2023 Author: Anita Thornton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-22 03:30
When we know that food allergies affect 7% of Quebec families and more than 40,000 children, it is not surprising that it is difficult, even worrying, to go out to a restaurant with your allergic child. However, it is possible.
“For years, I didn't go out to restaurants with Léa,” says Anne-Marie, mother of a 7-year-old girl with a nut allergy. But I spotted a few restaurants in our neighborhood that are safe… and those are the ones we go to! »
Like Anne-Marie, parents of allergic children will tell you: the best thing is to get information by calling the restaurant before the visit, scrutinizing the menu carefully, asking questions (on the conservation, preparation and cooking of food), to return to establishments identified as safe… and to always carry your auto-injector!
Several children also wear the MedicAlert bracelet, a great tool to raise awareness and warn those around them of the child's allergies.
Where to go?
This Food Allergy Month, here are some options for families with family members who have allergies. This list is only indicative since several restaurateurs admit “not being able to guarantee 100% zero risk” – always check the list of ingredients once there.
Quebec
Cosmos: Since 2010, in collaboration with Hypo Délices, the four Cosmos restaurants (Quebec, Sainte-Foy, Lévis and Lebourgneuf) offer an allergen-free and gluten menu.
Trois-Rivières
Café Frida: New vegan café (and the only one in Mauricie) that guarantees dishes without gluten or dairy products.
Sherbrooke
Several cafés, bistros and restaurants, including Auguste and Café Créatif au Sketch are listed here.
Across Quebec
Pacini: This chain offers allergen-free meals prepared, packaged and sealed by the company Aliments Ange-Gardien.
Boston Pizza: Here too, it is possible to consult all the inutritional information of the products contained in the dishes. Informed choice and gluten-free options are also available.
Mikes: The list of the main allergens that may be contained in dishes is online.
Sports cage: Here, a color code (green=allergen free) is used to indicate which dishes are recommended.
Ottavio: Here is another restaurant chain that displays its policy (accommodating people with allergies) online.
Saint-Hubert: The chain's rotisseries display the list of allergenic i ingredients, without guaranteeing that cross contamination is impossible (on the supplier's side, for examples).
