CMP and Egg allergy - we ate out for the first time!

[harverina]

Hi all,
My DD is 15 months with a CMP and egg allergy. She had a severe reaction at 6 months old after she tried yogurt for the first time, but has not had a reaction since apart from little spots if, for example, we are in a coffee shop and she touches a table where milk may have been spilt. My DH and I are pretty careful about food prep and give her piriton if we ever think that she has had a reaction - Im a bit embarassed to say that probably on most of these occasions my DD has been ok and we are just mega paranoid.

Anyway, to cut a long story short, tonight, for the very first time, I ordered off of a childs menu in a restaurant for my DD. We were at the seaside today and had been a little unprepared as we decided to stay out for tea at the last minute. We went to a restaurant that sells traditional italian/scottish food - sounds awful, but it is kind of like a very fancy chip shop! Anyway we told the waitress about my DD's allergies and she came back and told us that the sausage and chips were the only option for my DD. I have always been worried about cross contamination ect but we decided to go for it. My DD ate hundreds of her meal and loved it. She even had an adults plate and did fab! I was so happy - it was so much easier than organising dinner beforehand. I know its not hard to pack a dinner in advance but it was so nice to be able to order for my DD for a change. I kept a close eye on my DD and she seemed fine.

Just wanted to tell my story as I am so delighted tonight. I know its probably not that big a deal, but it feels like it is!

I also wanted to hear other mums experiences of eating out with children with allergies - do you do it or just totally avoid it?

Thanks in advance :)

That's fantastic harverina! My son is allergic to milk, egg, wheat and nuts and I have to say that I hardly ever order food for him when we're out other than the occasional plain salad (and even then I worry!) but we did recently go to Harvester and he had the kids' steak with wedges and beans - amazing! Most of the time I'm just too scared about cross-contamination or general lack of understanding/awareness. Plus of course there is often nothing on the menu he can have anyway :( so we generally take food with us wherever we go. No spontaneity for us! Maybe as he gets older I'll get braver and not feel like I'm being a nuisance...

Thanks! Your right babybarrister, its prob better that my D gets used to the risks of eating out now...although I am hoping that she will grow out of her allergies but I know that there are no guarantees :(

freefrommum I understand how you feel, although you have alot more allergies to contend with so it must be even scarier for you. We have been told to avoid nuts too by the consultant as apparantly milk and nut allergies are closely linked.

Tonight my DD had a hotdog from ikea, without the bun and she loved it! I was feeling brave after the success of last night! Then I felt a bit bad that she had been so unhealthy the past few days and came home and gave her broccoli which luckily is her favourite!

Thanks agai :)

My 3 yr old ds has cmp & egg allergy as well & I am paranoid to eat out with him. Also can't be bothered with the hassle of explaining to waiter what we need. haven't had great experiences in the restaurants we have been in as made to feel like a pain. His reactions would bring him out in hives & if I knew that was all was going to happen to him I wouldn't panic so much. Does anyone know if I am being over cautious to worry about what else has been fried in the oil if I order chips for him?

i'm so glad for you OP :)

we have CMP and egg intolerances here, so it's not quite so nerve-wracking eating out as we know the result of any cross contamination will only be a bad tummy and eczema flare-up and red cheeks. but it's SO hard (esp as we are also vegetarian)

it's great when you find somewhere that is really willing to help and that you feel you can trust

Love this thread -- glad (though also sorry) to know others go through the same! My DS allergic to egg, wheat and CMP (like yours, freefrom) so we tend to make a beeline for anywhere that will do baked potato and beans. So far all ok, though feel guilty for scaring the staff into making sure they don't put butter on anything.

clara I hadn't even thought if that...my dd has had chips quite a lot off my plate when we have been out, now that's got me wondering about the oil! I'd be interested to hear what others say.

I don't let my DS have chips unless the restaurant can guarantee that nothing else has been fried in the same oil. Lots of places use same oil for stuff in batter and breadcrumbs so good chance of cross-contamination. McDonald's chips are ok though ;)

freefrommum, I havent asked at Mcdonalds but my DD loves them so thats really good to know!

Freefrommum, good to know I'm not being ott about the chips! My ds can eat in mcdonalds which is good if out & about as know I can always get him something. My local fish & chip shop is good too. Nothing healthy but at least ds can get as a treat along with the rest of us. It makes me mad in restaurants as i dont see why a chef cant put clean oil in a saucepan & make chips. Ime the waiter just comes back from kitchen & says the oil used for other things & don't offer any kind of alternative. Have you any experience of eating in other large chains such as TGIs?

Freefrommum - we've just started taking DD (3) out as well! The local pub uses sausages from the local butcher which we know are OK, and are good at reassuring us that the chips are fried alone etc.

I did actually shed a small tear after the first lunch, I was so happy. And she doesn't mind having sausages and chips every single time either (well, what child would?!).

Hooray for chips!

I agree, hoorah for chips haha! They are a lifesaver in some tricky situations!

Some chip shops (Rick Stein's in Padstow, the Southwold Pier restaurant/cafe and the nicest one in Whitby, off the top of my head) will do GF days or meals if you order in advance. DSis had GF fish and chips (was v nice - stole some) in Southwold. The other places advertise that if you call in advance they will fry separately and use (IIRC) a different coating [hsmile]