Italian Phrases: Dietary Restrictions

Sono vegetariano/vegetariana.

I am vegetarian.

Use this when first telling a waiter or host about your diet. Say it early so the kitchen can prepare accordingly. Add 'vegetariana' if you are female.

Sono allergico/allergica alle noci.

I am allergic to nuts.

State this clearly to waitstaff before ordering. Nut allergies can be life-threatening, so use this phrase firmly and follow with a question about specific dishes.

Sono intollerante al lattosio.

I am lactose intolerant.

Use when ordering pasta, pizza, or desserts that might contain cheese, butter, or cream. Lactose intolerance is well understood in Italy — staff will guide you.

Non mangio glutine.

I don't eat gluten.

Use with the distinction between celiac disease and gluten sensitivity. If you have celiac, use the more formal phrase about celiachia for stronger effect.

Non mangio pesce.

I don't eat fish.

Useful in coastal towns where seafood dominates menus. State this upfront so staff can guide you to suitable dishes on the menu.

Sono vegano/vegana.

I am vegan.

State this at the start of any meal interaction. Veganism is less common in traditional Italian restaurants, so be prepared to ask detailed questions about ingredients.

Ho un'allergia ai latticini.

I have a dairy allergy.

Use this when the severity requires medical framing. 'Allergia' signals a serious condition versus intolerance, prompting kitchen staff to take extra care.

Non mangio carne di maiale.

I don't eat pork.

Essential for Muslim, Jewish, or personally motivated diners. Italian cured meats (salumi) often feature pork, so check appetizer boards and pasta sauces carefully.

Senza uova, per favore.

Without eggs, please.

Use when ordering pasta, sauces, or desserts. Fresh Italian pasta often contains eggs, unlike dried pasta. Mention this early in the ordering process.

Sono intollerante al grano.

I am intolerant to wheat.

Use when you react to wheat specifically but not necessarily all gluten sources. Distinct from celiac disease — useful for those with non-celiac wheat sensitivity.

Seguo una dieta halal.

I follow a halal diet.

Use in restaurants when halal certification matters. In major Italian cities, halal restaurants exist, but traditional Italian restaurants rarely have halal-certified meat.

Seguo una dieta kosher.

I follow a kosher diet.

Use in cities with Jewish communities, particularly Rome (which has Europe's oldest Jewish community). Certified kosher restaurants are rare but do exist.

Niente di piccante, per favore.

Nothing spicy, please.

Use when ordering dishes in regions known for spicy food, like Calabria or when ordering arrabbiata sauce. Italian food is not generally spicy, but chili (peperoncino) appears in some dishes.

Sono allergico/allergica ai molluschi.

I am allergic to mollusks/shellfish.

Use in seafood restaurants or coastal areas. Mollusks include clams, mussels, squid, and octopus — all common in Italian cuisine, especially in pasta sauces.

Senza aglio, per favore.

Without garlic, please.

Use if you have a garlic allergy or intolerance. Garlic is fundamental in Italian cooking — this request may alter a dish significantly and should be made before ordering.

Senza cipolla, per favore.

Without onion, please.

Use alongside garlic restrictions, as onion is also a common soffritto ingredient. Particularly relevant when ordering sauces, soups, and stews.

Evito lo zucchero.

I avoid sugar.

Use when diabetic or following a low-sugar diet. Particularly useful when ordering desserts, juices, and some sauces that may contain hidden sugar.

Sono allergico/allergica al sesamo.

I am allergic to sesame.

Use when ordering bread, street food, or Sicilian cuisine, where sesame seeds frequently appear. Sesame is one of the 14 declared EU allergens.

Preferisco piatti senza alcol.

I prefer dishes without alcohol.

Use when alcohol is a religious or personal restriction. Many Italian sauces — especially for meats — use wine. Tiramisu and zabaglione contain alcohol.

Senza pomodoro, per favore.

Without tomato, please.

Use if allergic to nightshades or following a low-acid diet. Tomato is ubiquitous in Italian cooking, so this restriction requires careful navigation of the menu.

Preferisco piatti leggeri.

I prefer light dishes.

Use when following a low-fat or low-calorie diet, or simply when not very hungry. It opens a conversation about lighter menu options without citing a specific restriction.

Con poco sale, per favore.

With little salt, please.

Use when following a low-sodium diet for health reasons, such as hypertension. Italian food can be quite salty, particularly pasta water, cured meats, and aged cheeses.

Sono allergico/allergica ai crostacei.

I am allergic to crustaceans.

Use in seafood restaurants or when 'frutti di mare' is on the menu. Crustaceans include shrimp, prawns, crab, and lobster — all featured prominently in Italian coastal cuisine.

Seguo una dieta chetogenica.

I follow a ketogenic diet.

Use in health-focused restaurants or when explaining why you're avoiding pasta, bread, and pizza. Keto is increasingly understood in Italy, especially in cities.

Sono intollerante al fruttosio.

I am intolerant to fructose.

Use when ordering fruit-based desserts, sauces with onion, or dishes with high-fructose ingredients. Fructose intolerance is less commonly understood in restaurants — be prepared to explain.

Sono allergico/allergica alla soia.

I am allergic to soy.

Use in Asian fusion restaurants or when ordering processed foods. Soy is less prevalent in traditional Italian cooking than in Asian cuisines, but appears in some processed and modern dishes.

