Eating out

[Freya's Mummy]

There must be heaps on this site about eating out ... can somebody point me in the right direction.
I'm particularly interested in how to eat out with a dairy free and egg free two year old ...
So far I've phoned places in advance ... and I always carry some food on me ... even if it's just bread sticks (!).
But what do you do if you have to eat out unexpectedly ... the rest of just buy a sandwiche (but what about the bread and butter), or get some pasta (is it wheat or egg), or get jacket potato and beans (are the beans ok), etc etc. I don't always find asking helpful!
Really would appreciate your advice.

[matt]

same as any other time really, either into a supermarket and buy only what you can read the ingredients of and make a picnic up.
or into a pub/resturant and ask if they have dairy free stuff. if they look at you like you are insane then best bet is to go somehwere else. as i'd not trust anything they then told you.
small and not busy cafe/pub that do freshly prpared food good bet.

[cnc]

Always carry around some snacks. I don't know much about what you can feed kids, but cereal bars are normally quite useful.

When eating out unexpectedly I've had some random combinations of food, like chips and fruit salad!! The only things they could tell me were dairy free.
Smallish sandwich shops normally make their own sandwiches on site, so should be able to conform to what you need.
If you're out somewhere, and think its likely that you're going to eat out, keep an eye open for places, early on. Much better than getting to 1pm or whatever and suddenly having to rush around and get food.

Hope this helps.

[Copper]

My daughter is egg, dairy, wheat and gluten intolerant and she can eat jacket potato and baked beans when she is out.

I am intolerant to a large number of foods too so I always have a snack bar or biscuits in my bag when I go out. Even the margarine on bread would be enough to make me ill

[Ruth]

we went to Nandos last week with a friend who's daughter has coeliacs disease...so we had two children who between them are allergic to everything! They have a really helpful and easy to use booklet which told us what they could all eat...

ALthough, a couple of weeks ago we went to a Beefeater and they produced a massive document about what was in each food...we picked something that they said was "safe" and Cate was in terrible pain with bad nappies and vomiting six hours later...when I spoke to them they said there was a problem with cross-contamination because the food is preprepared off site..but loads of the big restaurants have info on site

[tigerlily]

I would never go out without some sort of (at least) snack for Eden...been there, done that. There are so many places that don't offer dairy-, nut- and gluten-free foods, besides, being 2 1/2, she is fussy!!!

For instance, we went to the zoo yesterday and I had a lunchbox full of her lunch and snacks. We ate at the zoo's restaurant and Eden -as Copper said - ended up sharing my Baked Potato and later had a fruit ice lolly. Tomorrow we'll be going to a place we've never been before -for an Easter Egg Hunt: we know we'll eat lunch there so I'll pack her bag. again. I'll also pack her Dairy-Free Easter Egg and will swap it at the end of the Hunt!
I don't mind enquiring at a restaurant about the ingredients of a dish at all -but in most cases it's not worth it as I know from experience that accidents with cross-contamination happen on a regular basis.

Vanessa.

[matt]

the problem with the average resturant is the monkeys in the kitchen. they are paid sod all so care sod all. unfortunate but true.

[Freya's Mummy]

Thanks all.

Confirming what I've already been discovering.

Freya seems to react to even very minor amounts of dairy ... but i supose she still has a very tiny tummy as she's only just two. We are also at the stage where she wants to be like everyone else ... so I'd like to be able to buy her something and not have to resort to my handbag standby marmite sandwiches!!!

More questions for you ...

Bread seems to be generally ok ... but she reacted when a friend used M&S bread (checked later and it contained whey powder). Do most of you trust bread if you are out ... and what about things like french stick ... is that ever made with milk? I'd never risk marg.

Also ... baked beans. I read somewhere that they sometimes contain dairy. Do you know if this is true or can I be safe with beans when out.

Good to know about the ice lollies ... I haven't got as far as thinking about the summer yet.

Thanks again, Lou x

[tigerlily]

How about packing a dairy-free muffin as a standby? (from zedsfoods at www.goodnessdirect.co.uk (http://www.goodnessdirect.co.uk)) That's how I do it. They are quite tasty!

Baked beans -I've never come across any dairy ingredients BUT whey powder and gluten is common. So far I've only found Heinz ORGANIC Baked Beans to be clear of all of that. I personally wouldn't risk it.

As far as wanting to be like the other children is concerned -Eden goes to Playgroup once a week, with her childminder, where all children have some biscuits at the end of the session. I've searched and found dairy-free biscuits that look just like the custard creams they eat there - Eden is happy!


Vanessa.

[Freya's Mummy]

I know F reacts to whey powder so I won't risk it. I think I know the custard creams you mean! Freya is only dairy and egg free so we also have other biscuit alternatives ... but thank you for the muffin tip ... I'd found dairy free but not egg free. We'll give those a go.

