This past Saturday was a major milestone for our family—especially for our daughter, who lives with multiple food allergies. After years of researching fast food and never quite feeling comfortable, we finally took a leap of faith… and stepped into Chipotle.
Now, to be clear, our daughter’s food allergies aren’t simple. She’s allergic to peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, soy, sesame, chia seeds, mustard seeds, and flaxseeds. Fast food has always felt like risky territory for us. But Chipotle caught our attention for one specific reason: transparency. They publicly list all 53 of their ingredients—and only one of them posed a potential issue for her: soybeans.
How We Prepared For Eating Fast Food With Food Allergies
We decided to go right when they opened, around 11 a.m., to minimize the risk of cross-contact. When we arrived, there was just one person seated and eating—perfect timing. We spoke to the staff right away, explained her food allergies, and specifically pointed out our concern with soy. A team member immediately called over the manager, who walked us through the line and showed us which item contained soy (the Sofritas).
There was, understandably, a risk of cross-contamination due to the buffet-style setup. While my daughter’s allergies to soy and egg are still potentially serious, they tend to be less severe reactions for her. Over the years, we’ve learned that we’re comfortable with her eating foods that may have cross-contact with soy or egg—but only after careful consideration. Nuts or seeds, on the other hand, would have been a dealbreaker. Based on our research and the in-person conversation, we felt confident moving forward with the meal.
Our daughter chose to skip the beans (they sit in front of the Sofritas) and went with a burrito filled with rice, steak, and guacamole. We watched closely as they prepared her food, then took it home to eat.
Logic Versus Emotion When It Comes to Food Allergies
She was a bit nervous before taking that first bite—and I completely understood. I reminded her (and myself) that logic had to win over emotion here. We had done our due diligence. We had asked the right questions. And I told her, “How amazing would it feel to find a place where you could go grab lunch with your friends like any other teenager?”
She took the leap.
Yes, it was spicy—hello jalapeños and chipotle chilis!—but she said it was delicious. And more importantly: she felt safe. That one burrito became more than just a meal. It was her first real taste of independence in the food allergy world. And as she prepares to enter high school this fall, this moment feels like the first step toward something much bigger.
Helping Teens with Food Allergies Build Confidence
As a food allergy parent, I’ve been by her side every step of the way—label reading, asking questions, packing meals. But this next phase is about equipping her to take the lead. High school, then college, then life—this is our training ground. And Chipotle? Surprisingly, that’s where it all started.
Our next goal? For her to take the reins next time. The next step in her journey is learning to speak up for herself—asking the questions, explaining her allergies, and navigating the conversation with restaurant staff. I’ll still be there as her safety net for now, but little by little, she’s building the skills to manage her food allergies on her own.
P.S. As I’m sure you can tell, I love talking all things food allergies. If you have any questions, please reach out. I am not only a food allergy mom, but I also specialize in food allergies as a dietitian. Let me help you navigate this world while making sure to get in the right nutrition with as little stress as possible. Book a FREE 15min call here.
