Enjoy Your Lunch, Worry-Free

Successfully eating out is a challenge for many, but if you are careful you can enjoy it, say Dr. Backman and Dr. Veksler of Allergy & Asthma Care of Fairfield County and the Food Allergy Center of Connecticut. The Food Allergy Initiative has the following suggestions. Click for the full story.

Ask to be seated far from the kitchen. This will help you to avoid airborne allergens from cooking and preparing food. The hostess, manager, and wait staff should be clear about your food allergy. Ask that your food allergy card be shown to the chef.  Never be embarrassed if you feel you’re not communicating effectively. Ask what is in your dish and how it’s prepared. Make sure your server understands what you are allergic to, and explain that cross-contamination must be avoided. If you have to ask lots of complicated questions about the menu, ordering more simple fare—like a baked potato or steamed vegetables—may be the safest. Avoid fried foods. Both the grill and the frying oil are ripe for cross-contamination. Save dessert for home. Desserts are major sources of hidden allergens, and the restaurant staff may not be able to provide a complete list of ingredients.