Fortunately we've only had two tantrums with Freya so far ... both about food. The first she didn't like it when i tried to recover a biscuit from her mouth that she picked up off the flour at toddler group! The second on a picnic when all the others had a petit filou (sp). I'm sure it will get easier as she gets older and understands a little more.

[matt]

the trouble is that all types of bread could be made with some whey as it improves the texture slightly.
like everything if it's processed it's easier to just assume that it will have some.
it's a pain to take stuff with you but at least you know for sure. and what's wrong with marmite sandwiches!!:lol2:

[Pam]

French sticks are often glazed with some sort of milk glaze. We fell foul of that one a few years ago. Bread is safest if you can see the ingredients on the wrapper so all that yummy home bakery stuff in the supermarket is out.

[matt]

do the home baked yummy bread insead. even nicer!!!:)

[Nic]

Freya's Mummy - a couple of tips, one of which is that I haven't found anything from M&S (apart from plain fruit) which doesn't have dairy in. They're much worse than any other supermarket. Not sure why, but perhaps its because they're aiming for the luxury market. Anyway, even their plain beef sandwich has cream in.

Second tip, is to look out for RJ flapjacks. They're at most newsagents and station shops i(at least in London) and all the fruit ones are vegan (so no egg or dairy). They're huge (about 600 calories each) so they're a full meal replacement for an adult, let alone a child, and so they're really handy for when you miss a whole meal. They also keep a very long time in the bottom of a handbag without falling apart. Other bars which are more snack size and are OK are Frusli, Trek and Lara bars. The Frusli ones are easy to find, the last two are nicer but I've only found them in good health food shops (Fresh and Wild).

Hope that helps a bit.

Nic

[Freya's Mummy]

Thanks everyone. I do generally take stuff with me ... but got caught out a few weeks ago when we were out longer than expected ... hence my question. On that occasion I felt so inept and out of my depth when she'd finished my food from home ... but we managed with a banana, an apple and a bottle of water!
Thanks especially for the snack bar and bread info. I'm still on a steep learning curve!

[Lou C]

Hiya, I buy quite a few things from the Organix Goodies range which is on most supermarkets. They have corn snacks, snack packs of mini biscuits and fruit & oat bars, I know that none of these are meals but are okay as a put on and none of them have any chemical nasties in them! I usually have a couple of these in Zac's bag, as well as raisins, tesco mini breadsticks, and mini rice cakes. The tofutti soft cheeese is quite nice in sandwiches as a change from marmite. Lou xx

[LouJ]

I recently made two mistakes ue to lack of attention to detail -

picked up a packet of snacky crisps by the Kettle Chip brand, useful when out and about if not entirely healthy! Read ingredients, all clear. Picked up second pack. Was out at friends, stayed for lunch and teh two boys (2 and a half yrs) shared packet.....ooops, someone had put a different flavour pack back in wrong box on shelf and I had not noticed that I had two different flavoured packs, this one had milk powder in and we had a bad night:mad:

also picked up small jar of aubergine pesto to use a s a stir in pasta sauce, dead easy meal. Didn't read carefully enough...came to use it, contains Lactic acid (i ask you:confused: ) so couldn't use it.

I don't trust bread when I'm out and most catering staff cannot possibly be expected to know every last ingredient in every product they use - pay peanuts....monkeys, as someone has already pointed out:rolleyes: ) and even my husband is getting very good at taking bread out with him in case they decide to grab a sandwich somewhere:) .

On the other hand....allergies and intolerances are becoming more widespread and establishments need to be made aware of the consequences of contamination otherwise we will all be working hard for a very long time:o . The veggie/vegan lobby will no doubt say that there is a long way to go still, but things have got a lot better for them, so...

[matt]

yhe trouble resturants etc face with alergies is that with the very sensitive it is damn near impossible to guarantee that no cross contamination has occurred in a decent resturant. imagine how hard in fast food/pub grub venue. in all honesty in vegan consumes a tiny amount of meat then not the end of the world.:o

[zoefruitcake]

I’m horrified that baked beans can contain whey, there goes the one safe option for me when out and about :0(
Mostly I do ok eating out, being a veggie as well doesn’t help, without even starting to think about things being healthy as well (I’ve been on a diet for 7 years).

[Copper]

LouJ - not all Lactic acid is derived from a dairy source. You would have to contact the company and ask them for clarification.

[paranoidangel]

Oh, I didn't know that lactic acid was something I was supposed to be avoiding!

[tigerlily]

Lou, all GOODIES biscuits contain dairy and some of their bars do too. (All the bars contain Gluten). Some of their crisps/snacks contain dairy too. You really have to read all the labels. The Carrot Sticks and Corn Sticks are all right, though -so are PRINGLES ORIGINAL (snack pack is superhandy!).

