Whole30 Guide to Eating Out

It’s going to happen and it should. There will come a time when eating out is unavoidable. After being a bit of a Whole30 hermit early on in your journey, you’re ready to test your new-found knowledge in the “real world”. By following just a few simple rules and tips you will be just as successful outside the comfort of your own home. 

1. Planning + preparation = Success. This is an equation I have preached since your Whole30 began. If you have the knowledge use it. If you know where you’re going to be eating look up the menu ahead of time. Most restaurants have online menus and if that doesn’t give you all the answers you need, place a call to the restaurant. This avoids an “awkward” situation when ordering in front of friends and family. I know, sometimes you have to be THAT person and it’s easier to do that over the phone in a private conversation than it is when trying to explain to your waiter that you can’t have bread or butter. Once you’re armed with the info you arrive at the table as a confident and prepared customer. 
2. Pack emergency snacks and salad dressings - Sometimes you don’t know where you are going until the last minute. You get to the restaurant and a glazed look of panic comes over your face when you realize nothing on the menu appears to be compliant. You’re just staring at a list of sauces and creams and fried foods. Usually you can always put together some kind of salad with a protein. Oil and vinegar or plain balsamic is your backup for sugary dressings. Salad dressing packets are a life-saver if you want something more in the dressing department. You can also have an emergency snack on hand in case what you end up ordering and eating doesn’t fill you up. 
3. Know ways to order around Whole30 - Burgers are easy. Just get without the bun over a bed of lettuce. Lots of times you can order fish just dry or cooked in olive oil without buttery or sugary sauces. It’s easy to ask for a baked potato with no butter or plain sweet potato. Understand that sauces usually have some dairy and sugar. You can usually ask the server what oil the kitchen cooks in or if there is butter used. For instance, on the surface Outback looks like it has some compliant choices. You order the Victoria Filet with steamed vegetables. Suddenly you realize when it gets there it is covered in butter. So I would always try to ask. Restaurants are used to dealing with food intolerances so don’t be ashamed of your ask.  
4. Fast Food Choices Do Exist - Not all fast food restaurants are created equal. If you’re going to McDonalds you will probably struggle a bit to find a compliant food. Again, the salads are a go-to but lots of times they are pre-made with things you can’t have. Chipotle and Zoe’s are two big Whole30 approved restaurants. The catch here is usually in the store they don’t show a Whole30 approved item and sometimes the workers don’t know. The apps do label which menu items are approved. These are great fast food chains to have nearby as go-to in a pinch. It gives you peace of mind knowing they are an approved restaurant without having to try to concoct your own creation. 
5. Do your best to suggest the restaurants - sometimes you don’t have a say in where you go. I totally get it. But if you do, steer the dinner or lunch to a restaurant you already know well and know that you can eat a Whole30 meal at. Let people know that this restaurant will have great choices for everyone.
6. Don’t talk about what you can’t eat - you’ve crossed a barrier. You have made it out, asked your questions, and ordered confidently. Now don’t spend the rest of the meal talking about foods that others are eating that you wish you could have. You don’t need to profess your love for bread or that you miss that fettuccine alfredo. Quite frankly, you don’t owe anyone at the table an explanation about why you ordered what you did. Maybe they are curious while you’re ordering and maybe they will ask but it’s up to you to broach the subject. It’s your choice. If they ask and you choose to tell them about your Whole30 journey keep it focused on what you can eat and all the delicious foods you have discovered. 

Follow these suggestions and you can eat out, have fun, and Whole30.