For my senior year in high school I decided to spend it living on the equator. It was a grand time and you can read all about it here, but when I came back to America something was not right.
I went to doctor after doctor and no one could tell me exactly what was wrong. After a few weeks of being poked and prodded, the general consensus was that certain foods cause me to have allergic reactions, rendering me irritable, uncomfortable and in severe pain.
My own customized UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD BE CONSUMED list includes gluten, eggs, and milk, staples of a pizza filled, ice cream laden american diet that I had so been looking forward too. It was difficult at first but after a few months I learned to love quinoa and appreciate a good gluten free cookie (rare but not impossible to find).
Since my diagnosis I’ve compiled a list of lessons learned that whether you are new to the whole “food allergies” or a seasoned pro, can benefit from.
1 . Do your research
Understand the ways that your allergies are often hidden in foods. Lots of salad dressings, sausages, soy sauces and gummy candies have wheat. Some restaurants will also use sour cream in their guacamole or lactose fillers in their sauces to make them go further.
2. Look up the restaurant before you go
Before I go out to eat I always make sure that there is something on the menu I can enjoy or if they have a gluten free, vegan option available. I have yet to go somewhere where there is absolutely nothing I can have (There were a few times when that something was only a garden salad), but it’s always nice to avoid going out only to be hungry afterward. Thai, Indian and Mexican Food restaurants almost always have gluten free vegan options.
3. Never trust anyone
Dramatic, but true. Most of the time people are just not as aware of what you can and can’t eat so never accept food without being 100% sure it doesn’t have something you are allergic too.
4. Laugh
Sometimes it gets pretty frustrating when you have to constantly be hyper-aware of what seems like a simple action of eating. Being able to laugh and make jokes about your allergies and lack of "gluten-ness" (or whatever your allergy is) can help lighten the mood. My friends are great for this.
5. Always have something on hand
Social interactions, especially in college, almost always revolve around food (especially pizza). I always make sure that I have something handy that I can have so that I can still feel included.
Food Allergies can be tough but not impossible to live with. I'm right there with you!
