Eat Deal

Tomteboda asked:


I have an unfortunate allergy to all things soy. It goes far beyond just being unable to have tofu or soy sauce; I can’t even eat things with soy lecithin like most chocolate , and food cooked with cooking sprays makes me ill (even the canola because they use soy as a propellant). Because of this, I’ve taken to avoiding eating out. Sometimes, however, social niceties demand dining out.

I was wondering how other people with similar allergies handle these situations, when you are obligated socially to go and eat. I have to confess I’m getting very tired of eating dry salads (my friends do not have high budgets and most lower-cost places don’t give you the option of fresh vinegar/olive oil) to avoid having to ask the server closely about food ingredients (usually they have no clue). If its possible I call ahead to find that information out, but that can’t always happen.

How do you handle avoiding foods you’re allergic to politely?

Edna