There’s a fine line between healthy and high-maintenance.
Between intolerant and ignorant.
Between picky and pain-in-my-butt.
I love working at The Crest. Today some one asked me what a lentil was. Her neighbor told her it was a vegetable. I died a little. I bit my tongue.
We have an incredibly unique menu featuring tons of local, vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free goodies amidst grass-fed burgers piled high with pulled pork served alongside sweet potato fries and house-made chili garlic aioli. We have a kale and quinoa salad with pumpkin sage dressing that’ll knock your socks off and flash-fried goat cheese balls drizzled with local honey that'll make you cry a little. We grow the herbs in your falafel on our rooftop garden. We're committed to supporting the community and protecting the environment by serving great food from sustainable and often local sources.
There's truly something for everyone. Food intolerances are a piece of [gluten-free] cake.
But when you come in with a laundry list of food “intolerances” forbidding processed grains, gluten, “industrial oils” like soy or canola oil, and added sugar, I’m gonna scratch my head. And then I’m going to go outside and fetch you a piece of organic tree bark because that’s about the only thing in a mile radius that meets those requirements. I could probably put mustard on it too, if you want. I'll even serve it up with water on the rocks.
Don’t get me wrong—allergies and intolerances are no joke. I have friends that are sick for weeks if they eat gluten. This post is obviously NOT directed toward those who are legitimately allergic or intolerant to gluten, dairy, corn, eggs or soy. I don't want to come off as insensitive or offend any one who can't eat certain foods for legitimate health reasons. If you came in and were intolerant to all those things, I would feel so bad that I would go in the kitchen and whip you up something delicious myself! But when you order your burger on a gluten-free bun followed by a local draft, I have to wonder how “intolerant” you really are. Everyone is completely entitled to eat or not eat whatever they choose, and if you don’t want to eat gluten or sugar or soybean oil, I totally respect that.
But maybe...maybe you should eat at home.
Because for the chef to leave the kitchen so he can whisk together a special dressing of olive oil and vinegar and find some wild salmon that isn’t already marinated in the blended oil, that’s a little ridiculous. Now if you were actually allergic to the canola oil, that would be a completely different story. If you're one of those people that's actually allergic to that laundry list of food, you shouldn't eat at home. You should come on in to The Crest and we will most definitely find something that works for you!
And trust me, the chef was more than happy to do it. They want to cater to everyone’s needs, as do I. I love describing our vegan and gluten-free options and I’m extremely proud to work at a restaurant that’s so accommodating to different diets and allergies. That said, if you think you’re going to go out to eat and not consume soybean or canola oil, you’ve got another thing coming. If The Crest could afford to only cook with olive oil, I bet they would. But that will never happen. They can’t afford to incur those costs because you as the customer wouldn’t want to pay them. They’re a business. They’re doing their best to serve a healthy product with integrity, but it’s not realistic for a large-scale food operation to only serve that caliber of food unless the clientele is not only willing to pay for it, but also able to afford it.
I’ve studied nutrition for six years. I know a quite a bit about what it means physiologically to be allergic or intolerant to a certain ingredient. And yes, I understand why people don’t want to eat soybean and canola oil. Cook with your ingredients of choice at home and respect that those may not be exactly the same in the food service industry. They’re trying. They really are. But honestly, a little canola oil when you go out to eat isn’t going to kill you. There are far worse things you could eat at a restaurant. Pick your battles.
Restaurants are already making huge leaps and bounds by offering so many healthy, gluten-free and plant-based options. We should be celebrating that! Being insanely picky to the point of awkwardness isn’t fun for anyone, and that’s how us "healthy" eaters get a bad rep.
Don’t get me wrong….I ask the server if the salmon is wild and if the bread is whole wheat. I order salads on the side instead of fries. I was vegan for over a year, and I’ve made my fair share of restaurant requests. I’m annoying too. We all are, to some degree. And we’re entitled to that. We’re allowed to care about our health. But there’s a big difference between being health-conscious and being completely unrealistic.
