B1English🍽️

Allergies & Dietary Needs

Use these phrases when you are ordering food at a restaurant and need to explain your dietary needs.

Key Phrases

I have a severe allergy to nuts, so I must avoid them completely.

💡 Use this to warn the staff about serious medical allergies.

Could you please tell me if this dish has any dairy products in it?

💡 Ask this to check for milk, butter, or cheese.

I prefer to eat vegan food, which means I do not consume animal products.

💡 This helps you avoid all meat, fish, dairy, and eggs.

Does this meal contain wheat, because I need to follow a gluten-free diet?

💡 Use this if you cannot eat bread or pasta products.

If I eat shellfish, I will get very sick and need medical help.

💡 This explains the serious danger of eating crabs or shrimp.

Please let me know if the chef can prepare a vegetarian option for me.

💡 Ask this to see if they can serve meat-free meals.

Is there any butter in this soup, or is it cooked with vegetable oil?

💡 Use this to check if the food contains dairy fats.

I have recently decided to avoid sugar, so I want to check the ingredients.

💡 Say this when you want to read the recipe list.

Could we change the sauce to a different one that is safe for me?

💡 Use this to request a simple change to your meal.

If you are not sure about the ingredients, I might choose another dish.

💡 This helps you avoid risks if the server is uncertain.

Practice Dialogue

Customer
Hello, I want to order a meal, but I have a severe allergy to nuts.
Server
We take allergies seriously, so I will tell the kitchen staff to prepare your food carefully.
Customer
Thank you, and could you please tell me if this dish has any dairy products in it?
Server
The sauce contains butter, but we can change the sauce to a different one that is safe.
Customer
That is great, because I have recently decided to avoid all dairy and other animal products.
Server
If you prefer to eat vegan food, I will recommend our delicious vegetable curry instead.
Customer
Does this curry meal contain wheat, because I also need to follow a strict gluten-free diet?
Server
No, it is safe, but I will bring the list of ingredients if you want to check.

More Eating & Drinking Out (B1)

← All English survival phrases