How to go out with a food allergy

If you want a foolproof method to avoid an allergic reaction, it's obvious: do not eat outside. Some menu items may not contain your specific allergens, but this can never be fully guaranteed. The New York Times even wrote about the problems posed by food labels, often misleading consumers into believing they do not contain allergens.

"The servers may not take your restriction seriously or pbad the information to the kitchen properly," Purvi Parikh, an allergist and immunologist at NYU, told Vice. "The other possibility is human error.Despite effort and communication, a person may forget and accidentally the allergen may come into contact with the patient's food."

Instead, plan a dinner at home without the risk of an allergic reaction (you will have to cook, but at least you will be able to show off your culinary prowess).

Communicate your allergy

So you have decided to go ahead and dine at the restaurant, which is also quite reasonable. But you will have to plan in advance. My friend Brian is allergic to just about anything (nuts, eggs, beans) and has often scheduled dates well in advance. He stated:

Once, for a blind meeting, I went to the restaurant the day before, I chose what I was going to eat and then ate it for lunch. to ensure that he was safe. I thought I could avoid the annoying anxiety of my food allergies and focus only on the exact date.

Brian is married now, so he will never have to deal with this anxiety again, thankfully (at least in a romantic setting).

If you want to plan a little less, call the restaurant and inform the waiters of your allergy. According to Food Allergy Research & Education, call during off-peak hours (so they do not forget to take note of your requests during the busiest hours) and ask them specifically if they can meet your needs. If that's the case, ask them if they have separate areas, cutting boards and utensils to prepare your food and if you can take a look at some of the ingredients in the kitchen. # 39; tab. Yes, this may seem a little difficult, but many restaurants are equipped to handle allergy requests!

You can also talk to your server as soon as you arrive and discuss all the allergies even before your appointment is there, by asking some of the questions above (if you do not feel able to discuss your health issues in front of a stranger).

If possible, choose the restaurant too. If you can find a menu that does not contain your allergy, chances are in your favor. It has also been shown that ordering items containing simpler ingredients is an effective strategy for going out to the restaurant with a dreaded reaction.

Do not go out (at least, not yet)

So you decided to have dinner outside and it's okay! Your airways are clear and your appointment wants to move. Not so fast. Even if you do not have food containing an allergen, physical contact can still cause an allergic reaction. GQ emphasized the importance of communicating with your date, if and when it becomes necessary:

It's not a problem for me, it's my humble mark that I kissed a woman and lived to tell the story. All this to say that before attacking, it's probably best to ask your date and make sure everything is fine first.

Tell your appointment that you have an allergy, especially if your state of health requires it, and ask if he has consumed the allergen recently. Although some allergies may cause a less severe reaction, if you experience more serious health problems, you should inform your partner. Although there is no hard and fast rule, research suggests waiting four hours before a saliva exchange.

Do not engage in a long conversation or be ashamed of open dialogue. An allergy should not weigh you down emotionally, and let's be honest: we all have our luggage when it comes to going out together (some of us hide it better).

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