Safara Fisher

We all like to head out for a nice meal at a restaurant when we get the chance. It is often a break from having to cook and or a delightful way to spend some time with the one you love without having to worry about cleaning up!

Either way, going out to a restaurant can be a bit daunting for those of us who seek to appease our belly while enjoying a nice meal.  We often find ourselves sitting at the table, looking over the menu and panicking about what may or may not aggravate our systems.  We look for options that read they are without this or that and can be easily digested, looking for key terms or descriptions to put our minds at ease.  Sometimes when we are really daring we go for something we don’t usually eat, hoping and praying that we will find ourselves at the end of the meal glad we took the plunge!

But ordering does not need to be such a game of chance.  What I have discovered in my outings to restaurants is the power of being forthright.  When we act as our own advocates for what we need, regardless of the situation, we usually will find ourselves receiving what is right for us.  This applies to ordering to food as much as it does to any other area of our life.  Being conscious of what we need, how our body feels and our state of mind is the beginning to creating an enjoyable mealtime experience.

This might take the form of speaking to the waiter very clearly and directly about what you can and can not tolerate for your belly.  Ask yourself a series of questions while browsing the menu in preparation for the waiter to take your order such as:

• What are the seasonings that aggravate you and what would you need to avoid at all costs?
• Do you have aversions to dairy products, soy, gluten or other potential irritants that you would like to make sure are not included in your meal?
• What manner of preparation would you prefer the cook utilize to prepare the dish? (steamed, sauteed, grilled)
• What condiments would you like served on the side or in addition to your meal?

Taking time to answer these questions and thoughtfully present them to your waiter can help to give you peace of mind when ordering your food.  The key is to be clear and honest about your needs and ask the questions that will allow you to make a good choice in honor of your belly.  Pay attention to yourself and give your belly the voice it needs to enjoy the meal together.

Share your tips for ordering at a restaurant with us.