Don’t be that person. Celebrate the good company and bite your tongue.
At least you know it’s gluten-free.
Kiersten @ Oh My Veggies says
I am woefully behind on my blog reading, but yes yes yes to all of this. I try to eat clean, but I'm tired of people who think that a teaspoon of sugar in a recipe or a little bit of soy sauce will kill them. I can't imagine how annoying it must be to work at a restaurant and hear that kind of thing all the time. I would be rolling my eyes harrrrrd.
Alexis says
Amen, sista!! Some serious eye rolling goes on behind the scenes 🙂
Laura says
LOVE this post and I wholeheartedly agree with your notes about not being too picky. My personal rule is "one special request per order" - which I think works well for anyone who is a picky eater rather than having a true allergy.
However, I did want to point out that sometimes it's not as easy as just cooking what you want at home. I LOVE to cook, but I travel for work 4-5 days a week, and have to eat all my meals at restaurants during that time. To stay healthy, I try to choose restaurants where I can get food the way I like it, but sometimes I do just have to throw up my hands and eat what's provided, whether it's to my specifications or not. (Silly business dinners where I don't get to choose the restaurant or that sometimes even have a set menu!) Just wanted to share that there are some people for whom eating at home / preparing your own food is truly not an option!
Tatum | EATS From The Oil Patch Blog says
all those dishes look absolutely stunning and delicious! What a treat to work there 🙂
Leslee @ Her Happy Balance says
You make some excellent points. If you really care about each and every ingredient, the only way to know exactly what goes into your food without putting the servers and staff through a rigamarole is to just stay home. Cook what you want. Control all of your ingredients. Be as picky as you want in the privacy of your own kitchen on your own time schedule. I do my fair share of question asking about the food too, but when it comes down to it, when I go out to eat, I go out to enjoy a meal that has not been cooked by me with friends. You've got to be reasonable and willing to settle on certain things. It's embarrassing for fellow diners when someone in their party makes a big fuss, I always feel that way anyway. It kinda kills the vibe of the evening. Great post, good share.
Lauren says
I am a big believer in that the stress caused by worrying about eating something "bad" is worse then eating that "bad" thing. I think it is far more beneficial for the body (and soullll for that matter) to relax once in a while! Sure, eat as clean as you want but sometimes just go with the flow people!
Alexis says
Exactly!! Well said 🙂
Meghan@CleanEatsFastFeets says
A-to the- Men! I love this post and agree whole heartedly. I think people can take things too far and honestly I see lots of this in the HLB community: no bread, no pasta, no white carbs basically, no egg yolks, no sugar, no oil, blah, blah, boring.
I use canola oil all the time in my granola. I go through it in such quantities I can't afford to use evoo and canola oil is not the devil it has been made out to be. Snopes it and you'll see.
By the way, I love the ideal behind The Crest. It sounds like a fantastic restaurant.
Alexis says
Agreed. Life can be boring if you're restricting too much for reasons other than allergies and legit intolerances. Food should be fun!!!
Garage Gyms says
I used to wait tables over 15 years ago, and for many years. I don't ever recall a single person with food allergies. Is this more common now? As for me, I don't even like asking to replace a side dish, but that probably has to do with having waited myself. I'm the easiest customer ever in a restaurant so long as you can keep my drink full.
Alexis says
Oh yes...especially when you work at a place with so many gluten-free and vegan options. That attracts everyone with food allergies 🙂
clare @ fitting it all in says
I think similar things often.
It's a touchy topic - you handled it well!!
Alexis says
It's quite a touchy subject. Sometimes you just have to speak up! Glad you agree 🙂
Michelle says
Love this. And WHY haven't I been to The Crest before?! Fixing that asap.
Alexis says
Thanks, lady! You HAVE to go. It's so yummy!
Melissa @ Nourish By Melissa says
Great post! Oh and this might be besides the fact but the food from that restaurant looks incredible, wishing we had one here!
