Navigating Restaurant Menus

I love to go out for dinner. I love socializing and having a great time, enjoying food I didn't have to think about or prepare. My husband barely tolerates the activity. I understand his view though, as it can be downright horrid to try to cobble something we feel we can eat from most restaurant menus. Case in point: Last night my Mother organized a family dinner. I, of course, agreed to go immediately. It has been months since I've seen everyone all together. The restaurant of choice: Red Robin. Not my favorite, for sure, but I knew it would please everyone.

So what did I do? Red Robin is a burger joint. I know that, heck, everyone knows that. Burgers = Gluten + Dairy + Meat. So how did I eat green and clean there? How do you?

1. Let go. Do the best you can, knowing you won't ever know everything that was put into each item. 
2. Do your homework. Look up their menu online, and took a look at their allergen information. You can do this for most big, chain restaurants. For smaller ones, take a look at their online menu anyway.
3. Watch for key words. For me they are: Buttery, creamy, cheesy, or the item description has ingredient that is meat, wheat, or dairy. 
4. Pick your best option. This will be different for everyone. Pick what sounds healthiest and tastiest to you. Stay away from your key words as best you can, but make it something you like to eat.
5. Order it how you want it. While you may get more than one funny look, order the item your way. Most restaurants are happy to make you happy. 

Use these 5 simple steps and you'll navigate most restaurant menus. Granted, some will be easier than others. Last night, I ended up with a Garden Fresh Hummus Plate (no bread) and a Avo-Cobb-o Salad (No meat or cheese) which I used salsa for the dressing. Yes, I ate fries, dipped in BBQ Sauce (probably not gluten-free), ketchup, salsa, balsamic dressing, or hummus (we had a whole sauce station going). Did I get some gluten, probably. Did I get some weird additives, HFCS's, and other junk, definitely. Did I have a good time, oh yes. Though next time, we are grilling in our backyard.

Until next time...

- Melissa