Help! What can I order from an Indian restaurant if I can't handle ANY spice?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If OP can't even handle pepper, she won't be able to handle anything from an Indian restaurant - even "mild".

Agree that naan and plain rice are your only options - but since it sounds like this is your sibling hosting, why would they not know about your sensitivities?

He does know. Last time I went for dinner, I picked where we ordered in from. This time, he's letting my niece pick.

He can’t tell your niece something like Indian food upsets Auntie Larla’s tummy (or something age appropriate)? We want Auntie Larla to enjoy dinner and not get sick, right? How about we pick from one of these three restaurants that we know she likes?

I understand that you don’t really get sick but it’s an easy way to explain it. And you are certainly uncomfortable.

I would likely make my kid choose a place that we could all enjoy, but it also isn't for OP to tell the host what to order. I think in this case (it's family, you can't eat the food) it's fine to bring your own.

[Anonymous]

Since it’s your own brother why can’t you simply bring something you can eat? The others can have takeout. I thought this was some big extended family shindig.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I always wonder what people with this type of eating limitation/disorder do eat regularly?

I am like OP and the answer is bland food. Even garlic can be too much for me and sometimes sour cream and onion potatoe chips for example.

I take medication that makes my mouth even more sensitive so I have to be really careful.

I hate it and wish it wasn't the case.

Oh man! That stinks. I'm sorry, PP.

I'm the PPP who asked, and I'm sorry too. That is tough, PP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Chicken tikka masala or malai kofta (my preference, also vegetarian).

Yes, also known as butter chicken, These rely heavily on seasonings, not spices.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Since it’s your own brother why can’t you simply bring something you can eat? The others can have takeout. I thought this was some big extended family shindig.

If it’s a restaurant, they might not be able to allow you. We’ve had to use ADA to deal with some digestive orders and food allergies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Chicken tikka masala or malai kofta (my preference, also vegetarian).

Yes, also known as butter chicken, These rely heavily on seasonings, not spices.

Was OP the one who can’t even do garlic?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Chicken tikka masala or malai kofta (my preference, also vegetarian).

Yes, also known as butter chicken, These rely heavily on seasonings, not spices.

They all contain a base of onions, garlic, cumin, coriander, pepper, cardamom, cloves, cayenne: in other words, spices.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Since it’s your own brother why can’t you simply bring something you can eat? The others can have takeout. I thought this was some big extended family shindig.

If it’s a restaurant, they might not be able to allow you. We’ve had to use ADA to deal with some digestive orders and food allergies.

OP said they are getting takeout.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Chicken tikka masala or malai kofta (my preference, also vegetarian).

Yes, also known as butter chicken, These rely heavily on seasonings, not spices.

They all contain a base of onions, garlic, cumin, coriander, pepper, cardamom, cloves, cayenne: in other words, spices.

Sorry--I meant it relied on seasoning spices, not spicy spices. Regardless, they are good options because the heavy cream sauces dilute the spices. I suppose OP needs to clarify if she is sensitive to all spices or just spicy spices.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Chicken tikka masala or malai kofta (my preference, also vegetarian).

Yes, also known as butter chicken, These rely heavily on seasonings, not spices.

They all contain a base of onions, garlic, cumin, coriander, pepper, cardamom, cloves, cayenne: in other words, spices.

Sorry--I meant it relied on seasoning spices, not spicy spices. Regardless, they are good options because the heavy cream sauces dilute the spices. I suppose OP needs to clarify if she is sensitive to all spices or just spicy spices.

And what's the worst that can happen if she doesn't get mouth sores like the other poster? She takes a bite, swallows a lot of water (really, milk would be better) and then eats rice. Or she finds a new food she can eat.

[Anonymous]

OP, you could try what I do for my kids when we visit extended family. They are big on spicy Indian food. But even though my mouth can handle spice, it upsets my stomach. My kids are even worse.
I taste a dab of the butter chicken. If it's not too spicy, spread a thin layer on the naan. Go even thinner if it's even the tiniest bit spicy. You could eat this like an open faced sandwich or top with some more rice to make it even more bland. If they have a salad available, use that to fill the rest of your plate. Finish off with milk or a dairy drink like the lassie, and you should be okay.
Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Oops, saw you can't even taste spice or it bothers you. No need to go through this agony. Just eat the naan, rice, and salad and enjoy the wonderful company. That's what I do when despite all my precautions, the food is still too hot for me ( I'm south Indian, so it can get pretty hot

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I always wonder what people with this type of eating limitation/disorder do eat regularly?

I am like OP and the answer is bland food. Even garlic can be too much for me and sometimes sour cream and onion potatoe chips for example.

I take medication that makes my mouth even more sensitive so I have to be really careful.

I hate it and wish it wasn't the case.

I don't know about OP but if you can't eat onions then you might have a form of IBS that requires low-FODMAP foods. The hallmark of needing to eat low-FODMAP is an intolerance for onions and garlic. Then there is a whole list of other foods that some people can tolerate and others cannot. However, not being able to eat onions and garlic is something they all have in common. It has to do with their bodies not being able to process the fructose in certain high-FODMAP foods and when they eat those foods they experience severe gastro distress.



Note that there are better charts out there - this is just the one that I could get in a jpg format so I could paste it in LOL.

In answer to OP's question, our low-FODMAP daughter eats Naan, Rice, and either Butter Chicken or Lamb Saag. Note that the Lamb Saag looks absolutely disgusting but OMG it is delicious. I like Butter Chicken but it is a little sweet for me. OP will need to make sure the niece says explicitly: NO ONIONS and NO GARLIC when she places the order.

Sorry for the long post. I hope this information helps, OP!

[Anonymous]

Omg I want a mango Lassi and raita now.

[Anonymous]

Where the heck are they ordering from that the restaurant food will be soooo spicy? Indian restaurant food has gotten so bland over the years that unless you say spicy, the default is food that is made for 5 year old (non indian) kids.