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Eating Out |
Eating out for a person with soy allergies can be a very hard and
stressful event. Most fast food restaurants and some sit down
restaurants will have an allergen information page online and/or a hotline that
you can call for allergen information.
However, you must read all the special notes and
starred (*) items. Soy Oil and
Soy Lecithin are normally NOT included among the allergens, along with anything
in the list that is red
or
that is an uncommon name for soy (see list). I suggest
reading the ingredients lists if the are available just to be extra sure
that a food is soy free.
Most sit down restaurants do not know what is in their oils
or foods, which makes things difficult when trying to order a dish that is soy
free. It is important that you
ask specifics, and if at all possible, try to speak with the chef if the
wait staff cannot answer your questions. You can try
calling ahead, but normally the person you get on the line will not know,
or they may refer you to an allergen hotline. Make
sure you ask about MSG,
Soy,
Soy Oil, and Soy Lecithin
specifically. If they say NO to all of these, ask if they cook in
Vegetable Oil or Vegetable Shortening. If they say
YES, it is probably best to eat something that is NOT cooked in oil or
shortening (i.e. a salad or a baked dish).
Also try to find
out if their foods are injected with anything.
If they are injected, most of the time it will be with a salt
water solution which is fine, but occasionally they might inject a
broth. If that is the case, find
out if the broth contains soy or a soy containing product.
If they do not know, avoid eating anything they say is
injected.
Another thing to consider when eating out is cross contamination. Do NOT eat food off of a salad bar or buffet where there are foods that most likely contain soy products (i.e. breaded items, items in sauces or broths). This is because often serving utensils get used for multiple dishes (If you have ever eaten at a buffet style restaurant, you may know what I mean.). Also, make sure you ask how food is prepared. You would not want them to use the same skillet to cook your soy free meal in that they used to cook a meal containing soy. If you do happen to order a salad from a restaurant that also has a salad bar available, make sure that they know not to make your salad up of items from the salad bar.
Yes, it is true that it is a little embarrassing for you to ask so many
questions, as well as it is a little annoying for the staff of a restaurant to
answer them. However, it is
better to be a little embarrassed and know than to guess and end up in hives, the
hospital, or worse. As long as you express
that you are allergic to soy in a calm, easy manner, making sure that they
understand the consequences if you eat soy, then they will be more than
willing to accommodate you if they can. Remember,
they want your business!
If you cannot find a restaurant in your area that you believe you
can get a soy free meal at, and you would like to go out with friends, just take
along a snack/meal that you know is soy free for yourself, order water or
a beverage you know is soy free, and enjoy your evening out with your
friends. If the wait staff gives you a hard time, tell them the
situation. It is no different than
bringing a bottle for a baby who can only drink formula; it's a necessity, not
a rude act. You'll find that
most restaurants will be very understanding and not upset at all. It's bad public relations for them to make a scene over
something like that, anyway, and most will not risk that. However, if you are embarrassed about the thought of
taking along your own food, eat ahead of time at home, and just plan on not
eating at the restaurant. Once
you are there, you can explain that you already ate, and just order water or
something soy free to drink if you wish.
Eventually you will get used to the questions of "Why aren't you eating?" or "Why did you bring your own meal?", and eventually you will stop feeling uncomfortable about doing what you need to do. You are not a freak of nature, though I know the thought will cross your mind. You just have a soy allergy, and therefore there are certain things you have to do that are different. Different people have different needs. That does not make us freaks, it makes us unique.
List of Soy, Soy Containing
Products, and Possible Sources
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