Dietary Restrictions

Dietary Restrictions in Italian

When dining out in Italy, it is important to communicate your dietary needs clearly. This lesson covers essential phrases for expressing preferences, allergies, and specific requirements.

Expressing Status

To say what you are, use the verb essere (to be) followed by your dietary preference. Remember that adjectives change their ending based on gender:

  • Sono vegetariano (I am vegetarian - male)
  • Sono vegetariana (I am vegetarian - female)
  • Sono vegano / vegana (I am vegan)

Asking for Specific Diets

Use the preposition senza (without) to avoid certain ingredients:

  • Senza glutine (Gluten-free)
  • Senza lattosio (Lactose-free)
  • Senza zucchero (Sugar-free)

Common Mistakes

Don't forget to match the adjective ending with your gender! A female speaker should say Sono vegetariana, not vegetariano.

Words

vegetariano
vegetarian
Sono vegetariano.I am vegetarian.
senza glutine
gluten-free
Avete la pizza senza glutine?Do you have gluten-free pizza?
allergia
allergy
Ho un'allergia.I have an allergy.
lattosio
lactose
Questo piatto contiene lattosio?Does this dish contain lactose?
carne
meat
Non mangio la carne.I do not eat meat.
pesce
fish
Preferisco il pesce.I prefer fish.
frutta a guscio
nuts
Ho un'allergia alla frutta a guscio.I have a nut allergy.
vegano
vegan
Mia sorella è vegana.My sister is vegan.

Lessons are prepared with the help of AI.

Patterns

Sono ___.

Expressing your dietary identity or lifestyle, e.g., I am vegetarian.

Sono vegetariana.I am vegetarian.

Avete opzioni senza ___?

Asking if the menu has options free of a specific ingredient.

Avete opzioni senza glutine?Do you have gluten-free options?

Ho un'allergia al/alla ___.

Stating a specific food allergy.

Ho un'allergia alla frutta a guscio.I have a nut allergy.