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oil. She was able to have the french fries. We asked them to grill her chicken instead of the kid-menu chicken fingers and instead of ice cream, we asked them to give her fresh fruit but only pineapples, apples,and grapes. They willingly obliged us!

Other places that have been willing to go off menu have all been independent restaurants. I love Kaldi's Coffee Shop in Kirkwood MO. They have a kid-menu that includes everything she is allergic to. They willingly gave her a substitute lunch of organic apple juice and a fruit/veggie tray with diced apples, carrots, and grapes. She was able to enjoy a treat out for lunch and still get the fun toy!

My husband loves Asian food. This can be a major issue for us because they tend to use soy (tofu is soy) or peanut oil. We are able to let our daughter enjoy this weekly treat by ordering white steamed rice which she loves with a little sugar. We also order the vegetables steamed without the sauce. She loves it! She sometimes looks longingly at the crab ragoon that her brother loves but has learned to enjoy rice crackers that we substitute.

Other places we enjoy for their fresh food or willingness to go "off menu" include Allendale's in Kirkwood, First Watch, Brio's, and Crazy Bowls & Wraps. Crazy Bowls & Wraps is probably one of our favorite "fast food" places because they steam the rice and vegetables and can withhold the sauce on any of the chicken. We also do without the endame since these are soy beans.

Eating out with a food-allergic child can still be enjoyable for all the family. The thing to do is stress the enjoyment and relaxation and not the food. Another thing to do is be prepared because restaurants sometimes change ingredients. I let my daughter pack her own "goodie bag" of things we know she can eat. We carry this with us, like a recent trip to the St. Louis Zoo, and she is still able to enjoy the fellowship!

Whole Foods Market always has eat-out-ready foods that an allergic child can pick up and have on hand as "restaurant treats" for those evenings out. We particularly like the Enjoy Life brand of allergic free baked goods. These cookies avoid all the big eight allergens of soy-milk-eggs-wheat-peanuts-tr eenuts-fish-shellfish and make all their products in allergen-free facilities! We also love to get their soda and enjoy the organic juice boxes for field trips.

Your child can have fun and you all can celebrate with a little planning. Don't be afraid to ask the waiter/waitress - they can always do something a little different and not charge you any more than the regular kids meals! Visit the Food Allergy and Analphylaxis Network website for updates on the major food allergies, what additives contain those foods, and under what other names those foods exist. This will help you when reading the menu or talking to the waiter.

Last thing, Have fun! It's not the end-of-the-world! Your child will take you to a journey to discover new foods, new restaurants, and new memories!

Tips:
1. Always, always carry the EpiPen or other rescue medicine
2. Always carry or have a mental list of the most severe allergies
3. Always bring a goody bag with things they can eat just in case
4. Always identify the bathroom if an allergic reaction comes quickly like EG kids
5. Always keep a list of the places in town that prepare fresh, additive food
6. Always ask the waiter or waitress of the additives in the food especially with sauces
7. Always remember it is time to have fun and with planning isn't anxiety-filled
8. Always check with http://www.faan.org to learn more about food allergies

Bon appetit!

Learn more about this author, Taye Foster Bradshaw.
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