Let's Eat Out!: Your Passport to Living Gluten and Allergy Free

Reviewed by Irene Watson for Reader Views (11/06) According to the authors this is the first book dedicated to eating around the corner and around the world while managing ten food allergies including: corn, dairy, eggs, fish, gluten, peanuts, shellfish, soy, tree nuts and wheat. And, I couldn't agree more. This book is full of extremely important information geared toward the most common food sensitivities. Those of us with food sensitivities know how difficult it can be to eat out in restaurants. The authors of "Let's Eat Out!" simplify the process. For example, the first chapter gives a step-by-step approach to eating outside the home. The first step is education. Koeller and La France insist on education, research, and support groups. Another step is to identify the eating options and preferences with the restaurant. This includes type (family, fast food, carry out,) cuisine (new, familiar) and the most important being to decide to go somewhere new, gluten/allergy friendly, and/or feature allergy-free menus. The question that the authors encourage us to ask ourselves is "How much effort do I want to spend on deciding what to eat at this restaurant?" Being sensitive to specific foods and loving to eat out, personally, I will do what it takes to do the research. "Let's Eat Out!" is the most concise book that I have seen. Not only do the authors lay out the process of obtaining allergy-free foods in a restaurant, they outline seven international cuisines: American, Chinese, French, Indian, Italian, Mexican, and Thai. Each chapter gives an informative overview as well as traditional ingredients, gluten awareness, dining considerations, and a sample menu with ingredients and possible allergens. But, there is more! The authors make it easy for us by giving sample questions to ask, reference guides, meal ideas, breakfast and beverage suggestions, multi-lingual phrases, global airlines meal options, product resources, as well as international organizations. All this information is contained in one book, however, there is even more. Available by the same authors are small, compact booklets that can easily slip into a purse or pocket. Each booklet is a guide in itself that can be referenced while in a restaurant. What can I say? I'm overwhelmed with all the information presented, and extremely grateful that I now have the most informative book in my procession. There is no more second guessing of what ingredients are in specific meals or questioning the wait staff that may or may not know the answers. Koeller and La France have a real winner here. This is a book that will become dog eared in my custody. Needless to say this is the best reference book regarding allergy foods that I have ever seen. There really is no need for any other book.

Expertly co-authored by Kim Koeller, Let's Eat Out!: Your Passport To Living Gluten And Allergy Free is a simply outstanding reference for managing allergies while traveling or simply enjoying the convenience of dining out. Informed and informative, Let's Eat Out! offers readers an exclusive perspective on innovative strategies for pursuit of an allergen filled healthy yet satisfactory diet without the necessity to stay home and avoiding the social atmosphere of the restaurant. Let's Eat Out! is very strongly recommended to everybody with restrictive allergies wishing to engage in restaurant dining with family, friends, or business associates.

This book has been very helpful as a mom of a 2 yr old food allergy child. When my daughter was diagnosed with a couple of severe food allergies and many sensitivies, we had not dined out for a while. This book has helped to truly understand what to look out for and how to manage the eating out process. It's easy to use and I was impressed by the tips and knowledge relating to dealing with the specific top 10 allergens when dining out. Not only does it deal with the 10 allergens but relates them to each of the 7 cuisines such as Indian, American Steak and Seafood, French, etc. giving helpful tips on how allergens may be "hidden" or used in preparation that you would never expect. The book helps you to identify these items and communicate effectively with the restaurant staff. In addition, there is also useful information on safely choosing snacks when you are out, travel, etc. The book has helped me gain confidence in dining out as a family again. The book is a great read for those with celiac, food allergies or even parents of children with food allergies!

"Let's Eat Out!" will make you hungry and give you the power to protect yourself from food allergies at the same time. This series is an amazingly comprehensive guide that is sure to help thousands of people to feel more in control of their lives. Addressing ten food allergens in seven international cuisines was a project that took years of research. The result is an allergy free passport, 496 page, full color book that includes 175+ menu items with descriptions, and preparation questions for you to ask to restaurant staff, and so much more that will give you the inspiration to once again go out to eat. There are snack ideas, beverage categories, quick reference guides and extensive detailed menus to learn about. Knowledge is power and so is asking the right questions. The authors give you the knowledge as well as the right questions to ask in order to protect yourself and/or your loved ones who have food allergies. The book even includes information on 50+ global airlines that offer special meals. The main book is so easy to use with color coded tabs on the chapter pages, making it simple to open up to Indian Cuisine or American Steak and Seafood, among others. Each chapter offers an interesting overview of that culture's cooking habits, which I promise you will make your mouth water. The introduction and first couple of chapters are a step by step guide that will help those who are new to dealing with allergies as well as those who have lived with them for years. Written in layman's terms, you will not need your doctor sitting beside you in the restaurant in order to order! In addition to the main book there are small passports available that are meant to be carried along in the pocket as you explore the world of dining out. Whether you are a world traveler or simply heading into town to sample some various cuisines, these smaller guides are for quick reference. Three of them focus on certain cuisines, while a fourth offers a multi-lingual phrase guide that is dedicated to communicating special dietary needs. This passport provides translations from English to French, German, Italian and Spanish. The series is the first of its kind and promises to enrich the lives of many people. A well-written, professionally researched, gorgeous and sturdy book that is likely to become a common sight in many a restaurant and home. Review by Heather Froeschl.

My Aunt bought me this book at an allergy convetion. I've only had it for a week, but as someone who has recently been diagnosed with Celiac disease, I was happy to find it easy to understand and can imagine it'll be very useful. Thank you for writing a book that someone who is not a doctor can understand.