Italian Phrases for Food Allergies and Preferences

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When eating out, explain your dietary needs clearly and ask about ingredients and preparation. The phrases below distinguish preferences, intolerances, celiac disease and allergies.

Here is vocabulary for explaining dietary requirements and asking practical questions about a menu.

Ready? Let’s begin.

Vegetarianism – Vegetarianismo

Vegetarianism is the practice of abstaining from the consumption of meat, including red meat, poultry, seafood and the flesh of any other animal. In other words, vegetarians don’t eat products made from dead animals. 

If you follow this type of diet, say:

Sono vegetariano/ Sono vegetariana – I’m vegetarian.

Some soups, sauces and traditional dishes contain meat or fish even when these are not obvious from the dish’s name. Ask whether the broth is brodo vegetale (vegetable stock) or brodo di carne (meat stock). These menu terms identify animal ingredients:

• prosciutto (cured ham);
• pancetta (cured pig meat, bacon);
• guanciale (cured pork jowl);
• würstel (wurst);
• bottarga (salted, cured fish roe);

Avoid dishes containing them.

Now, let’s have a look at the different types of vegetarianism.

Lacto-ovo vegetarianism – Dieta latto-ovo-vegetariana

Lacto-ovo vegetarians do not eat meat or fish, but include eggs and dairy products. In Italian: dieta latto-ovo-vegetariana.

Ovo vegetarianism – Dieta ovo-vegetariana

An ovo-vegetarian diet allows for the consumption of eggs and vegetables, but not milk, dairy products and ingredients made from milk, such as casein and whey. In other words, ovo-vegetarians don’t eat meat, poultry, fish, milk and dairy products, but do eat eggs and products containing eggs.

In Italian, this type of diet is called dieta ovo – vegetariana.

Lacto vegetarianism – Dieta latto-vegetariana

A lacto-vegetarian diet includes veggies and dairy products such as milk, cheese, yogurt, butter, cream and kefir. Lacto-vegetarians don’t eat meat, fish, poultry, eggs and products containing eggs, such as many baked goods.

In Italian, this type of diet is called dieta latto-vegetariana. 

Pescatarianism – Pescetarianismo

Pescatarians, also called pesco-vegetarian, avoid meat but may eat fish, and consume dairy and eggs. In other words, seafood is the only source of meat in an otherwise lacto-ovo vegetarian diet.

It is called pescetarianismo, pescatarianismo or pescovegetarianismo in Italian. If you follow this type of diet, say: 

Sono pescetariano / Sono pescetariana – I’m a pescatarian.

Pollo-vegetarianism

Pollo-vegetarians avoid red meat and pork products, but may eat poultry, including chicken, turkey, goose, duck and quail. This is not a vegetarian diet because poultry is animal flesh. People who follow this type of diet are called pollotariani in Italian.

Veganism – Veganismo

Veganism is the practice of abstaining completely from the consumption and use of any products derived from animals. No matter if it is food-related, such as meat, cloth-related, such as wool, or anything else. 

Vegans don’t eat food of animal origin and any by-products of animal slaughter, which means that they abstain from the consumption of meat, poultry, fish and any animal products, including eggs, milk, dairy products, honey, gelatin, lard, broths, suet, gravy and aspic.

If you want to say that you follow a vegan plant-based diet, simply say:

Sono vegano/ Sono vegana – I’m vegan.

These dishes can be prepared without animal ingredients, but recipes and toppings vary. Fresh pasta may contain eggs; soups may contain meat stock, and cheese or butter may be added. Ask about the actual preparation:

pasta con pomodoro fresco e basilico(tomato basil pasta)	with fresh tomatoes and basil
penne all’arrabbiata	penne pasta with diced tomatoes, crushed red chili pepper flakes, minced garlic and fresh basil;
spaghetti aglio, olio e peperoncino	with garlic, oil and chili pepper
farinata genovese	made from chickpea flour, oil and salt
pasta e fagioli (bean and pasta soup)	a classic soup with pasta and borlotti beans
caponata	a Sicilian version of ratatouille, made with eggplants, olives, capers and raisins
carciofi alla romana	an iconic dish of Rome, in which marinated artichokes are cooked in white wine
pappa al pomodoro	a Tuscan soup made of bread, tomatoes, basil, garlic and olive oil
ribollita toscana	a thick soup made with stale bread, cabbage, beans, carrots, onions and potatoes
polenta ai funghi porcini	with porcini mushrooms
fagioli all’uccelletto	with cannellini beans, garlic and tomato sauce

As you can see, Italian cuisine and veganism are not incompatible at all!

The contorni section lists side dishes, including verdure/ortaggi (vegetables) and legumi (legumes). Ask about butter, cheese, stock and other ingredients: Italian cooking uses both olive oil and animal fats, depending on the dish and region.

Let’s have a look at the most common subgroups of veganism. 

Raw veganism – Crudismo

A raw vegan diet centers on uncooked plant foods. Crudismo means raw-food eating more broadly and does not by itself specify veganism. To be explicit, say Seguo una dieta crudista vegana.

Seguo una dieta crudista vegana – I follow a raw vegan diet.

Fruitarianism – Fruttarismo

Fruitarian diets emphasize fruit; practices vary. In Italian: fruttariano/fruttariana.

