Eating out is always a challenge when you have dietary restrictions. Besides the fact that you have no control over the menu options, you also have no idea what hidden ingredients chefs add to dishes. With the holidays fast approaching, you need to be able to navigate eating out. Here are my tips for safely enjoying restaurants and holiday parties without running into issues.
Tip #1: Research the Restaurant
I think it’s crazy when people go to a restaurant and they haven’t looked at the menu yet. By now, most restaurants post their menus online. Please do yourself a favor and read the menu before you go eat there. This will give you an idea of what dishes work for you, and possibly how you can modify other options.
Additionally, look for ways to get creative if the restaurant has limited items that work for you. You can make a meal out of a few appetizers. Also, check out the side dishes offered. Most restaurants will allow you to swap out accompanying sides to proteins.
Tip #2: Eat Before You Go
If you are going to a restaurant with limited options or a holiday party with no menu available, have a small meal before you go. That way, if you are stuck with an appetizer or salad, you won’t be starving. Poor food choices happen when you get too hungry.
Make sure that small meal contains a good source of protein and healthy fats. It will keep you full, especially if the party will be a long one. You can also bring a portable snack with you if you start to get hungry again.
Tip #3: Speak to the Chef
Another great way to ensure you will be taken care of is to call the restaurant in advance. Ask to speak with the chef and see if they can accommodate your dietary requirements. Most chefs like having a heads up so they can do their best to make your meal fit your needs. And if they can’t accommodate you, then you have time to make another reservation somewhere else.
This is a great habit to get into if you enjoy eating out regularly. Before I moved out of New York City, my husband and I tried to eat at all of our bucket list restaurants. One of them had a very seasonal menu and it was not even posted on their website. So I called to see if they could accommodate me, and they couldn’t. I’m so glad I called ahead because that would have been a very expensive meal that I could not have eaten.
Tip #4: Ask the Host
What if you are going to someone’s house, or a party hosted at a restaurant with a set menu? Call the host in advance and ask what they plan to serve or have available. That way, you will know exactly what you can and cannot eat. I would feel terrible if I hosted a party and I had a guest that could not eat anything. It may feel a little uncomfortable and awkward to do. However, it will save you and your host in the long run. And, if they aren’t serving anything you can eat, offer to bring your own dish. That way, you won’t go hungry and the host will not stress out about finding something that works for you.
Eating out, especially around the holidays, doesn’t have to be hard. Follow these tips to make this a stress free option for you. If you want more tips on how to eat and live better with an autoimmune disease, follow me on my socials (Instagram, YouTube and Facebook). Additionally, contact me for personalized help.
