If you’re going out to eat, always is cautious, call up the place in advance to know if they are willing to accommodate or customize your menu for you. If not, don’t worry, take your own food and just explain to the waiter to serve it when the rest of the people are being served. They’ll even make it look pretty for you :-).

You can also ask many of the restaurants for a ingredients list, most are pretty good with giving their list, there are the odd few that may refuse, or may not have it on hand, but you can always look on-line as well.

Link here for a list of Tips by Food Type.
Click here for a downloadable version.

Some Tips:

• Carry a your bi-products list with you at the grocery store -
• Making your own lunch – not eating out
• Bringing your own food to parties and gatherings.

• Offer to bring a dish to the party, so that all you can enjoy eating with everyone else.
• At a restaurant, order something simple i.e. salad, carry a small container of dressing in your purse/ bag.
• Always tell your guests in advance that you have these allergies so that they can prepare their homes accordingly, and about the effects of food allergies on others => close physical contact, pregnancy (during and after wards – hereditary part).
• Attending banquets or large parties – bring your own food, and ask the waiters to serve it at the same time as everyone else in their own china.
• Try one food at a time, some times experimentation is the only way. If you find that a particular food contains bi-products that may or may not be the one that you’re allergic to, then sometimes trial and error is the only thing that you can do.
• Start slowly a little at a time, as you don’t want to have your body enter into a “reject mode” state.

More Dining Out Tips:

Okay going for food is a great idea, just remember to be careful. The first thing you want to do is search for an allergy free restaurant, unfortunately, there is no specifically allergy free restaurant  in the Greater Toronto area, but there might be one in your area, so find out. However, there are places that offer specific allergy free meals. For example Montana’s offers a gluten free pasta if requested.

Calling the Restaurant in Advance:
You can also call the restaurant in advance to work with the chef for a customized meal that you can eat. I did this when I went to meet some friends at milestones, but remember this is only if you know when you’re meeting, give the chef a heads up at least 3 or 4 days in advance, so he or she can order the food items that may not be usually in stock.  Kelsey’s has also been quite cooperative in the past.

Other restaurants that I’ve been to, there are endless ones that I went to during the first year, before my smell allergy reactions really kicked in. Just tell the restaurant what you’re allergic to and they’ll make a point of putting together something you can eat.

The milestones chef went out of his way to get me some non soy marinated salmon, and he prepared some veggies and served it for me on a bed of roasted potatoes because I was allergic to soy, rice, wheat, nuts and so on. It was the best meal I had at the time for months: D. It wasn’t on their menu, but he made sure he did what he could to make sure I had a great time. It was much appreciated!

Bringing your own food is always an option!
The other option is to speak to the staff and bring your own foods, ask them to serve it on their plates and bring it out when everyone else is being served. I’ve done this at weddings and corporate parties before. I know the food will look different from what’s being served to everyone else, but at least it’s better than having to open up Tupperware in front of people at a formal dinner J I remember doing this at a Christmas dinner once, I brought a rice cake, the guy even heated up for me and garnished it with some sauce and some fruit!

Don't want to take a chance? Host your own Dinner party!
Finally, if you don’t feel comfortable eating out; afraid of cross contamination or other issues, then throw a party yourself! It’s great, you get to see your friends, eat with them, and you’re in control of the food that’s being served. Why not? I’ve done it before, served my friends and family rice crust pizza with gluten free breaded chicken wings and a sorghum flour blueberry cake. Cooking can become challenge, but use it to your advantage, by the end of the process you’ll be a great cook, because you can improvise with whatever’s available :D.

Some bakeries or shops I’ve personally been to are Magic Oven and Organic Oven, there are in the greater Toronto Area. Magic oven does pizzas on gluten free crusts with your choice of rice or spelt. Organic oven does customized baking of your choice with the ingredients you specify – great way to get a cake made for a family or friend.

Have Airborne alleriges? Hmm... try a drive thru!
Now if you have a problem with the smell of foods, like I began to develop, then there’s really no way out. Because it means that no one else around you should be eating anything that you may be allergic to; that’s highly unlikely.

But you if really want to dine out, try going to a smaller place, which may be less busy. I’m sure we all know of the place in our area that’s like that. If you don’t ask around, I’m sure you’ll find it. It may be pricey, but it’ll be worth the cost if you enjoy your meal.If you can help it, sit by yourself or if others are with you, ask them not to order specific things that may hurt you. E.g. Ask them not to order anything with peanuts in it.  

Sit close to the door if you can, so you can leave quickly if you need to. If you really can’t tolerate food smells, then order take out, or use the “drive thru” option. Or just buy your own ingredients and cook a gourmet meal for you and your friends and family at home!!!

Honestly as difficult as avoidance is, they key to success is patience. Hang in there, things will work out for you soon enough: D Then you can eat out as much as you want!

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