Lea how to respond to special diets and food allergies in English, using polite and safe restaurant language.
Lea how to respond to special diets and food allergies in English, using polite and safe restaurant language.
EN: 🥗 In this lesson, you’ll lea how to talk about food allergies and dietary needs, and how to respond safely and respectfully to guests.
ES: 🥗 En esta lección aprenderás a hablar sobre alergias alimentarias y necesidades dietéticas, y cómo responder de forma segura y respetuosa a los clientes.
🎧 Audio explicativo
[Tablero] Grammar Focus: Can / Can’t / Must / Mustn’t
- I can eat vegetables. → Allowed
- I can’t have dairy. → Restricted
- You must check with the chef. → Obligation
- You mustn’t mix allergens. → Strong prohibition
Guest: Hello. I have a severe peanut allergy. Could you tell me if any dishes contain peanuts?
Waiter: Absolutely. Let me check with the kitchen right away to make sure.
Guest: Thank you. I also prefer dairy-free meals. Do you have options for that?
Waiter: Yes, we do. Our grilled vegetable bowl is 100% vegan and dairy-free.
Guest: That sounds great. But I’m very sensitive — is there any risk of cross-contamination?
Waiter: I understand. I’ll speak with the chef and ensure your meal is prepared separately.
Guest: I really appreciate your help. It’s hard to eat out sometimes.
Waiter: You’re very welcome. We take allergies seriously and want you to feel safe here.
Guest: Perfect. I’ll have the vegetable bowl, please.
Waiter: Great choice! I’ll place the order and double-check everything with the kitchen.
🗣️ Useful Phrases
- Do you have any allergies?
- Is there anything you can’t eat?
- This dish is dairy-free and gluten-free.
- I’ll check with the kitchen to confirm.
- We take allergies very seriously.
🗣️ Useful Vocabulary
| British English | American English | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| allergy | allergy | Physical reaction to certain foods or ingredients. |
| nuts | nuts | Common allergen like peanuts, almonds, etc. |
| gluten | gluten | Protein found in wheat; avoided in gluten-free diets. |
| lactose | lactose | Sugar found in milk; avoided in lactose-free diets. |
| dairy | dairy | Milk-based products (milk, cheese, butter, etc.). |
| vegan | vegan | Food without any animal products. |
| vegetarian | vegetarian | No meat, but may include dairy or eggs. |
| gluten-free | gluten-free | Food that does not contain gluten. |
| lactose-free | lactose-free | Food that does not contain lactose. |
| cross-contamination | cross-contamination | Unwanted transfer of allergens. |
| safe | safe | Not dangerous for the guest to eat. |
| intolerance | intolerance | Sensitivity to a certain food, not an allergy. |
| ingredient | ingredient | Item used to prepare a dish. |
| check with the kitchen | check with the kitchen | Ask the chef for confirmation. |
| special diet | special diet | A way of eating due to health, religion, or personal reasons. |
EN: 🛡️ Great! You now know how to handle dietary needs and allergies carefully and respectfully in English.
ES: 🛡️ ¡Muy bien! Ahora sabes cómo tratar alergias y necesidades dietéticas con cuidado y respeto en inglés.
🎯 Match the Phrases
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Vegan | a. No animal products |
| Gluten-free | b. No wheat protein |
| Dairy-free | c. No milk products |
| Cross-contamination | d. Unintended allergen exposure |
⚡ Quick Check Quiz
- What does “lactose-free” mean?
- a) No sugar
- b) No milk sugar
- c) No salt
- What should you do if a guest has an allergy?
- a) Ignore it
- b) Guess the ingredients
- c) Check with the kitchen
🌍 Cultural Tip
EN: In English-speaking countries, restaurants are expected to take allergies very seriously. Staff should always confirm with the kitchen before serving food.
ES: En los países angloparlantes, se espera que los restaurantes tomen muy en serio las alergias. El personal debe confirmar con cocina antes de servir.