Skip to content

Green Living

Avoiding GMOs in the Restaurant

by Kirsten E. Silven 25 Oct 2011
Avoiding GMOs in the Restaurant

What is on my plate question via Shutterstock

When dining out it can be tough to know how to avoid GMOs, but luckily there are a few rules of thumb you can follow that will help you enjoy your meal while also sticking to your diet. Perhaps it is no surprise that fast food restaurants are generally the worst when it comes to including GMOs in their menu options, since most heavily processed foods contain soy and corn derivatives.

However, even in traditional restaurants GMOs are often found all over the menu. Organic items are always the safest bet, since a food product cannot be labeled USDA Organic if it contains GMOs, but not all restaurants offer organic menu options. If not, try to avoid ordering items made from tofu or corn and limit desserts to those made with pure cane sugar or another natural sweetener such as Agave nectar. Also, avoid aspartame, which is produced using genetically modified micro-organisms and is found in products like Equal and NutraSweet, as it has been linked to many different illnesses.

GMO free message

GMO free message via Shutterstock

Oils are another primary source of GMOs in restaurant food, including canola, corn, cottonseed and soy. If the restaurant does not use organic oils, ask if they can use olive oil for your entree of choice, or ask them to prepare it without oil if possible. Although butter presents another option, if it is not organic keep in mind that it likely comes from cows that are injected with artificial hormones or fed a diet of GMO grains.

The type of restaurant you choose will also play a role in avoiding GMOs when eating out. Try to find a locally-sourced establishment that makes all dishes from scratch and uses organic ingredients. Also, ethnic restaurants that serve Greek, Italian or Middle Eastern food are typically a safer bet, as they use olive oil in many standard dishes.

Awareness is key, so don't be afraid to call ahead and ask a restaurant if they offer organic or non-GMO food options on the menu. If not, consider bringing them information on the dangers of GMOs and conventionally produced food items in an effort to educate the owners and hopefully encourage a shift in thinking. The more the question is raised, the more likely restaurant owners are to take notice and make changes to meet the demands of their increasingly sophisticated clientele.

Green Living is an Earth Times Blog; any views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author


Trending Eco-Friendly Clothing

Love My Planet Women's Relaxed Fit Hoodie
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Love My Planet Women's Relaxed Fit Hoodie
Love My Planet women's eco-friendly relaxed fit hoodieSize Guide Centimeters 8 10 12 14 16 18 Bust 84 88 92 97 103 108 Waist 66 70 75 80 85 91 Hips 91 95 99 104 109 116 Bust: Measure around the fullest part of...
£38.00
£38.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Penguins Hate Push-Ups Men's Pullover Hoodie
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Penguins Hate Push-Ups Men's Pullover Hoodie
Penguins Hate Push-Ups men's eco-friendly pullover HoodieSize Guide Centimeters XS S M L XL XXL Height 171 175 179 183 189 195 Chest 86 93 99 104 116 129 Waist 71 76 81 89 99 112 Chest: Measure all round your chest just below...
£38.00
£38.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Lightning Bolt Kids Long Sleeve T-Shirt
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Lightning Bolt Kids Long Sleeve T-Shirt
Lightning Bolt kids eco-friendly long sleeve t-shirtSize Guide Centimeters 3-4yrs 5-6yrs 7-8yrs 9-10yrs 11-12yrs Height 98 112 125 136 147 Chest 60 66 70 75 84 Chest: Measure all around your chest just below your armpits. Height: Your natural height If you fall between...
£18.00
£18.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Union Jack Tote Bag
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Union Jack Tote Bag
Union Jack eco-friendly colour tote bagProduct Specification Organic Cotton Tote Bag. Twill Weave (170gsm). 37 x 42 cm (7cm gusset.) Made in India / Designed on the Isle of Wight. Wash Cool, Hang Dry.
£16.00
£16.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Prev Post
Next Post

Eco-Friendly Shop

Women's Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothing for Women Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable women’s clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies, vests, sweaters, shorts, and...
Shop Now

Men's Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothing for Men Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable men’s clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies, vests, sweaters, shorts, and...
Shop Now

Kids Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothes for Kids Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable kids clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies and jumpers. Our garments...
Shop Now
Someone recently bought a
[time] ago, from [location]

Thanks for subscribing!

This email has been registered!

Shop the look

Choose Options

Earth Times
Sign up for exclusive updates, new arrivals & insider only discounts

Recently Viewed

Edit Option
Back In Stock Notification
this is just a warning
Login
Shopping Cart
0 items

Before you leave...

Take 20% off your first order

20% off

Enter the code below at checkout to get 20% off your first order

CODESALE20

Continue Shopping