Common Special Dietary Requirements for Mexican Catering
Mexican cuisine is incredibly popular around the world because of its bold and vibrant flavors. There are endless options for tasty Mexican food, from tangy tomatoes to spicy peppers, to creamy beans and cheese.
When ordering catering, customers should not only think about taste and quality—they must also consider other crucial aspects like service and how accommodating caterers are when it comes to dietary requirements and restrictions.
Over 40% of Americans follow specific nutrition rules, whether by preference, ideology, or because of allergies and restrictions. So before you make the next catering order for your family, friends, business, or a big event, you must closely consider these dietary requirements.
Dietary Requirements Guide
Here are some of the most common dietary requirements associated with Mexican cuisine, along with their definitions and what you can order.
Lactose Intolerance
Lactose is a complex sugar in cow's milk and most dairy products. Lactose intolerance is a common digestive condition that occurs when the body produces insufficient lactose-digesting enzymes. It is characterized by digestive symptoms such as cramping, diarrhea, and bloating.
What To Eat:
Order dishes free of milk and other dairy products. At Taco Ocho, we have plenty of options specifically on our vegan menu, including Tacos, Quesadillas, and tostadas.
Egg Intolerance/Egg Allergy
Egg intolerance is caused by the body's inability to absorb egg white protein. The immune system responds defensively by producing antibodies to fight the protein, triggering inflammation, nausea, rashes, allergic rhinitis, diarrhea, and headaches.
What To Eat:
If you want something similar to an egg breakfast taco, but can’t eat eggs, you should try our Vegan Breakfast items made with Chickpea scramble. We have a few options including a vegan breakfast taco and vegan breakfast burrito. If you are craving brunch we serve our Vegan Dream on weekends till 3pm.
Shellfish Allergy or Intolerance
Shellfish allergies are incredibly common and can be life-threatening. Crab, lobster, shrimp, and scallops are shellfish varieties that might trigger an allergic reaction.
Symptoms included rashes, itching, and swelling. Asthma, anaphylaxis (a life-threatening allergic reaction), and gastrointestinal difficulties are more extreme reactions.
What To Eat:
At Taco Ocho we have one taco that contains Shellfish. Our Ancho Garlic Shrimp Taco. Everything else on our menu is good to go!
Gluten Allergy
Gluten allergy or celiac disease is characterized by an abnormal immune reaction to gluten, which is present in wheat, barley, and rye, in bread, pasta, cereals, salad dressings, and even in soy sauce, packaged baked goods, and vegetable broth.
Common symptoms include stomach pain, bloating, diarrhea or constipation, chronic fatigue, headaches, and joint pain.
What To Eat:
Most ingredients used in Mexican food are naturally gluten-free (rice, avocados, beans, corn flour). Taco Ocho ensures that their nachos and corn tortilla tacos are gluten-free, as they avoid cross-contamination during preparation. All of our tacos with the exception of our Beer Battered Fish Taco can be modified to Gluten Free with a corn tortilla. Check out everything that is Gluten Free at Taco Ocho.
Other Dietary Restrictions
In addition to intolerance and allergies, the following diets have become incredibly popular and should be accommodated:
Paleo Diet
The Paleo Diet is based on the dietary habits of Paleolithic people. This focuses on consuming natural, unprocessed, and high-quality meals that do not contain grains, dairy, sugar, and processed ingredients.
What To Eat:
Avoid Mexican tortillas, chips, cheese, rice, and beans. Most vegetable-based options are very paleo-friendly, such as salads or guacamole.
Vegan Diet
Vegans do not consume any animal products at all, including eggs, dairy, meat, and fish. They aim to avoid all types of cruelty-based ingredients as well, such as honey, whey, gelatin, albumin, and more.
In contrast, some vegetarians consume eggs and dairy products.
What To Eat:
Taco Ocho has dozens of vegan dishes including tacos, quesadillas, tostadas, and other breakfast and brunch items.
Order Mexican Food from Everyone From Taco Ocho!
Before you order a round of boxed lunches, group meals, or a buffet for your workplace or an event, you must take into account the special dietary requirements of those that will be served. To demonstrate inclusivity and provide the very best for your guests, talk to your caterer about the options at hand before finalizing your order.
The catering industry is constantly evolving, so there are more options than ever for party hosts looking for ways to make their events as unique and enjoyable as possible.
If you want to make sure all of your guests enjoy every bite of Mexican food at your next event, get in touch with Taco Ocho today! Our world-class team is always eager to accommodate dietary restrictions of any kind.