Dining Card Guide

Explain your alpha-gal needs quickly when ordering food.

Dining communication support

This guide helps you use the dining card as a practical restaurant tool. It supports safer conversations with staff, but it does not replace direct ingredient and preparation checks.

Handing a ready-made dining card to restaurant staff keeps the conversation focused on ingredients that matter. The printable card below gives cooks and servers a clear checklist so meals stay free of mammalian products.

How to use it with staff

Present the card while you are greeted or when the server takes drink orders so the kitchen has extra time.
Politely confirm the kitchen shares the card during handoff. Follow up before the meal arrives if you have not heard back.
Keep a photo of the card on your phone in case you forget a printed copy.

Customize before printing

Fill in personal sensitivities (for example, gelatin capsules or dairy) in the notes field.
Add a preferred emergency contact and the time window when reactions usually start for you.
Translate the notes section into the local language when traveling internationally.

Prep for events and caterers

Give the card to event planners or caterers during menu planning instead of waiting for service.
Pack extra cards in your bag or car so friends can advocate for you if you become symptomatic.

Use this page as the quick dining-card guide.

If you want the broader printable resource library, partner print options, wallet cards, or tattoo assets, use the full downloads page.

Open dining card PDF Open full download library Print and card shortcuts

Print on 4x6 inch paper in landscape orientation. Laminate or store in a protective sleeve so it survives kitchen use.

What the card helps staff catch

Hidden mammalian ingredients in sauces, broths, butter, dairy, or cooking fats.
Shared preparation issues such as grills, fryers, pans, and utensils.
The fact that the restriction needs to follow the whole preparation path, not just the main protein.

Where to go next

Use the downloads page for the full printable library and related resources.
Return to the scanner if you are still evaluating a packaged ingredient list before dining out.
Browse recipes when the safest move is cooking at home instead of forcing a risky restaurant choice.

Encourage restaurants to keep the card with your ticket or point-of-sale notes so future visits are easier. Always double-check dishes before eating.