There’s one thing that’s really getting on my nerves of late. I tweeted about it a couple of weeks ago, but it’s always been a niggle of mine. The latest incident started with a throwaway comment said by a shop assistant, but it actually just goes to show the lack of understanding surrounding food allergies.
I personally suffer really badly with food allergies – fresh fruits such as apples and pears cause me to react basically have a minor anaphylactic episode. Yet, I can have tinned pears or cooked apples, without an issue. I initially thought it was in the skins, so I attempted to have them peeled. Still no difference. I can eat them cooked/tinned, so why not fresh? Apparently it’s the breakdown of the enzymes.
The worst thing for me are salad peppers, which are in listed in EVERYTHING! One of my goals this year is to eat more healthily Trying to diet, when you can’t eat these is very difficult!
If these darling little vegetables are cut, cooked or eaten next to me I start to react. My throat closes, my eyes start to stream and I can’t breathe.
But, I find ways around it, I always cook fresh where I can. If I see something I like the look of which has peppers in, I’ll prepare my own minus the peppers.
What is annoying though is the fact because I can’t eat certain foods people think I’m being fussy. I was in a supermarket the other week, and we were looking through and discussing various foods – PRIVATELY between myself and my grandmother. When this shop assistant turns round and says – ‘oooh she knows what she wants, she’s very fussy isn’t she?!’ then preceded to talk about teenagers (which I’m not) and junk food.
Exhibit number one of what not to say to an allergy sufferer! (Especially when you don’t know anything else about them)
Due to the never-ending list of health issues I have, I am very, very sensitive about my weight and eating anyway. But for someone to saying I’m ‘fussing’ is absolutely disgusting. She doesn’t know me, she doesn’t know the damage that, that comment could have caused me.
Do they actually know how difficult it is? to go out, and order a meal that doesn’t consist of an allergen for me. This sometimes means, my family and friends need to change their choice so I don’t react to what they’re eating too. I’m lucky that my closest friends and my boyfriend understand.
That still doesn’t change the fact I constantly feel like people are judging me with what I’m eating. Or better yet, comment on what I’m eating. I’ve heard it all – “why you eating that”? “Oh my! You’re actually eating something that’s healthy”?, “are you not allergic to that too”?
Honestly, I’m really tempted to start questioning their meal choices next time. If they’re prepared to try and embarrass me, then maybe I should embarrass them? I’ll just have to start questioning their meal choices too.
But my highlight, which I’m going to close this post on is – “you’re not going to lose weight by eating this rubbish”. I know I’m overweight, and I want to change that. But when pretty much everything throws up an allergen, it’s very mentally tiring and easy to give in. There is very little education surrounding whatever allergy I’m suffering from. Looking at healthy recipies they all include allergy triggers. I could find something to replace these things with but it then wouldn’t have the same effect that the dish was designed to do.
Do you suffer from any allergies that make food / toiletry shopping difficult?
How do you cope?
I’m not 100% sure if it would help, but you could try taking digestive enzymes. They come in a pill or capsule, and can help break down hard to digest food.
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Oooh thanks! I’ll look more into it 😊
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I find it awful how people can be so quick to comment on something when listening in on someone else’s conversation, never mind being judgemental, I don’t think you can get any ruder than that!
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I hate it, it’s actually even worse when they show no shame in doing so either by making some snide remark
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Allergies are the worst! I get anaphylactic shock to fish and nuts, and then have a mild allergy to most fruits and vegetables alongside some animals ! But the anxiety coupled with those allergies is the worst part. Shopping and even now having to cook for myself at University, is such a struggle because I have to warn my flatmates about what they’re buying and I feel like it can get rather annoying for them but I can’t not. And just finding healthy options for me to eat, it’s so hard.
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I hear you girl!
It’s so frustrating when people think we’re trying to be difficult! But honestly, it’s sooooo depressing, if we could why would we say we couldn’t!
Abby x
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I know right!!! It’s the worst !
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I can’t have dairy and that can be bad enough getting accomodated when eating out. And it’s so easy these days with so many other options to use instead of dairy.
Thanks for sharing your experience 🙂
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No problem 🙂
And it’s so awful when people just don’t understand!
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How annoying is it that people are so quick to judge! I’m sorry that you have to deal with this 😦 x
https://www.hebahpervaiz.co.uk/
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It’s okay 🙂 I’m usually used to it to be fair, as are family and friends. I just became really shocked by a complete stranger offering her judgement! X
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Hi, as someone with an allergy I totally understand this post. It can be so frustrating when people just think you are fussy or it’s a fad. I recently went in holiday to see someone get their gluten free bread, only then to have something with gluten in. Yet the staff had to prepare it seperately. So doesn’t help, sorry if I am moaning but it doesn’t help…
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This is exactly why there needs to be a better education on allergies – people who genuinely can’t have things, end up judged on the actions of those who are using it as and when they please. (If that makes sense)
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Sure does 😊
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I have a friend who has a severe tomato allergy. I know she struggles a lot to find dishes to eat — tomatoes are used as a base in SO many things.
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Don’t envy her at all! As you say tomatoes are in so many things! How does she manage to avoid it? 😩
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Oh Abby, that sounds so hard! What awful things people say to you! I don’t suffer from allergies thankfully but I have friends who do and it can be so frustrating for them. What you eat and why is no one else’s business!
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Exactly! And in all honesty, if it was down to “fussing” I’d have given up aaaages ago! It’d be too tiring haha!
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