I’d love to order the severe stomach ache, with a side of bumpy, itchy rashes… Oh and for dessert, I would adore a trip to the emergency room! I totally lust after a meal like this…”

SAID NO ONE EVER.

I’d love to order the spaghetti dish but with gluten-free pasta instead of the original stuff… Oh and for dessert, I would adore that vegan, flour-less dark chocolate tarte.

Unfortunately… An order like the second one could translate into the first one very quickly… If a server and/or the kitchen at a restaurant does not obey the dining patron’s wishes.

With the insane rise of food allergies, intolerances and auto-immune diseases these days, I have to say I have witnessed an increase in the education of restaurant workers, however, I have also witnessed an increase in the snide eye.

I have had to order in such a way at restaurants for the last 17 years or so of my life (and I make the waiter/waitress GET A PEN AND PAPER TO WRITE THE DAMN ORDER DOWN) and while I never notice such eyes because I am legit in my own little “GiGi World” and don’t associate myself with any confrontation what-so-ever (even weird facial remarks)…

I know so many people with such issues who get insanely embarrassed to go out to eat because they assume they’re going to be labeled the “picky one” with the “fake problems”.

My friend Ariana, the Modern Day Girlfriend, who shares the title of “girl who can’t eat anything” (which is insanely untrue, however when people learn of our eating regimes they feel as though we can’t eat anything), and I met up and decided to film our feast at one of our favorite restaurants from beginning to end… Because we thought it might be interesting to show those who doubt they can ever go out to eat again just how EASY it is to get what you want…

Without winding up in the ER for dessert!

One order of the latest allergen-friendly GiGi Eats… Coming right up!

TIPS ON HOW TO EAT OUT ALLERGEN-FRIENDLY

• Check out the menu before you go (the Internet is a very powerful and informative tool)
• If you’re truly concerned, call the restaurant before you go and ask all the questions you want and need
• When ordering, don’t be shy, list out everything you don’t want the specific menu item to include
• Be nice to the waitstaff, they are basically holding your health in their hands
• Be sure to ask what kinds of oils the restaurant uses to cook their food (if you’re allergic to dairy, like me, they could inform you that they cook with butter) and request whatever cooking lubricant necessary that fits your diet
• If friends/relatives say they want to eat at a restaurant where there are no viable options for you, tell them you cannot eat anything there due to health reasons; if your friends don’t understand, GET NEW ONES… If your relatives don’t understand… GET NEW ONES (ha!)
• If you have a work function/meeting at a restaurant that doesn’t work for your diet, either eat before and simply tell the people you’re meeting with that you’re not hungry, or bring your own food (if acceptable at the restaurant) and tell your co-workers/peers that you suffer from food allergies that could be detrimental to your health
• In some cases, food allergies can be life-threatening, and it’s important to take them seriously. If you suspect that you have a food allergy or have experienced an allergic reaction in the past, it’s important to speak with a healthcare professional. Your doctor may refer you to an allergist for testing and diagnosis. In case of an emergency, it’s important to know where to go for help. If you live in Van Cortlandt Park, it’s a good idea to research and locate the nearest urgent care center, such as urgent care Van Cortlandt Park, in case of an allergic reaction or other medical emergencies. Knowing where to go and what to do in a medical emergency can help save lives.
• Have confidence in your food preferences and dietary restrictions, if you speak about them with confidence, people will respect you and admire your willpower to stay on track despite the possibility of cross-contamination
• Look out for words such as CREAMY, CRISPY, PAN-FRIED, AU JUS, DIP, STUFFED, CRUSTED, FRIED, DRIZZLED WITH, etc… Because any/all of the ingredients you cannot consume could be lingering
• Sauces and rubs could contain ingredients not suitable for your lifestyle, always ask exactly how things are prepared

SO TELL ME…

• Food allergies or auto-immune diseases; do you have any?
• If you have food allergies, intolerances or auto-immune diseases, do you find it difficult to dine out?
• What type of cuisine is your absolute favorite?
• Are you a fan of going out to eat or would you prefer to stay home?
• Have you ever had octopus before?
• Do you like it when I take you OUTSIDE of my kitchen?
• Do you have any advice for those dining out who have to modify their orders?