Clearing the Menu: Your Guide to Ordering Seed-Oil-Free at Restaurants

For health-conscious diners avoiding seed oils like canola, soybean, or sunflower oil, eating out can feel like navigating a minefield. Seed oils are common in restaurant kitchens—used for frying, dressings, and sauces—yet requesting alternatives doesn’t need to be stressful. Here's how to communicate your needs clearly and confidently:

Why Ask for Seed-Oil-Free? Many choose to avoid highly processed seed oils due to concerns about inflammation or dietary preferences. However, staff may not immediately recognize "seed oils" as a category. Be specific: name oils you’re avoiding (e.g., soybean, corn, canola, grapeseed) and oils you prefer (like olive, avocado, or coconut). Always mention cross-contamination risks from shared fryers or grills.

Your Communication Toolkit:

• Prep Ahead: Call the restaurant pre-visit. Ask: "Can you tell me what oils are used for frying and dressings?"
• Be Solution-Oriented: Say: "I avoid seed oils. Could my meal be prepared with olive oil instead? Are any dishes cooked without them?"
• Prioritize Safe Choices: Opt for grilled, steamed, or roasted dishes with simple sauces. Avoid fried foods unless the restaurant uses seed-oil-free alternatives.
• Use Technology: Load the restaurant menu into the mm food app, set "seed-oil-free" as your restriction, and let our AI instantly flag safe options or warn about hidden ingredients. If traveling, use our translator to phrase your request in the local language.

How mm food Simplifies Dining: Upload any menu via photo, PDF, or link. Our app will:

1. Translate foreign menus to your language.
2. Cross-check every dish against your seed-oil restriction.
3. Highlight safe choices and note ambiguous items to discuss with staff.

Embrace dining out without compromise. With clear communication and mm food’s AI-powered insights, savor meals that align with your wellness goals.