers for those with sensitivity to foods. Keep your order simple when eating out.
Of course, you should always seek treatment for food allergies from a qualified Allergist at Atlanta ENT. Your doctor can help lessen the severity of your allergies and can make sure you always have an epi-pen with you in case you do experience a reaction. If you suffer from food allergies in Atlanta, take some time to read a bit more, and give us a call for an appointment today.