Alexis says
We need a Crest everywhere! It's that good 🙂
Rachel @ Health My Lifestyle says
If only I lived closer the The Crest-- those pictures are amazing and had my mouth watering! Definitely agree with everything you said. My undergrad was in Bakery Science so I know all about gluten and celiac disease. The gluten-free fad drives me crazy and I HATE the ignorance of people on it and the food industry for taking advantage of their ignorance. Like labeling corn chips "gluten-free." OF COURSE they're gluten-free, they're made of corn! I just wish people would educate themselves more and realize that gluten-free foods aren't any healthier than the real thing. In fact, they tend to have added calories and sugar to make the product taste better, so it's not doing them any favors. And it's more expensive, who would want that?! Ok, rant over.
Alexis says
You need to take a trip to Cbus for some Crest eats! Haha love what you said about the corn chips--like the company obvi just labeled them gluten-free to attract people. They're freaking corn! It definitely all boils down to education. Love your rant and I totes agree 🙂
Cassie says
Um, the last two lines of this post were the best.
I am a picky eater as in I care about what I put into my body (meaning lots of veggies and lean protein) but I'm not so insane that I ask for a meal to be cooked in DIFFERENT OIL. I think if you want to be high-maintance about food, you need to take care of it yourself - don't expect other people to bend over backwards to fill your every crazy food need.
People who are trying to be "too healthy" and just ending up "unhealthy" because they are cutting out entire food groups without sensitivities, allergies, etc. Yeah, I'm sensitive to gluten so I don't eat it. I'm allergic to shrimp. Other than that, I'd never ask for a special preparation - you learn to live with how your body is built!
Alexis says
Hahah I was wondering if anyone noticed that those lines were supposed to be funny.... Hehe. Glad you see my pain about the whole oil thing. Like there are bigger fish to fry!!!
Allison @ Clean Wellness says
This is amazing! So true. I think being relaxed and flexible and willing to try something outside of your comfort zone, is a big part of being healthy.
Alexis says
SO well said, Allison!
Davida @ The Healthy Maven says
Fantastic post! Do you have any idea how much I have to bite my tongue when I'm working Kewaza demos?! It's the WORST. If someone mentions the calories to protein ratio one more time I'm gonna kick some calorie ass. And then when people comment on the sugar gahhhh! It's sugar from dates! And they're all like "omg so much sugaaaar" and I'm like bitch PLEASE that apple you're eating has MORE sugar than these. Ugh I digress.
I totally feel for people with allergies. That sucks! But people who are supposedly intolerant to EVERYTHING I'm like "how is that even possible". It's just the more socially acceptable version of a diet! I've had friends like these in the past and it just didn't work out cause how am I supposed to enjoy my favourite activity (eating out) if they legit won't eat anything? And then everytime they want to get together they suggest we eat at home so they can use their coconut oil and grass-fed meat and BPA free this and gluten-free that and have full control over their food I'm just like ummmmm I'd rather have a gluten stomach bloat and ache than try to eat with you.
I'm actually working on a post on "orthorexia" and people who are OBSESSED with being healthy. May hash the topic out with you! Over smoothies duhhhhh
April says
I like you, Davida. A lot.
Alexis says
OMG I've gotten the most ridiculous comments when I'm sampling oatmeal for Bakery on Main. Like people won't eat it if it's not 100% organic. Like organic oats??? As if they're the most contaminated food on God's green earth? Give me a freaking break. Totes with you on rather being bloated that freaking out over every gosh darn little thing. Like sorry, if you eat out, you're eating canola oil. And lots of it. FACE DAH FACTS, YO! Let's chat about this further over mixed berry smoothies, shall we?
Débora says
I´m actually getting use to be picky in restaurants. I hate it but with my allegies I must. I live in México, and the big problem here is that lactose intollerance is in, but people don´t even know about actuall dairy allergies or allergic to gluten "wha is that?" I´ve had problems even with "dietitians", I´ve struggle with my weight and looked for help and all I get is a funny look, like "already making escuses" when ever I mention all my allergies. Thank god for blogs like yours with great recipes and insights on real healthy nutrition. Hopefully you´ll get your degree soon and maybe, you can couch online?
