Dining – common menu exceptions explained

Check the menu

To make it easier, many restaurants and cafes will specify on their menu which dishes are suitable for certain dietary types. This is often done with notes under suitable menu items, colour codes or symbols. Most chefs are fully aware of the importance and severity of the reactions that can occur and should clearly list on the menu the core ingredients of each dish which contains common allergens such as nuts, sesame seeds or types of seafood. People who suffer from allergies and are exposed can suffer from anaphylactic shock and it is extremely important that they are fully aware of the ingredients in their food. Following is an overview of the most common dietary notes you may find on a menu and what they mean.

Vegetarian

There are many variations of a vegetarian diet. Vegetarians generally avoid all animal products, including meat and seafood. They tend to follow a plant based diet including fruit, vegetables, grains and legumes. A vegetarian may choose to eat dairy products or eggs. Vegetarianism is a diet of choice for moral and ethical reasons or because of taste or preferences. A semi-vegetarian diet consists largely of vegetarian foods, but may include fish or poultry, or other meats on an infrequent basis. More specialised vegetarian diets include the ovo-vegetarian diet which includes eggs but not dairy products. Lacto-vegetarians follow a diet which includes dairy products but not eggs, and ovo-lacto vegetarians follow a diet which includes both eggs and dairy products. A meal that is marked as vegetarian will include no meat or fish but may include milk and dairy products. Depending on which type of vegetarian you are, you may need further clarification on the ingredients that have been used.

Vegan

A vegan diet excludes all animal products, eggs, dairy and honey. This will include various sweets and packaged lollies because some contain animal ingredients. Generally speaking vegans avoid the use of all products tested on animals. If a dish is marked as vegan it will contain no animal products.

Gluten-Free

People who suffer from coeliac disease are sensitive to gluten which is a protein found in wheat, including spelt, rye, barley and sometimes oats. A person who follows a gluten-free diet does so to avoid symptoms such as weight loss or inability to gain weight, fatigue, nausea, anaemia or bowel irritations. A meal on a menu listed as gluten free will not include bread and baked products, pasta, batter, any meat including gluten, or beer.

Lactose Free

To be lactose intolerant means that you have trouble digesting lactose. Lactose is the sugar found in dairy products such as milk and all food made with milk such as butter, cheese, cottage cheese, cream and ice cream and yoghurt. People who suffer from lactose intolerance may display symptoms including acid reflux, bloating, flatulence, abdominal pain or nausea. If a dish is marked as lactose free, it contains no milk or milk-based ingredients.

Kosher

Kosher food is food that conforms to the Jewish religious system and is prepared in accordance with their dietary laws. To prepare kosher food it must be ensured that meat and dairy products are not made or consumed together. If kosher food is processed or cooked together with non-kosher food this makes the meal non-kosher. Restaurant menus will clearly mark dishes that are kosher.

Carefully read menus and don't be afraid to ask the waiter to check with the chef if there are any questions or uncertainty over ingredients in a dish or how it is prepared. If you have specific dietary requirements, consider calling the restaurant or dining venue ahead of time to ensure that any dietary concerns can be easily addressed and everyone can enjoy their meal.