Hi! My name is Noah. I’m a newer member of YAP, and I’m allergic to peanuts and tree nuts.
My brothers and I play a lot of hockey on the weekends, so we aren’t home much and sometimes like to eat out. Eating at restaurants can be difficult for people with allergies, because many people don’t know how to speak with their waiter.
When I eat out, I ask the waiter or waitress if they use any peanuts or tree nuts in the kitchen. I feel really uncomfortable when restaurants use peanuts, because I’m very severely allergic to them. If they use peanuts, we leave. If they use tree nuts (but no peanuts) I let them know that I have a tree nut allergy, and I ask them to make sure that no nuts come into contact with my food.
Most of the time, restaurants can accommodate me very well. Restaurants that use nuts often use them in desserts – so when I eat out, I rarely get dessert. Instead, I just wait until we are done eating and get a chocolate bar from the convenience store. Sometimes, no one else in my family orders dessert either to make me feel happy and included, which is nice of them to do!
I also know to avoid certain types of restaurants, like Thai restaurants, which often use peanuts in their cooking.
Overall, I have had great experiences at restaurants. You can too, as long as you take the extra steps to keep yourself safe!
What experiences have you had dining out with food allergies? Leave a comment or question below, or visit our facebook page!
Tags: Dining out, Noah M.