Robyn @thereallife_RD says
you HIT the nail on the head lady. you're so wise 🙂
keep crushing life. xo
Alexis says
Hehehe thanks mah lady!
Lindsay @ Truffles of Truth says
Beautifully written, and too true!
Alexis says
Thanks a bunch, darling!
Denise Londergan says
Alexis,
BRAVO.....so well written.
Alexis says
Awwww thanks so much for commenting, Denise! So glad you liked it 🙂
Matt @ Runner Savvy says
Great post! The one thing I have to stay away from like the plague is soy. It makes me so sick!
Alexis says
I feel ya buddy. Being sick is NO fun!
Brittany @ Delights and Delectables says
I agree with you... to be picky is annoying. I live with multiple food allergies and I typically try to stick to simple meals when I go out... salmon and steamed broccoli so that I don't become a nuisance to my server. As much as it is a nuisance for them, it is even more humiliating and annoying to have to live that way.
Alexis says
Thanks for your insightful comment, Brittany. You're so right--it's way more of a nuisance for the person suffering from the allergies than the server taking the order. Well said! Thanks for reading 🙂
Gwen @ Confessions of a Gila Monster says
Great post! And damn you for posting the pic of the goat cheese balls. I seriously will order those EVERY time I'm at The Crest!
Alexis says
Hehehe such a tease! You should come back and enjoy a raspberry beer and goat cheese balls on the patio 🙂 Such a dream!
April says
invite me. yes, please.
Alexis says
COME ON OVER SISTA.
Gwen @ Confessions of a Gila Monster says
Once we finally get patio weather, I'm there!
Chelsea says
I LOVE this! I think one thing that's super frustrating is those picky, just being annoying people kind of ruin it for those of us who have serious allergies. I find a lot of wait staff assumes I'm just being difficult, when I have an anaphylactic reaction to wheat and get severe sinus infections from gluten. I actually had one waiter say "it only has a little bit of gluten, but you still want it right?" after asking about a menu item. And, I think you made a really good point with the olive oil thing. I prefer to cook with olive oil exclusively at home, but when I go out to eat, I know that's not realistic. I don't want a ton of processed crap in my diet, so I make my selection wisely at restaurant, select certain restaurants based on product quality and minimize the amount I eat out. I think people get a little carried away with fads and take it a bit too far. As much as I'm super grateful it's easier to find gluten free food--because it was NOT 5 years ago when I was first diagnosed with my allergies--at the same time the fad dieters have kind of ruined the seriousness of it for people who really cannot have gluten. I always feel guilty when we go out to eat, apologize for being difficult and say thank you about 12 million times, which isn't necessary. But, usually tip well above 20% if the server goes out of their way to accommodate or answer questions I have to make sure I have a safe dining experience. I also am smart enough to not go somewhere where there are obviously not going to be options for me and then pitch a fit that they can't accommodate my special request/need. I choose my restaurants wisely and I've had really good experiences overall. Again, love this post! You did a great job!
April says
Love Chelsea's comment and perspective. You have a great outlook, Chelsea, and are completely right about the difference between actual allergies/dietary restrictions and people just being a little too unrealistic/overboard for the sake of a fad diet or the guise of health. Cheers to you, girl!
Alexis says
Thanks so much for your comment, Chelsea. People seriously do NOT understand how gluten intolerance works. You seem SO understanding. I'm so glad that there are so many more mainstream gluten-free options for you now. And you have no reason to apologize. It's not your fault, sister! I'm sure waiters love you because you sound super sweet 🙂 Thanks for your awesome comment, girl!
cheri says
There are truly both sides to every story so they say, but I completely understand what and how you are coming across. People just need to be real. That's all.
Alexis says
You're totally right about that!
