A thread on one my facebook groups has created some drama and sparked my writers block.
It seems expectations of eating out with diet restrictions have drastically changed over the years. Many question the rolls and responsibility of corporate restaurant changes when it comes to catering to the restrictions of the partons.
Where I was raised with the notion that If I could not eat off the menu, or could not be accommodated then we simply changed where we were going out to eat. Now a days it seems many PKU families bring their own food or ask the chef to prepare a low protein option. With so much focus on healthy eating, diet restrictions and things like gluten free options and clean eating , how much responsibility is held by the restaurant vs the people?
It seems the normal expectation in society is that it is the restaurant’s job to accommodate. I have very mixed thoughts on this and thought I would share.
These are my own opions are not a reflection on anyone else and not an attack on anyones parenting or how they rasie their PKU Children.
I was raised to believe that ordering off menu meals was rude and insulting to the chef. When you go outto eat you are choosing the place you wish to eat based on what you know about it, previous experiance or the reputation. You are going out to enjoy a meal prepared for you and for something diffrent. Usually for a special occasion too.
I was always taught that with my PKU I had to be careful of what my options where and ask the protein content if I did not know it. When I was younger we would call a head and ask if they served mashed potatoes or vegetables and what they where made with. Then we would look up the phe amounts before going. Now if you have a smart phone you can do so in real time. When we ate out for breakfast I would be fine with either toast and jam or a side of shredded hash browns and an apple juice. This was very easy to do at places like Dennys and or white spot. Nowadays I really enjoy Coras as they have so much fresh fruit and toast. Even though toast is higher I would accomodate for it in my day .
Lunch is als pretty easy when eating out. Most fast food places, and many pubs and family spot will offer a garden salad and fries or sweet potato fries. Though I know longer eat at fast food places, I remember as a kid going to Mcdonalds and my mom would count out my fries and I was aloud 10 fries and a salad.
I have dinner down to a science. ” I will have a side of mashed potatoes, seasonal vegetables, no gravy,plate margarine is fine, and can I get that all on one plate instead of 2 side plates?” When I count I count the potatoes a bit higher then what is listed to accommodate for any milk products.
I haven ever asked a restaurant to cook my own low protein food or brought my own food with me. To me that teaches one self to be entitled. It also brings more attention then needed. Asa child I would have been embarrassed to cause such a fuss. It would make me feel different and shining a big spotlight on me.
I felt much more special when I could find something on the menu that I could have. It made me feel special and excited to feel some what “normal” .
Restaurants that have things I can order are my favorite places to eat and I can going to return again and again. If I cant eat their then i am simply going to go somewhere else.
When I am invited out to dinner with friends and family I call the place a head of time and ask them to see a menu . This way I am not asking the host or my friend who may not know and not inconvenience them on their birthday or special occasion. and the majority of the time I can find something to order, If not I eat a head of time and just order a drink . Then I simply do not go back. Now my close family and friends know me well enough that they ask me first what places i can eat at at and we choose somewhere together from that list.
Eating out does not have to be such a hassle. It is a luxury for enjoyment and a choice we make. It is not a necessity. I do not expect special treatment. am i sometimes annoyed by the accommodations and options for those who chose to eat gluten free, yes. Do i wish I had more options and choices yes. But I do not let it take away from my experience and the social of eating out with friends. It does not effect my day to day life. It does not have a direct impact on my diet, my self esteem me health or my PHE levels. It is simply a social activity I enjoy from time to time and wish other could do the same.
When did we all become so entitled? In today’s society we should be more thankful for the changes and choices to restaurant eating and celebrate the small victories like being able to find something that already compliments my diet.
Again this is just my opinion. I am not a PKU parent, I am adult with PKU . I have lived this life and these experiences. This is from my point of view from what I have learned and lived over the years.
PKU has never taken away from my experiance or stopped me form enjoying a meal out. It does not have to do the same for anyone else.
Not to mention the violations and suits a restaurant could face by preparing food not from their own menu. It i snot always their choice and they must follow the law, permits, and have license to protect. There are to many variables on what could go wrong when a chef is working with unfamiliar food products. It is unfair to expect that of them. Or to put that situation on them. Please consider them and their business when making your decisions and expectations.
I am PKU Strong 