Food can be incredible and some things we swear we could eat every day. But when certain things cannot enter your system, or be in the same room, it makes eating more of a challenge. These are just a few situations we get into.
1. Not being able to eat your favorite food
Who loved ice-cream back in the day? Me! But with an odd intolerance to dairy products that are not cooked, I will pay for my mistake if I eat it. Honestly, I push it eating cookie dough. It's not fun.
2. Limited menu selection
Ever had to order from only one section on a menu? Well, that is my mother's dilemma at Chinese, Thai, and most seafood joints. She's allergic to shrimp, lobster, and crab, and she carries a double-EpiPen. It's that bad. This is just a difficult situation in general.
3. Finding alternative snacks
Luckily, popsicles generally have no dairy in them. But allergies limit what snacks some people can eat. For example, many candies are made in a peanut factory, or near them. When you love a certain snack it can be difficult to find alternatives to fill a craving.
4. Having to clarify what you cannot have with your server
It just feels inconvenient to the kitchen staff and everyone else, but if it is your life vs taking the risk, your life will win.
5. Watching others eat what you loved
Over the summer my family went to an amazing little restaurant that had an ice-cream bar. I checked for sorbet twice before standing back and watching as they got milkshakes. It's almost like a part of me died, again, watching it. But we had other stuff at the house so I can't be too bitter about it.
6. Cooking creatively
When you can't even cook with one thing, there are always weird substitutes and solutions to the problem. Some people use vegan ingredients, and they seem to be just as tasty, and healthier. But in the long run adjusting to a different diet can take some time.
7. Being the guest that makes people cook other food
No one wants to be 'that' person, mostly because it is another person cooking and accommodating your body's 'poor life decisions'. And no matter how grateful you are, and how much you show it, it is still weird on occasion.
8. Cravings
Every now and then I want a Wendy's frosty. I cannot have their frosty's. As a kid, I would dunk my fries and nuggets in the chocolate goodness and feel nothing. When craving something that is off limits, one can be a little frustrated.
9. Finding a fix
I have tried two different dairy-free and sugar-free ice creams from the grocery store. Neither were good. One day something will taste just as good, if not better, and my stomach will not revolt. Or someone won't end up in the hospital. Again, these things take a while.
10. Being unsure of new things
This can be summed up in one sentence: a mine field. It feels like you are Sherlock Holmes when you have to look at all the ingredients and decide whether you should eat it.
11. People poking fun at you
Yes, I know, I'm aware what I eat might not be appealing. But this is my diet and I have nothing to be ashamed of. My body is just a pain. And, believe me, it annoys me more than it could ever annoy you.
12. When you finally find something you can eat
Will this upset my stomach? No? Finally! This always feels good.
