Can you enjoy fast food with allergies?

Food labelling has come on leaps and bounds over the years, and although vague ‘may contain’ warnings can be very frustrating, at least it’s better than not being warned at all. So what are our restaurants and fast food chains doing about this? Have you ever seen a menu in a restaurant that listed the allergens in each meal? There are very few who offer this, and it isn’t currently law that restaurants have to declare allergens in their foods. Most restaurants are really helpful and will advise you what is safe and what to avoid, but it can be really difficult, and scary eating out. I’ve had my fair share of sleepless nights and allergic reactions after eating what I thought was a safe meal. Sounds simple doesn’t it, but few stand out from the crowd by making their menu’s more allergy friendly.

Interestingly the fast food companies are streets ahead. Many of them have detailed menu’s stating exactly what’s in each meal. Refreshing to say the least, and due partly to the scrutiny their food sourcing and ethics have come under in recent years. They have had to clean up their act, telling us exactly where all their meat and other ingredients are from. Most now source the majority of their ingredients from the UK, and lots are giving us allergy sufferers fantastic detail into the ingredients they use. Having to ask whether foods contain a long list of allergens when you eat out can be embarrassing and demoralising. With careful planning, and always still checking each time, people with allergies can enjoy fast food every now again. You don’t believe me? Here’s some more information, in alphabetical order to avoid favouritism:

• Burger King – Their hash browns and breakfast butties and baps are dairy free – such a treat for me to have something like this; if you have plain bacon bap you should be safe. The Piri-Piri Chicken Sandwich is dairy and celery free. From the kids menu, the Char-Grilled Chicken Fillet Strips are gluten and dairy free, and amazingly the BK Fresh Apple Fries are also gluten and dairy free. Burger King has an online page specifically for nutrition and allergens. Download their nutrition booklet here.
• Fish and Chips – Fish and chips can also be an option, although bear in mind that everything is fried in the same oil, so if you are really sensitive this might not be a good idea. Few fish and chip shops use nut or ground nut oil these days but some used to so always check this if you have a nut allergy. My local fish and chip shop do fish in ‘rice cones’, which is an alternative coating to the normal batter; it’s dairy free, better for you and very tasty. Not all chip shops will offer this but it’s worth asking next time you visit your local; if enough people ask they’ll have to start thinking about it.
• McDonalds – I recently came unstuck when I had a McDonalds breakfast. NEVER trust what the server says. I ordered the bacon roll with hash brown and a large coffee, after first asking if it was dairy free. She told me it was. The hash brown is dairy free, but the bacon roll bread contains skimmed milk powder. I was lucky that it didn’t contain much, quickly had some antihistamines and stopped eating it as soon as my throat and lips started to itch and tingle, but I suffered the next day with itchy, runny eyes, streaming nose, and red, raised and swollen skin like it was burnt. Very attractive! McDonalds should train their staff in the importance of accurate guidance when customers ask – just because it looks like ‘just bread’, doesn’t mean it is ‘just bread’ with nothing else hidden. McDonalds have a website with details and in-depth ingredients lists so check it out online before eating there, or ask in the restaurant for a copy. Download it here: McDonalds nutrition and allergy information
• Nandos – I’ve eaten at Nando’s quite a few times and never had any allergic reactions – the staff are always really helpful. I’ve stuck to the plain chicken and chips, with sweetcorn and never been disappointed. I visited their website to see if they have a list of the allergens in each of their dishes and they provide the following statement: “At Nando’s we work tirelessly to ensure we serve products as advertised. However, if you suffer from any food allergies please inform the manager on duty before ordering your food; this will allow the manager to take every care to guarantee there is no possible cross-contamination with any ingredients that you can’t eat. The manager in the restaurant can also provide you with a food specification folder that lists the exact ingredients of each item we sell.” I’ll be taking a look at this next time I visit and will let you know if there’s anything interesting.
• Wimpy – I recently enjoyed an All Day Breakfast at Wimpy, safe in the knowledge that it did not contain any dairy. The hash browns are gluten and dairy free – WOW! Their buns don’t contain any dairy so are safe, as long as you don’t have anything with cheese. The Gourmet Chicken and Scampi is also dairy free; I’ll be trying them out next time I visit. .
• Weatherspoons – Way ahead of most of their contemporaries in the pub industry, their in depth menu shows what every dish contains and covers most allergens, but not the smaller odder ones like tomato, celery, mustard etc. However it is in such small print you need a magnifying glass to read and trace across to the allergen information, better than nothing though and top marks to Weatherspoons for providing this. I noticed the Scampi is dairy free, and they do a selection of Currys, samosas and poppadums which all seem to be free from dairy too. The poppadums and bombay potatoes were also gluten free. You can find out exactly what meals are suitable for you online; mark your requirements by ticking boxes and you will then get a list of what’s safe for you.
• Pizza Express – Always a safe option for me, I can have some of the salads, the gluten free dough balls are also dairy free, and I recently had the gluten free pizza base with vegan cheese. Be very careful when ordering and make sure you do get the right thing. The gluten free pizza is very tiny so just be warned, you might need a side salad and a pudding and a coffee to fill you up.

Beware of deep-fried chips – possible cross contamination

The chips at most of the above were listed as gluten free, but may be fried in the same oil as some of the other products so it’s worth checking if you’re really sensitive. Only Burger King pointed this out as a possible cause of cross contamination on their nutrition information. I usually always go for chips as a safe option when I’m out but they can also be coated in something so always check.

Finding your safe places on a night out

I’m not suggesting we all rush out and dine on a diet of fast food, but sometimes it’s nice not to have to bother cooking. You can often find yourself with only fast food chains available, late at night or in a strange town. Coeliacs and those with wheat allergies will find it extra tough; there isn’t much at any of the above that’s safe, but they are trying, and if more of us ask in the restaurant what allergens are in different foods they may bring on other lines. If you have kids with allergies they may will be able to go out with their friends for the odd treat if they’re careful, and not feel alienated, having to bring along their own food all the time.

Play it safe and carry the kit

Always, always play it safe though. Never go out without your EpiPen, Action plan, Antihistamines, inhaler and medicalert bracelet, and always always check when you order in case recipes have changed. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.

Have you tried any of the outlets I’ve discussed above? Do you ever eat fast food as an allergy sufferer? Were you surprised that there are things you can eat? Please tell me what you think. I’ve love to hear your comments.

You may also enjoy reading:

• Allergy Companions – The Trip Advisor for people with allergies
• Get 10% off Equal Eats – Eating out Dietary Food Allergen Cards
• Are Allergen Menu choices shrinking?