Either by choice or because of allergies, most likely we’ve all been through a time when we could not eat our favorite foods. But, just because we’re deprived, doesn’t mean our friends and family have to give up the good stuff. I’ve been through pretty much every dietary restriction due to allergies and diets, so I know the feeling well. It's funny how fruits and vegetables never seem to be on the “don’t eat” list. Here are moments you might know if you have a special diet.
1. “Guys, let’s order a pizza!”
OK, this is the most common. Whether you’re gluten-free, lactose intolerant or simply trying not to eat carbs, it doesn’t really matter: pizza covers all those categories. Let’s just generalize and say that if you’re trying to eat healthy and clean. Pizza is not in your diet. Still, whenever you’re in a situation where everyone is hungry, the first and most popular option is pizza, the food of the gods (and college students). Late or quick dinner? Pizza. Lots of people to feed? Pizza. What’s for lunch in the cafeteria? Pizza. It’s everywhere, whether you like it or not. Then there’s the discussion of toppings, which isn’t easy to stay out of. You have to say four crazy words: “I don’t eat pizza.” And everyone looks at you like you’re on fire.
2. Ice cream socials.
Social gatherings = food. Sorry, guys, there’s no way around that. And for some reason, when a bunch of people are supposed to meet for the first time, ice cream is the food of choice to bring them together. Except you. Because you’re either sugar-free, lactose intolerant or simply avoiding the extra calories. Again, you’re stuck in that awkward situation where you have to decline the food that it seems literally everyone else is eating. It's not simply as easy as saying you don't like the food because who doesn't like ice cream? Cue the questioning looks as they spoon the frozen treat you wish you could have into their mouths.
3. Late-night fast food runs.
It's late. You and your friends are hungry. Nothing's open. Except...drive-thru fast food. Fast food is full of carbs, gluten, sugar and everything other thing people try to stay away from. For your friends, there's nothing bad about a burger and fries at 1 a.m., but for you, it could mean discomfort and regret the next day. So now you're stuck in the car while everyone talks about what food they're ordering, while constantly checking in with, "are you sure you don't want anything?" It's nice of them to think of you, but all the asking just makes you feel worse about your restrictions. Sometimes it's hard to stay strong under the pressure.
4. Restaurants.
Ah, the menu. So many choices! And so many things that you can't eat. Allergies, vegetarianism, health diets, you name it. The things on the menu are usually within your requirements. Of course, you could fix this by, say, taking the chicken out of that pasta, or leaving the nuts off of the salad. Still, this means telling the waiter or waitress and trusting that the kitchen will adhere to your requests. Personally, I've had mostly good luck with getting exactly what I've ordered. But every once in a while, you have to send something back, because they put the cheese on the burger you ordered. Then you have to sit there while everyone else eats their perfectly good food while you wait for your correction.
5. Family gatherings.
Here comes the guilt. It's not that you don't want to eat Grandma's pie, it's simply that you can't. You remember the fond times when you could go to a family get-together and eat a little bit of everyone's special recipe. Now, you are older and wiser and, let's face it, a little sadder. You miss your aunt's famous cookies and the family sauce recipe over some classic pasta dish. You'd give anything to partake in the huge birthday cake. And, of course, everyone's going to ask you why you're not eating their food. Because they're your family, you feel the need to explain. So for the next family gathering, they make their famous dish with special ingredients just so you can eat it. It's not the same as from your childhood, but the effort is heartwarming with the added bonus that you can pretend you're eating a real cookie.
In a world where food is a huge part of the social construct, having special restrictions isn't an easy thing. I envy people who can eat whatever they want, whenever they want. But, it's easy to lose sight of your goals in a moment of weakness. My advice: just remember the consequences and stay strong!