April says
Girlfran - I love you. GREAT post and I know you are being respectful of those with true allergies. In my humble opinion, being "healthy" to the extreme is unhealthy. Anything to the extreme is no bueno. This is something I have thought about a lot. As a society, we condemn overweight and applaud stick thin. It bothers me. When I had an eating disorder and obsessed over every calorie and worked out multiple hours a day, people complimented me like crazy. I felt so much pressure and I was killing myself to weigh something unrealistic for my body. I honestly never felt worse about myself. I am lucky that I have no food allergies (that I know of or at the moment), but I have been on both ends of this extreme spectrum. Call me an extremist, if you will. In my college days, I didn't think about oil or gluten or fried food. Or exercising regularly. I definitely was not taking good care of myself - but I was having a damn good time! Then, I decided to get healthy and took it to the other extreme - and was not even eating natural or local or whole foods or listening to my body one bit. Plus, the anxiety and stress were so, so toxic. Anyways, my point here is - it's all about balance. I weigh somewhere inbetween now, and make mostly healthy choices for different reasons these days - because I care about myself and want to feel good. I don't deprive myself of anything. I do often ask to swap out a side or some simple accommodation. But I don't claim to be something I'm not. All things in moderation - even moderation. Great post, chick. You are my sunshine. And I'm dying to come visit you and eat at The Crest. AND I went wild and stirred cookie butter into my overnight oats with blueberries this morning. Not even close to healthy. C'est la vie. My almond butter will be waiting for me again tomorrow. All good in da hood.
Alexis says
Your comments seriously always make my night. SO thoughtful, so sweet, so insightful. You writer, you. I'm so proud of your for overcoming your obstacles with eating. You've made a huge transformation and it's honestly so inspiring! All things in moderation is right. YOU are my sunshine. Come visit so we can down goat cheeze ballz and mimosas on the patio. We'll snap chat it to err'body. PS the cookie butter in the oats has me drooling.
Kate says
Hit the nail on the head. Sometimes I worry about how much organic I can afford and getting only local meats, eggs, and dairy. It's been driving me crazy lately. I have to realize that I just can't afford to eat that way, at least not right now in my life. The other day at Trader Joe's I bought the organic garbanzo beans because I would have felt guilty buying the conventional. WTF? Eating conventional beans is not going to kill me. I think the local movement is great, but for those of us who easily take things to extremes, it can be unhealthy. So, for now I am trying to buy only what I can afford that is local/organic. This means one or two things a week. And the rest is conventional. I will be okay. I will live. haha
Alexis says
This is gonna sound weird, but honestly sometimes I have to think looooong and hard about if I really am in the position to spend more on organic apples and spinach. Everything adds up, and it definitely isn't in everyone's budget (espesh not mine at the moment). We do what we can, right?! Every step in the right direction counts! We'll all survive, even if it's just off toast and almond buttah 🙂
Dietitian Jess says
Definitely true! I worked in a restaurant during my Dietetic Internship, and some of the requests were just ridiculous. I'm all for being healthy, but if you're too nutrition obsessed, I recommend eating at home. Well said! I have a friend that's vegan and one that's gluten free and when we go out to eat we plan ahead to find a restaurant that can accomodate them both instead of going somewhere where everything has to be a special order. The Crest menu sounds super yummy and versatile!
Alexis says
Oyyyy that can be super hard, especially when you're out with a bunch of people. You'd love the Crest!! I'm getting hungry just thinking about it 🙂
She Rocks Fitness says
Those photos are amazing and 100% agree with your opinions in this post. Love your honesty!
Alexis says
Thanks so much doll! I can't take credit for the photos (they're from the Crest's website), but thanks so much for your sweet comment about the post 🙂 Glad you enjoyed it!
Dixya @ Food, Pleasure, and Health says
such a great post..allergies and wanna-be im allergic/intolerances are totally different things..Its nice to see restaurants with chef that are aware and able to cater to special diets.
