I hate eating out - how did you get over this?
#249004 - 02/27/06 05:38 PM
|
|
|
|
hawkeye
Reged: 06/16/03
Posts: 705
Loc: NYC
|
|
|
Hey everyone,
So in the middle of a "discussion" last night with my wife, she mentioned that she doens't like eating out with me since I'm so visibly uncomfortable when we go out. (Also she's tired of eating mostly Asian food, since I don't eat dairy or wheat we usually end up at japanese or thai)
I need to get past the way it stresses me out to go to restaurants, I hate being at the mercy of a chef who may not take my food intolerances seriously. How have y'all coped? I'd rather my wife didn't hate going out with me!!!!
--------------------
Ladies & gentlemen take my advice, pull down your pants and slide on the ice.
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
Sorry, Hawk.....
#249017 - 02/27/06 07:22 PM
|
|
|
|
Bevvy
Reged: 11/04/03
Posts: 5918
Loc: Northwest Washington State
|
|
|
Have you tried Applebee's? Their tilapia fish is incredible. What about ihop? You could order a plain chicken sandwich -- in fact, almost all restaurants serve a chicken sandwich. If that doesn't appeal to you, then how about taking some store-bought shredded soy mozzarella with you to your wife's favorite pizza parlor and asking the chef to use it on your pizza (your wife can order something else if she doesn't want the soy cheese).
I do sympathize -- with both of you -- 'cause I know how it is. However, I confess I'm not real crazy 'bout eating out; frankly, the fear of the food isn't worth the so-called pleasure of the experience. I'd much rather cook at home and KNOW what's in my food, and hubby seems to really like my cooking, so he's very amenable to eating at home.
Hawk, when you get stable, you'll discover you can return to some of the forbidden foods you've done without for so long. Try to hang in there 'till that time. It WILL happen, I promise you.
--------------------
<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
Hi,
I have never liked eating out because I've had so much trouble in the past. Even though I now know why, I still would rather cook at home than eat out. But I have found on the rare occcasion that I do end up in a restaurant that if I simply explain to them that I have very strict diet requirements they are very accomodating. I don't tell them what I have, just that I can get very sick from dairy or whatever else is in the recipe. To date, no one has ever given me a hard time about it. In fact, most people go out of their way to help. And I always tip well and send my thanks to the chef. At first, I felt wierd about it, but being faced with the alternative helped me get over my initial worries. Now I have no problem with it.
For quite a while, I would just prepare my own food and eat it at the restaurant. On occasion, I still do that. And still, when friends of mine want to get together, I offer to cook for everyone and host a little get together. Most of the time they don't even know they're eating soy or tofu. And a lot of them have discovered that they like a lot of new foods.
--------------------
***********************
If you're not dead, you've still got time.
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
I'm with all of you... I prefer making my own food to eating out any day. No matter how careful I try to be it never settles quite as well. I have been doing better now that I've started advocating strongly for myself, though. I make sure to tell the waiter or waitress right off the bat that I'm allergic to dairy and can't have anything with milk, butter, and even most margarines. I also have learned to watch out for sneaky things that they fail to notice like toasting the buns with butter. That said, I have found some things that are typically safe. Bev mentioned grilled chicken sandwiches, and that's one of my staples when I go out. I also look for turkey burgers or salmon. The only thing to watch out for with fish is that it's often cooked in a buttery sauce, but I've asked for the butter to be left out and restaurants have been happy to oblige. I hope that helps!
--------------------
"Anyone can exercise, but this kind of lethargy takes real discipline." -Garfield
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
well it's hard NOT to freak out about the food you have no control over...because you have no idea what they are doing...servers may think you are just a picky freak, the kitchen might just wipe off the cheese if they accidently put it on there...it's scary. I talk to my server...and say, i appologize about being a freak like this, but if i eat certain things i'm in the bathroom for lik 3 days...and it's really not fun...they are ususally sympathetic...i am a server, and when my tables tell me that they are allergic, i am extra careful, and luckily MY resteraunt is very careful (mainly because we could get sued if we make someone sick) but alot of people have some kind of fod allergy and they can relate
i've gone as far as asking for the kitchen manager, and explaining my situation, i always say "i'm sorry, i hate to be like this, trust me, i hate how my body reacts if i have something wrong.." and make it more like your hassled by it, you'll gain more sympathy.
i can't have dairy, whey, high fructose corn syrup those will send me straight to the bathroom, but if i have the other trigger foods, i'll be all bloated and gassy for a few days. so if you feel up to it...ask food not to be cooked in butter....tell your server too, most will understand...and i always ask if they mind either checking, or getting the kitchen manager to check...
GO WHEN IT"S NOT BUSY!!! if you go not at peak hours, your server will probalby be more willing to help you out, if it was a friday night and someone got all crazy on what they could have, i would probably freak out...if it's just dairy, it's easy...becuase i know what has dairy and HFCS(only because i've checked all ingredient) but if its other stuff or whatever, i would stress...and trust me, it's hard enough at peak hours to keep everyone happy...consistantly happy...so that's a HUGE suggestion i have. When you appreciate it too, it will make them more willing to help.
mike and i never go out either, if we do it's ONLY japanese food, he has never ventured into thai...and i don't think is willing to anytime soon...
if you go somewhere with like pasta...i've actually taken my own butter, and then i salt it myself, i explain to my server whats wrong with me...and they try to help...everyone seems to know someone with some kind of food intollerence...so they ususally will understand, and go an extra mile if you show that you aren't just trying to be a pain in the ass! i'm a server, so i tend to tip higher than most...but at least they sorta know too that you were trying to not just be insane about it all!! (becuase bill is ususally 4 dollars...i;ll get bland food, and fruit...but i'll tip 10-15 if they were understanding..you know...because i know how it is
thats all haha
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
i only say that becuse i have gotten sick a few times off things that i couldn't figure out the trigger, then i'd gone back to ask if there was milk or whey or HFCS in the bread, and ususally there is...if your not EXTREMELY sensitive, you'll probably be ok...but i've gotten sick on a few occations before i knew better.
also things that are made at the resteraunt and they said no milk was added (waffles or pancakes) there may be in the dry mix...most places have the dry batter, and they add their own to make it THEIR own...
round table i know for a fact has milk in the dough...mountain mike's is safe...thats all i know, but you ask the manager, they will understand..otherwise if you go to corperate and tell them they gave you a hard time, they could get in trouble too!!!
so just be weary of that too!!'
just always ask if you are as sensitive to the stuff as i am!!
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
Hawk, I have been there and it is so frustrating. Actually, I am a little better, but I still have to be very careful what I order.
Most places have baked potatos, for now, you may have to eat it dry. And for so long that was fine with me because I knew it was not going to hurt me and I could fill my tummy. Now, when I order a potato, I ask for FF Italian dressing on the side, or maybe a vinegrette. I always get funny looks from the waiters/waitresses, now I am going to ask them to bear with me because I have food intolerances.
You can also order chicken fajitas, and eat just the chicken, they may even be willing to saute' the chicken in a skillet instead of on the grill beside the beef fajitas.
I don't know your logistics, but I am on the coast and I order grilled seafood. Usually fish, shrimp and oysters. The oysters, if you like them, are divine grilled. Always with my baked potato, dry. haha
I hope this may have helped you.
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
It is not unusual for me to bring my own meal--seriously.
I do not consider "grilled chicken or fish" safe--often the chicken or fish is pre-frozen with mysterious seasonings & spices that disagree with me.
It is very usual for me to just keep good company & eat before or after, however, now I am very comfortable bringing my own prepared Kate-safe food.
Kate, IBS-D.
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
Posts
