Eating out with a dairy allergy can be done.
Ever since I discovered that dairy was causing my asthma to be out of control, it has been quite a challenge when it comes to eating out. I am lucky that my dairy allergy is not life-threatening so I do not have to be ultra strict when it comes to my diet. If I eat dairy, I usually feel queasy for a couple of hours and if it is a large amount then I experience mucus and the asthmatic cough. So I may a small amount of dairy on occasion. So for now, I have been eating no dairy when at home and have a small bit of dairy when eating out. For me, that small bit of dairy means butter in a cookie or food that was sauteed in butter. I just stay away from the obvious like cheese on a pizza and ice cream. So when my family eats out, we choose places that are allergy friendly or serve vegan food. I am glad that many restaurants have menus online so I can be prepared when I visit their place. That way I do not have to be that pain that annoys the cooks with special orders. Also, it seems that special orders take longer. I remember the time when I ordered a specialty pizza without cheese and it took twice as long to make. The cooks are so used to making it one way and they probably had to remake my pizza. So by choosing a place that is allergy friendly, the cooks are used to special orders.
Choosing foods without milk
I was happy to discover that one of my favorite restaurants is allergy friendly. My family and I received an invitation to check out Sweet Tomatoes and I was thrilled until I remembered that I could not eat dairy foods. Dairy seems to be in almost everything. So I went to Sweet Tomatoes website and discovered that they have an Interactive Nutritional Menu that I could view online. I love that I was able to personalize it to see what foods I could enjoy that did not have dairy in them. This feature had a list of nine common food allergies like peanuts and soy. So I could omit foods with soy also. For now, it is only large amounts of soy that bother me like tofu and soybeans. I am fine with soy in oils and sauces.
You can personalize the menu for many health reasons
The online Interactive Nutritional Menu could be personalized to more than allergies but also to dietary preferences like vegan and vegetarian options. One could also customize the menu according to nutritional things like calories, fat, carbs, protein, and more. This online nutritional menu allowed me to see what foods I could select before I went to Sweet Tomatoes. Knowing that I could eat other foods besides raw vegetables on the salad bar, made me quite happy. I do love veggies but a meal of veggies and bread can get quite boring as I found out a couple of weeks ago when I went to the Balloon Fiesta and had to bring protein bars to supplement my meals in the media tent.
What this dairy-free gal ate at Sweet Tomatoes
My family, especially the boys loved going to Sweet Tomatoes for dinner. The boys loved the pizza, ice cream, and brownies while my husband enjoyed the different pasta dishes. I loved all the variety of fruits and vegetables that were on the salad bar. I also loved that the salad bar had beans, eggs, and sunflower seeds so I was able to get protein in my meal. There was a couple of prepared salads that I could enjoy along with some dressings. I loved that could access the Interactive menu while I was in the restaurant so I did not consume any dairy. I was able to enjoy a baked potato and freshly baked bread from the hot bar. Since I can't enjoy butter when eating out, I have learned that dipping my bread in balsamic vinegarette tastes so delicious. At home, I am able to use dairy-free spreads on my bread.
I left Sweet Tomatoes with a full belly
I felt there was plenty of foods that I could enjoy at Sweet Tomatoes but it was hard having to avoid their delicious cheese focaccia and ice cream. These are foods that I enjoy and while I am able to make pizza at home with dairy-free "cheese" it is hard to find pizza places that use this type of "cheese." I am glad that I had my favorite dairy-free "ice cream" at home so I was able to satisfy that craving once I got home.
Do you struggle with food allergies?
GIVEAWAY
I have two coupons to giveaway for two free meals at Sweet Tomatoes that even include drinks. To Enter, just enter on the form below. Good luck!
GIVEAWAY
I have two coupons to giveaway for two free meals at Sweet Tomatoes that even include drinks. To Enter, just enter on the form below. Good luck!
31 comments:
That's great you wrote about this because I am going to Sweet Tomatoes tonight. The won tons are to die for!
Sweet Tomatoes is a great restaurant. They have an amazing selection for any dietary need.
This sounds awesome! I love when a restaurant is allergy friendly my second and third born babies had/ have a milk and soy allergy. It just makes things easier when you can easily find what is okay to eat!
Thank you for the great post! I do not have any food allergies, but I am trying to move away from dairy. I will give this a try!
What a great post!! My son and his friend both have food allergies so it is always helpful to know what restaurants are allergy friendly. Thanks for the information
That looks amazing!! I love that restaurants are trying to make an effort to help those with food restrictions. I don't have any food allergies, but am vegetarian and am always surprised when I go to a restaurant and they have NOTHING on their menu for me! I have to get creative then :)
I cant imagine having a serious food allergy, it must be so stressful to eat out anywhere because so many places claim to be safe but sometimes arnt. this seems like a great place with a good selection~
I love that there is an allergy friendly restaurant. Looks like so many choices for everyone!
I love that they are making amazing options for people with allergies! This looks incredible!
Its so good that this restaurant caters for all the needs of people who have allergies. There are not many restaurants that offer this and those that do the menu is limited.
I love Sweet Tomatoes! They have something for everyone, especially people who have dietary restrictions!
That's great that you were able to find a place you could eat. My daughter has a peanut allergy and it's so tough to go out to eat and feel completely safe.
We traveled a lot when my daughter had to eat gluten free. It was almost impossible to eat out without her getting sick. I am thankful for places that make an effort to accommodate food allergies.
I am so happy there are more restaurants that are becoming more accommodating for many different food restrictions. I dont have a food allergy but I am pescatarian so the only meat I can eat is seafood, everything else I cant eat anymore with other anmimals.
i am glad that there are more and more allergy-friendly restaurants. I have a banana and avocado allergy and have to ask about certain ingredients when I go to a restaurant.
This post is very interesting and informative. I don't have allergies and I never thought about restaurants accommodating people with allergies, that is a good thing.
Thank you for the great post! I do not have any food allergies, but I am trying to remove dairy from my diet!
I love the numerous salad ingredients Sweet Tomatoes provides!
skkorman AT bellsouth DOT net
I have never been to Sweet Tomatoes but I have heard good things about them love to give them a try
I really like the baked potato bar as well as the chili.
I like their broccoli cheddar soup - so delish
Well, salad of course...but I absolutely adore their carrot soup! :-) Thank you.
I love their split pea soup
We haven't been to Sweet Tomatoes for a few years, but I love their salad bar!
I've never been to one before. The Four Cheese Fettuccine Alfredo sounds great.
I would love to try their Garden Fresh Vegetable Marinara with Spaghetti. I had no idea there was a location near me!
I like their salads!
mia2009(at)comcast(dot)net
I haven't been to Sweet Tomatoes in while but I always loved the Wonton Chicken Salad.
Salad is the main reason most of us go to Sweet Tomatoes but I love their mac & cheese and cheesy garlic focaccia.
I love the soup selection.
I like their soups.
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