Alexis says
Agreed--there's a big difference between being intolerant to gluten and simply doing it to be trendy, which is totally fine too 🙂
Hayley@healthyregards says
but g-free is in, right?!
Alexis says
SO in 🙂 Everyone's doing it!! But really...
Nikki says
I'm not sure you are being totally fair to people with genuine allergies, I can not eat gluten (celiac) dairy, eggs, corn or soy because they make me really sick. My life is a nightmare, I hate being invited out for food, I try to eat at home as much as I can, but why should my fiancé or family have to miss out on enjoying dining out because of me. It's stressful and embarrassing and I hate it and hearing people like you basically say maybe you should just eat at home, makes the realisation of how difficult my allergies make my life all the more real and how intolerant people can be. No I don't order a gluten free bun and then a beer, because this isn't a fad it's a real illness most of the time gluten free food doesn't even cover my allergies. You are lucky if your choices are just for healthy clean living, but not everyone's are!
Alexis says
Hi, Nikki. Thanks for the comment! I really didn't intend to come off as insensitive to those with legitimate allergies and I'm so sorry if I did. I'm referring to the people who complicate their orders to be 100% gluten free and then order a beer right afterwords. I can't imagine living how difficult it would be living with all those allergies, and I truly apologize if I offended you. I just added this to the post after reading your comment: " This post is obviously NOT directed toward those who get sick after eating gluten, dairy, corn, eggs or soy. I don’t want to come off as insensitive or offend any one who can’t eat certain foods for legitimate health reasons. If you came in and were intolerant to all those things, I would feel so bad that I would go in the kitchen and whip you up something delicious myself!"
nikki says
Hi Alexis,
Thanks for replying - I really appreciate it :o)
It sucks having so many allergies, but I have found some really nice recipes on your site so that keeps me happy at home.
If I'm ever in the US I'll be sure to pop in so you can whip me up something special.
Kind Regards
Nikki
Alexis says
You're very welcome 🙂 I really appreciated your honesty. You better come to the U.S. so we can whip you up some humbelievable allergy-friendly goodies! xo
Amanda @ .running with spoons. says
I totally understand the frustration. And I can't help but giggle to myself over the fact that the stress those people probably put on themselves over trying to eat 'perfectly clean' is probably way worse for them than if they were to just ease up and be more relaxed with their food choices.
Robyn @thereallife_RD says
oh gosh, amen! I always tell people stress and worry is just as "unhealthy" than if you were to just eat the dang thing!
Alexis says
Well said, my dear 🙂 LIKE JUST CHILL AND HAVE A FREAKING COOKIE.
Maryea {happy healthy mama} says
Oops...THE Crest. 🙂
Maryea {happy healthy mama} says
So well said! I probably go to far in the opposite direction when I go out to eat because I hate to be a bother or draw weird attention to myself. 🙂
On another note, you have me totally sold on Crest! I just pulled up Google maps to see how far it was from my house...hour and a half! Not bad. I may have to make a trip just to eat there!!
Alexis says
I didn't realize you lived so close! I say you come on over for a blogger meetup and we can chat about life over some honey glazed cheese balls 🙂
Arman @ thebigmansworld says
You know my thoughts on this- preach it buddy. I have a post in the works digging this very notion- through experiences with day to day people. The ordering something gluten free then getting a gluten filled food after it? Yep, gluten free right there.
What is a lentil? What is food? Is Alexis French for Hummus?
Alexis says
WHO ARE ALL THESE LENTILS ALL UP IN MAH GRILL.
Nicolette says
Great post! I am a pain-in-the-ass 80% of the time, that 80% is spent at home feveriously following splendid clean recipes etc etc, but the other 20% is spent wallowing in my local eateries - enjoying their (vegetarian) delights! All hail the 80/20 of sane reasoning here!
Alexis says
I'm totally down for the 80/20 rule my friend! All good 🙂
Nikkii Baker says
Well said, Alexis!
Thank you! x
Alexis says
You're so welcome, girl 🙂