Dietary Restrictions & Preferences Check
Before finalizing the menu or restaurant, friends check for any allergies, dietary restrictions (vegetarian, gluten-free), or strong preferences among the group.
Dialogue
Listen and follow along with the conversation
Vocabulary
Essential words and phrases from the dialogue
allergies
A medical condition where your body reacts badly to certain foods or substances, like peanuts or shellfish. Use it when asking about health issues before planning meals.
dietary restrictions
Rules or limits on what someone can eat, often for health, religious, or personal reasons. Common in group planning to ensure everyone can eat safely.
vegetarian
A person who does not eat meat, but may eat fish, eggs, or dairy. Say this to describe your eating habits when avoiding animal products.
gluten-free
Food without gluten, a protein in wheat and some grains. Useful for people with sensitivities; check labels on products like bread or pasta.
preference
A personal choice or liking for something over another. Use it politely to express what you like without making it a strict rule, like 'I have a preference for mild flavors.'
omnivore
Someone who eats both plants and animals, meaning no major food restrictions. It's a fun way to say you eat almost everything, opposite of vegetarian.
spicy
Food with strong, hot flavors from peppers or spices. Many people mention this preference to avoid discomfort, especially in international groups.
Key Sentences
Important phrases to remember and practice
Does anyone have any allergies or strong dietary restrictions I should know about?
This is a polite question to ask a group before planning food. It uses 'does anyone' for general inquiries and 'should know about' to show care for others. Useful for organizing events to avoid issues.
I'm actually vegetarian, so no meat for me, please.
Here, 'actually' adds surprise or clarification, and 'so' connects the reason to the request. It's a clear way to state your diet and politely ask for accommodation. Use when sharing personal habits.
And I'm gluten-free, if possible.
This sentence uses 'if possible' to make a request soft and not demanding. It's helpful for expressing non-strict preferences. Grammar note: 'And I'm' continues from previous speakers in a conversation.
Just a preference for less spicy food, if that's an option.
'Just a preference' softens the request, and 'if that's an option' shows flexibility. This pattern is great for polite suggestions in group decisions, emphasizing it's not a restriction.
I'm good with anything, really. No restrictions or strong preferences here.
'I'm good with' means you're okay with options, and 'really' emphasizes honesty. Use this to show you're easygoing in planning, helping others focus on those with needs.
Me too, I'm an omnivore! Pretty much eat anything.
'Me too' agrees with the previous speaker, and 'pretty much' means almost completely. This casual sentence is fun for confirming no issues and building group rapport.
I'll keep all these in mind when planning.
'Keep in mind' means to remember and consider. This shows appreciation and confirms understanding. Use it to wrap up discussions and assure others their input matters.