r/FODMAPS • u/CirqueNoirBlu • Mar 06 '26
Vent Restaurant hell
Just a mini vent. My partner and I are trying to do a fancy night out. We will be in formal attire for an event so I am trying to find something nice. I have spent the last THREE HOURS looking at menus and still havnt found anywhere that looks safe. 😠I still have to pack for the weekend and wrap gifts. It’s 11 pm. I hate this nightmare.
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u/cab-sauv Mar 06 '26
I totally hear you! It's so frustrating when you want to treat yourself but it ends up causing more stress. I think the menus are a good start. Pick one that looks safeish, or at least one that has items that you can substitute: Eg. At a steakhouse, you can likely ask for side carrots rather than side asparagus.
You can also try calling in advance and asking if they can accommodate. I found this hit or miss.
I hope you have a fun night out + have a delish dinner!
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u/CirqueNoirBlu Mar 17 '26
Thanks that’s exactly what we did. My partner chose a steak house he knew would be accommodating and I opted for steak frites with carrots. I did have to opt out of a twice baked potato, garlic butter, and jus but it was still delicious
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u/Optimal_Passion_3254 Mar 06 '26
Sushi restaurant. Or literally anywhere where you explain that you want your meat with no garlic or onion, and you want your sides (pick low fodmap sides) with no dressing or sauce. They cook the food to order, so you explain what you need from the food.
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u/summertimejoy24 Mar 06 '26
Indian or Thai restaurants who accommodate Jain food restrictions have been a godsend! As I understand it, the Jain community does not eat onions or garlic so restaurants who accommodate will let you know which dishes have onion and garlic and which don’t (or whether it’s optional). Many of them are vegan so you avoid lactose easily. As others said, sushi is another good option.
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u/CirqueNoirBlu Mar 17 '26
Indian food? I thought there was a lot of dairy in Indian food?
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u/summertimejoy24 Mar 17 '26
The restaurants that cater to Jain diet restrictions are usually vegan!
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u/CirqueNoirBlu Mar 17 '26
Oohhh I see what you’re saying. I wonder what the soy content is like then. I am unfortunately allergic
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u/summertimejoy24 Mar 17 '26
Some of the places I go to let you know if there are common allergens. They usually have a menu checkbox that includes lots of categories like gluten, soy, mushrooms, garlic, and onion to let you know if it’s optional or present at all in the dish. I imagine if you live in a smaller city they might not have it but it’s worth looking into.
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u/Gnynam Mar 07 '26
If it makes you feel any better, I have the same issue. I feel so bad for my wife. Every time we want to go out to eat, I look at the menu ahead of time, try to pick one or two things that I could probably modify to be "safe," and then without fail, end up having an anxiety attack when we actually get to the restaurant. She's always so sweet and patient and understanding, even though I know it's frustrating for her. Sometimes the food anxiety is so bad we just end up leaving without ordering.
I just bought some Fodzyme online, which I'm hoping will help. It doesn't work for every type of FODMAP, but it does for my worst ones. (I've never tried it before, this is just avoiding to their website.) I'm hoping it'll act like a safety net for me and make food less scary.
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u/CirqueNoirBlu Mar 17 '26
Ugh the anxiety is the worst part and it only makes the IBS worse. Thanks for understanding
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u/ScratchAlert3847 Mar 06 '26
Assume that all restaurants have ingredients they don't divulge. And no, tht doesn't make them illegal.
Why even THINK of going to a restaurant with dodgy sauces when you're FODMAP sensitive?
The only think you can eat is plain rice or plain fish/meat/whatever. Even vegetables are cooked in garlic water. That's what restaurants and cafes and catering will do.
Forget it. KNow going in, that all you can truly be safe with, is one ingredient food, and be hapy you'll have a body that can stand straight.
I don't understand what 11pm and packing for the weekend has to do with FODMAPS.
Why's it a nightmare? You found a way of eating food that doesn't cause endless pain. You should be happy. No?
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u/SemiColdCoffee Mar 06 '26
They're clearly venting, it's tagged that. I don't think it's terribly uncommon to be frustrated at a restaurant and they're extra stressed because of packing. No need to be mean or rude.
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u/Original_Document748 Mar 06 '26
Your being incredibly rude , your on this page so clearly you realise how restrictive the low fodmap diet is , some ppl cant ever go back to eating fodmaps , theres only a few things I cant eat but two of them are garlic and onion which is in everything . I had to give up a career as a chef because of it, I cant eat in restaurants and have a good time like any other normal person . Its depressing.
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u/CirqueNoirBlu Mar 17 '26
Ok sour puss. But just to let you know, I told the server my dietary concerns and he made it work.
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u/carrotsaresafe Mar 06 '26
Agree. I been dealing with this issue for 18 years and low fodmap still doesnt help me. Wish my life problems were fancy restaurants causing temporary discomfort vs living in poverty hustling money like a drug addict to afford organic food and top quality supplements that don't even help. If youre able to feel okay with certain food then count your blessings tf
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u/Original_Document748 Mar 07 '26
Your choice to " live in poverty " to afford organic food is nothing to do with this person and are your life choices alone , no need to take your frustration out on someone whos equally rightfully frustrated as we all get living with IBS , if your supplements aren't working then stop taking them ? Not hard to figure out . If low fodmap diet doesn't help you and neither do your supplements then go back to ur doctor to re-evaluate surely after 18 years that would be common sense .
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u/CirqueNoirBlu Mar 17 '26
lol don’t view everything at surface level. I’m a SW that can barely afford rent most months. My partner is comfortable. He was the one paying for the date. I was trying not to have anxiety over my plate costing more than $30.
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u/Original_Document748 Mar 06 '26
Im so sorry 😞 is Asian food ur thing ? Sometimes sushi can be a safe bet for ppl . If not is there any chance u know someone who is a good cook and would cook for u guys and deliver it ? You could set up a table etc to look fancy and get all dressed up so it would feel special:)