Mangio solo pesce, non carne.

I eat only fish, not meat.

Use to clearly define your pescetarian diet. This is a well-understood dietary preference in Italian coastal regions.

Sono sensibile all'istamina.

I am sensitive to histamine.

Use when histamine intolerance is a concern. High-histamine Italian foods include aged cheeses, cured meats, red wine, and fermented products — all Italian staples.

Seguo una dieta FODMAP.

I follow a FODMAP diet.

Use in health-conscious or gastroenterology-aware restaurants. FODMAP is increasingly recognized in Italian medical and nutritional circles.

Sono allergico/allergica alle mandorle.

I am allergic to almonds.

Use particularly in Sicily, where almonds are a fundamental ingredient in traditional sweets, marzipan, granita, and even some savory sauces.

Sono allergico/allergica alla frutta secca.

I am allergic to tree nuts.

Use as a broad statement covering all tree nuts when you have a general nut allergy. Follow up with specific nut names if needed.

Seguo una dieta anti-infiammatoria.

I follow an anti-inflammatory diet.

Use in health-conscious restaurants when explaining why you choose certain foods. This diet emphasizes olive oil, fish, vegetables, and whole grains — all well-aligned with Mediterranean cooking.

Ho la celiachia. È una questione di salute seria.

I have celiac disease. It is a serious health matter.

Use when celiac disease requires strict kitchen protocols, not just menu avoidance. Cross-contamination from shared pasta water or utensils can cause serious symptoms.

Ho un'allergia alle uova. Non posso mangiarne anche in tracce.

I have an egg allergy. I cannot eat even traces of it.

Use for severe egg allergies where cross-contamination is a risk. 'Anche in tracce' (even in traces) emphasizes the severity and alerts kitchen staff to use separate utensils.

Sono allergico/allergica al sedano.

I am allergic to celery.

Use when aware that celery is a hidden allergen in many Italian soffritti, broths, and soups. Celery is one of the 14 EU major allergens and must be declared on menus.

Sono allergico/allergica alla senape.

I am allergic to mustard.

Use when ordering dressings, marinades, or meat dishes where mustard may appear. Mustard is less prevalent in traditional Italian cooking than in French cuisine but appears in some northern Italian dishes.

Sono allergico/allergica ai lupini.

I am allergic to lupin.

Use when concerned about lupin in gluten-free products or traditional Italian street food. Lupin is one of the 14 EU major allergens and is particularly relevant in southern Italian cuisine.

Mangio solo cibo crudo.

I eat only raw food.

Use in health-conscious or vegan restaurants. Raw food diets are niche in Italy — be prepared for limited options in traditional restaurants and expect better results in organic or health food establishments.

Il dolce è senza lattosio?

Is the dessert lactose-free?

Use specifically when ordering dessert if you're lactose intolerant. Many Italian desserts — panna cotta, gelato, tiramisu — are dairy-heavy.

Posso vedere la scheda degli allergeni?

Can I see the allergen sheet?

Use when you have multiple or serious allergies and need complete information. EU law requires restaurants to make allergen information available on request.

Posso personalizzare il piatto?

Can I customize the dish?

Use as an opening question when your dietary needs require modifications to a dish. It's a polite way to check willingness before specifying changes.

Sto allattando — ci sono alimenti da evitare?

I'm breastfeeding — are there foods to avoid?

Use in Italian restaurants to get guidance on foods that may affect breastfeeding. Italian waitstaff are often knowledgeable about food properties and may offer useful advice.

Sono incinta. Cosa posso mangiare in sicurezza?

I'm pregnant. What can I eat safely?

Use in Italian restaurants to get help navigating pregnancy dietary restrictions. Raw fish, raw meat, soft cheeses, and alcohol all require avoidance during pregnancy.

Preferisco senza caffeina.

I prefer without caffeine.

Use in Italian bars or cafés when ordering coffee. Decaffeinated coffee ('decaffeinato') is widely available in Italy, unlike some other countries.

Evito il glutammato monosodico.

I avoid monosodium glutamate (MSG).

Use in restaurants where processed or Asian-influenced dishes may contain MSG. Traditional Italian cooking rarely uses MSG, which is more common in Chinese-Italian restaurants.

Preferisco prodotti biologici.

I prefer organic products.

Use in health-conscious restaurants, farm-to-table establishments, or organic food shops. Italy has a growing organic food movement, especially in Tuscany and Umbria.

Preferisco cibi senza conservanti.

I prefer foods without preservatives.

Use in specialty food shops or restaurants when choosing packaged items. In traditional Italian restaurants, this is less of a concern as fresh cooking is the norm.

Avete un menu per esigenze alimentari speciali?

Do you have a menu for special dietary needs?

Use as an opening question in restaurants when you have multiple or complex dietary needs. This signals to staff that you may need extra guidance.

Data la mia intolleranza, cosa mi consiglia?

Given my intolerance, what do you recommend?

Use after stating your intolerance to invite the waiter's expert recommendation. This collaborative approach often yields better results than trying to navigate the menu alone.

Avete la pizza senza glutine?

Do you have gluten-free pizza?

Use in pizzerias when you need a gluten-free option. Many Italian pizzerias now offer gluten-free pizza bases, though cross-contamination in flour-heavy kitchens can be a concern for celiacs.