Page 54 - The Ultimate Guidebook for Teens with Food Allergies

Introduction
When you were a kid, your mom or dad probably pulled the waiter aside, explained your allergies, and made sure you got a safe meal. You may not have realized it, but they probably took the worrying off of your plate: no pun intended. But now, as a teen, you can probably think of many situations where you wouldn’t want a parent tagging along. Maybe you’re going for a team dinner, grabbing a slice of pizza with friends, or even going on a date. Imagine if your mom came with you on a first date to make sure your food was safe—talk about a third wheel! Learning how to advocate for yourself while you’re dining out will allow you to enjoy a lot of fun situations as a teen and young adult.
Dining out with allergies can be tricky. But there are a number of things you can do to make it an enjoyable experience. Calling restaurants ahead of time, speaking to wait staff, talking to a chef or manager, and explaining the severity of your allergy/allergies, including the risks of cross-contamination, are a few skills that will help you have a great time while enjoying your meal with some peace of mind.
When things go right
At Your Service, by Nicole
One summer day, I was walking downtown with my friend. We had been shopping all day and were famished! We noticed that a brand new restaurant was open. Despite having some of my allergens on the menu, we still decided to eat there. I am allergic to all seafood and I’ve found that most restaurants do have seafood somewhere on their menu. However, by speaking to the wait staff and manager, I can usually find a safe option that has minimal risk of cross-contamination. I mentioned my allergens to the waiter. Immediately, the manager came over and began to offer some options that would be safe for me. If that wasn’t enough, the manager then went back to speak to the kitchen staff. The next thing I knew, one of the cooks came out and spoke to me about the dish I ordered! I was so impressed! I felt very secure and was grateful that all staff members at this restaurant were knowledgeable and willing to assist me in finding a safe option to eat. My meal was delicious and I left with a huge smile on my face!
Opening up Restaurant Doors, by Caiti
Throughout high school, I tended to avoid dining out. I would never eat the cafeteria food at school or order anything at a restaurant. I would bring safe lunches and dinners everywhere I went and I stayed on the lookout for a microwave to heat up my food. I just didn’t feel comfortable dining out at all.
As I got older, I started facing another challenge—dating. I would always try to suggest options that didn’t involve food whenever I was asked to go on a date. Whether it was golfing, going to the movies, or watching a hockey game, I always made sure that I would have a huge lunch to tide myself over. I did not want my allergies to stop me from having fun. So this compromise was okay.