Regarding tomato sauce for pasta, I ONLY use PETER RABBIT's, or make my own, for Eden. You could always also use organic tomato soup as a base, provided it's dairy-free, of course!

There are some new BABYLICIOUS TODDLER MEALS out (frozen, TESCO): Tomato Rice and Lancashire HOTPOT, £ 1.60 but a big portion:dairy-, gluten- nut-free. (don't know about soya-free). Very handy for childminder/eating out.

Vanessa.

[Copper]

Before some of you start to panic read this

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lactic_acid#Lactic_acid_in_food

[Lou C]

I think you may be thinking of the "moon biscuits" Vanessa, they do contain dairy, I buy the Gingergread men, animal biscuits and the mini alphabet biscuits (snack packs) these are all dairy free, but do contain gluten and have the standard "made in a factory handling nuts" warning., so they woul;dn't be any good for Eden I'm afraid. I also buy the cereal bars and the carrot sticks and sweetcorn rings. I ALWAYS check labels very carefully when I shop, and if Paul shops I always check before feeding.
We've had the freezer meals and they are just like the food you would make at home, Sainsburies also had some others I think they were called "Daisy something???" and were organic, they were also nice.....must get some more actually, they're much better than the baby jars!

[tigerlily]

Oh, yeah, the Moon Biscuits. Eden never liked the Gingerbread ones when she was still on Gluten. I buy "Dietary Specials" biscuits for her now. Tesco has some, but Goodnessdirect has more. She esp. likes the one kind, like a dairy- and gluten-free Choc. Digestive! It's not bad indeed -I try everything Eden eats, at least once!

Vanessa.

[matt]

i made some wheat/dairy free shortbread the other day and they came out fine. easy to make aswell. damn site cheaper than the stuff in the shops.

doves flour and dairy free spread....yum

[zoefruitcake]

More on the baked beans - I went home and raided my cupboard in a panic, and found that Tesco value and Asda versin of value both appeared to be dairy-free - phew!

[LouJ]

I have found a new idea re eating out - Yo! Sushi!!!

If you can afford it and if there is one nearby (Bluewater is the nearest to us but there are others) it is highly entertaining for toddlers (and all ages including mummies & daddies!) to watch the food roll out along the conveyor belt and almost the entire menu is dairy free.

Head Office have said to avoid the following items: Cheese is present in Smoked Salmon & Cream Cheese Iso and in Sundried Tomato & Cream Cheese Maki (both are marked on the menu); Hand rolls with avocado, squid salad and some other hand rolls contain mayonnaise - egg - but this can be left out on special request; Tamago, Taoyaki and any other food in breadcrumbs should be avoided as they are made from egg or use egg as a binding agent.
They do say to check with staff at the restaurant who should be able to confirm and help with things.

As our son is ok with egg we are very happy with our new found easy dining - but it is not cheap so maybe get an asian cookbook, a lot of asian cookery is dairy free and pretty easy to prepare.

[Caroloujo]

If i go out to restuarnt i always stick to scampi n chips(side salad)....It's not messy to eat either i hate getting in a mess........:)

[caralee]

Hi , My daughter 92 1/2) is allergic to milk, egg, soya and gluten and we have managed to eat out successfully in recent months. I made up a card with a description of her allergies, her age and a list under each of the four headings ie Milk in all forms including cream, yoghurt, lactose, caesinates etc that she has to avoid. On the reverse of the card I have written that she enjoys simple child friendly foods such as boiled and baked potatoes, wheat free chips, rice and rice noodles with a few plain boiled vegetables and plain grilled fish, chicken, ham or bacon (provided free from ingredients listed over leaf. I had this laminated and havent had any communication problems once this has reached the kitchen, and have been invited into a few to read lablels. It seems much kinder to include a 'can have list' aswell as the 'cant have list'. I tend to avoid main chains and go for smaller places that make foods from scratch, and have found many local pubs are more than happy to accomodate such requests, although one chef did comment that he went through alot of foil when he cooks for Willow to minimise the contamination, but no professional kitchen can assure you that pans etc havent been in contact with your allergen. Although when we went to ASK I did take one of her pans and some free from pasta so we could all have spaggetti (this was pre arranged at their suggestion!) Any pub can manage chips and peas with some protein.

Good luck, CARA

[goose]

def coming to stay with you Matt, cooking anything nice for me!!!:rolleyes:

[matt]

that's if i can get my zimmer frame near the cooker!!!

though i suppose i'm not too old for cooking!! LOL:o :lol2: :lol2: :lol2:

[Lan]

Ready meals for you then Matt!!!

:lol2::lol2::lol2::lol2::lol2::lol2:

[matt]

well maybe meals on wheels if you listen to some people!!!!:lol2: :o