Thread: when you go out to eat

Question is intended for those who eat only organic, or are on diabetic diets , etc...those who have to make diet choices...

How do you navigate a menu when you go out to eat? Do you ask what they offer that is, for example, sugarless? Or do you only go to organic restaurants like deli's at Trader Joes?

I've realized how lazy I am about opening a menu and ordering what looks good instead of choosing what is healthy..

For a long time my mother had some pretty extreme food allergies (and, at the same time, I caught a 'lovely' parasite -- I named him George) so we were both put on very restricted diets.

Step one was always considering the restaurant's menu before we even walked in (or, if it was somewhere we went to often, before we even left the house!). We tried to look for items that would fit into our strict diets, we would like, and/or could possibly be easily tailored by the chef. If it was somewhere we went a lot, it would be NUMBER of items like this

Step two, once we were actually at the table, was questions. Lots and lots of questions as to ingredients. However, being a foodie family, our questions were tempered with understanding that there's certain things a chef can't do -- like take the milk and flour out of a chowder, or take the sugar out of a certain salad dressing.

Restaurants that had gluten-free menus, veggie options, and organic/sustainable options always got bonus points, as did friendly and helpful staff.

In general, though we've both 'recovered' as much as possible, my parents still shop for and prefer organics (we love Whole Foods). Since I now live abroad, I shop a lot at farmers' markets, where things are most likely healthier and I'm supporting the local community.

Hope this helped a little! ..g.:

Well, the easy answer is that you only eat at restaurants which you know fit your dietary requirements.

But we do live in the real world. . .

The more difficult but more realistic way is to be smart about how most food is made and what ingredients are in most foods. And when in doubt, keep to simple choices - grilled meats, steamed veggies with no sauce or sauce on the side, vinegar and oil on the side for you salad. Of course, here in LA we have a culture where people are always ordering off menu. In many places this doesn't work.

{{{HUGS}}}

I find that having a "smaller range of dietary requirements" (which is how I like to think of it) makes it rather easy to eat at a restaurant in which I know I can eat something. I can open the menu and know exactly what I can order, not hemming and hawing over too many choices.

Have you tried House of Tricks in Tempe? OMG so good...

I am gluten intolerant which makes eating out nearly impossible--so I don't eat out much at all.

If I do eat out I just make sure to stick to things off the top of my head that I know does not contain gluten like bunless burgers and veggies. I avoid fried foods, as they are cooked in the same grease as battered food items. Like if I go to Wendy's I'll get a bunless burger and a baked potato instead of fries. If I get a salad anywhere I request to read the dressings' ingredients since many dressings and sauces have gluten in them.

I don't eat fast food much but I actually prefer getting fast food than eating at restaurants because at least at fast food restaurants, many of their items are packaged and they have to problems with letting you read ingredients. Wait staff at sit-down restaurants act clueless when you have special dietary needs and treat you like you've committed a great offense by asking what's in stuff.

For people who are celiac or gluten intolerant, we have The Gluten-Free Registry--a website that lists restaurants and bakeries all over the country that have gluten-free items on their menus, are gluten-free dedicated establishments, and chain restaurants that offer gluten-free options, have detailed allergen lists on their menus or will prepare items to avoid cross-contamination on request. When want to go out to eat, I consult the gluten-free registry.

Perhaps you can research to see if such a web site database exists listing establishments that cater to your dietary needs?

Rice, potatoes, salads, meat entrees (not fried) seafood (not fried calamari or anything breadded or stuffed) with subs for french fries and other wheat or fried sides.. Keep the bread basket on the other end of the table or ask for an appetizer that you can eat. It sounds strange but I can eat at steak houses (lean cuts with spinach and potatoes) italian (no pasta, fish or meat entrees with lots of roasted veggies and salads.) Diner breakfasts, eggs, potatoes, turkey bacon etc....

I avoid spanish places, too much fried. Chinese is difficult, starch or flour is added to many sauces to thicken, usually I order steamed with a very liquid sauce on the side. Mexican is also problematic, I'll order burritos, and eat the inside or fajitas leaving the flour tortillas alone, but when they bring those chips to the table I know I'm in trouble.....

A lot of restaurants have their menu on the website so you can check ahead of time if there's anything you can eat.