If you follow a fruitarian diet, say:

Sono fruttariano / Sono fruttariana – I’m a fruitarian.

Beeganism

“Beegan” is an informal label for someone who otherwise follows a plant-based diet but consumes honey or other bee products. This differs from standard vegan practice.

Freeganism – Freeganismo

Freeganismo refers to recovering discarded food and reducing consumption or purchases. It is not necessarily vegan, and its principles and practices vary.

These labels are not all widely recognized. Explaining what you eat or avoid is often clearer than relying on a niche diet label.

Locavorianism – Locavorismo

Locavorianism, locavorismo in Italian, is the practice of eating only food that was grown close to where you live, in order to support local farmers and make a positive impact on the environment. 

People whose diet consists primarily or exclusively of locally grown or produced food are called locavores, locavori in Italian. As you might have noticed, the word locavore sounds similar to carnivore (carnivoro in Italian) or omnivore (onnivoro in Italian). Locavores actually eat food of both plant and animal origin.

Macrobiotic diet – Dieta macrobiotica

A macrobiotic diet, dieta macrobiotica in Italian, consists largely of vegetables, whole grains, cereals, beans, legumes and sea vegetables. It allows for the consumption of seeds, nuts and occasionally fish and seafood. The main principles of this type of dietary practice are to:

• reduce animal products;
• consume meals in moderation;
• eat locally grown in-season foods.

This is a description of diet vocabulary, not a claim that meat, eggs or dairy contain “toxins.” To describe a macrobiotic diet, say:

Seguo una dieta macrobiotica – I follow a macrobiotic diet.

Lactose intolerance – Intolleranza al lattosio

Lactose intolerance, intolleranza al lattosio in Italian, is a digestive disorder caused by the inability to digest lactose, the main carbohydrate in dairy products. It can cause various symptoms, including abdominal cramps, bloating and diarrhea. 

Make sure you specify your dietary restrictions when eating out or at somebody else’s home:

Sono intollerante al lattosio – I’m lactose intolerant. 

Lactose intolerance is different from a milk-protein allergy. Senza formaggio means “without cheese”; it does not rule out milk, cream or butter. Seafood is not automatically dairy-free. Ask about all ingredients relevant to your own requirements.

Celiac disease – Celiachia

Celiac disease (celiachia) is an immune-mediated condition triggered by gluten. It is different from a wheat allergy. When ordering, explain both your dietary requirement and the need to avoid cross-contact.

Sono celiaco / Sono celiaca. — I have celiac disease.

Seguo una dieta senza glutine. — I follow a gluten-free diet.

Questo piatto contiene frumento, orzo o segale? — Does this dish contain wheat, barley or rye?

Come evitate la contaminazione con il glutine? — How do you prevent cross-contact with gluten?

Rice, legumes and other naturally gluten-free ingredients do not make every prepared dish safe: sauces, seasonings and shared utensils can introduce gluten. Sausages, desserts and composite dishes need ingredient and preparation checks. Certified gluten-free oats may be suitable under your clinician’s guidance; ordinary oats can be contaminated.

Gluten-free pasta, bread and pizza are available at many Italian venues. The Associazione Italiana Celiachia’s eating-out program is a useful resource for finding participating establishments. Confirm current arrangements with the venue.

Food allergies – Allergie alimentari

Food allergies, allergie alimentari in Italian, are immune system reactions that occur after eating certain foods. The most common food allergy symptoms include:

• swelling of the face, tongue or other parts of the body
• abdominal pain
• itchy rash
• eczema
• dizziness
• low blood pressure
• tingling in the mouth
•  trouble breathing
• anaphylaxis in more severe cases.

Here are Italian names of foods that may need to be discussed with your server. This is vocabulary, rather than a complete list of common allergens:

• crostacei (crustaceans), such as gamberetti (shrimps), granchi (crabs) and aragosta (lobster);
• noci (walnuts);
• nocciole (hazelnuts);
• arachidi (peanuts);
• uova (eggs);
• soia (soy);
• mandorle (almonds);
• mele (apples);
• banane (bananas);
• albicocche (apricots);
• ciliegie (cherries);
• pesche (peaches);
• some spices and herbs, such as pepe nero (black pepper), prezzemolo (parsley), cumino (cumin), semi di finocchio (fennel) and coriandolo (coriander).

When dining at a restaurant or when invited to dinner at somebody’s home, alert your server or the host of your food allergies by telling them:

Ho una grave allergia alimentare a… – I have a severe food allergy to…  

È molto importante che le pietanze non contengano… neanche in minima parte – It is crucial that the food does not contain even a very small amount of…

Ask about ingredients and preparation, including oils and shared equipment. Do not assume a restaurant uses a particular oil or that a dish is safe because of its name.

Useful emergency vocabulary: reazione allergica (allergic reaction), anafilassi (anaphylaxis), adrenalina (adrenaline/epinephrine), autoiniettore (auto-injector). Follow the emergency plan supplied by your clinician; antihistamines and cortisone are not substitutes for emergency treatment of anaphylaxis.

That’s all for today. Practice your Italian while letting people know of your dietary requirements, preferences, intolerances or allergies.