So, what do you eat?
With a dairy and gluten intolerance, I thought it would be hard to navigate the food world, but I was wrong.
I always felt so lucky I could eat anything I wanted until freshman year of high school when I started experiencing migraines that came with a fever and. I could only get rid of them by lying in the dark, swaddled in my comforter and waiting it out.
My parents became worried after a couple months of missing classes and swim practices, so they decided that it was time for me to try the elimination diet.
The elimination diet consists of omitting a food or a food group that is believed to cause an adverse food reaction. I started with dairy because my mom is also dairy intolerant.
It only took about two weeks to realize dairy is what was causing me to develop migraines. I knew it was my sign to take this food elimination to the next level.
It was difficult adjusting at first because I loved cheese, milk, ice cream, and really anything with dairy. My dad, who does most of the cooking, adjusted his recipes to fit my needs, along with my mom’s, so I never felt like I wasn’t missing out on anything when eating at home.
We discovered that there are so many vegan recipes that allowed me to eat my favorites, like mac and cheese or lasagna. There was a slight taste difference, but nothing I wouldn’t eat. I felt relieved I had finally found what was causing my migraines and that I had people who would help me adjust.
A year later, I started to develop occasional stomach pain that felt like I was being stabbed, I later realized it was intense indigestion. It was time for the elimination diet again along with monitoring when I got stomach pains.
I didn’t have to worry about cutting out dairy, so my parents and I looked at the other top allergens, like gluten, eggs, soy, nuts. Just like my first food sensitivity, it didn’t take long for me to notice that whenever I ate food with gluten, my stomach lit up in pain. It was devastating at first.
What did this mean for my love of baking, being able to easily eat at a restaurant, and indulge in my grandma’s pitas, babka, and desserts?
Being gluten free was harder than being diary free at first. There were less products and a lot of trial and error. My mom has a gluten intolerance as well, which made eating at home even easier.
We had a starting place rather than starting from scratch, however, our first year was all about figuring out which bread, snacks, and flour were the best. I ate a lot of gross gluten free muffins and slices of bread that were the size of my hand.
I still felt lucky my family could pivot so easily to buying gluten free products and were extremely helpful in making sure I still could eat what I love.
Although my family was extra supportive, having two food sensitivities makes eating out and being around friends hard. There aren’t many places that have gluten free options, and when they do it’s more expensive.
harbor immense guilt when I go out with friends because it’s harder and more expensive to choose a restaurant. Food sensitivities aren’t something you can ignore, yet I always feel incredibly bad when we can’t go to a cheap pizza place or when it takes 15 extra minutes just to find a restaurant.
I’ve slowly realized over the years that I was missing out on memories. I started going more and more but felt ashamed/guilty.
Food sensitivities aren’t easy, but they can be accommodated. There are times where I have nothing to order, have to bring my own food, or have to eat beforehand; there are times I feel left out.
It’s taken me five years to not have overwhelming guilt surrounding my food sensitivities. Sometimes I still feel left out when I go out to restaurants. I have to remind myself that the people who care for me will make the changes that I need, and it isn’t this horrible baggage.
As gluten and dairy intolerances become more common place, products and restaurants that accommodate my sensitivities are becoming more widespread and tastier.
So, what do I eat? There are so many foods that don’t contain any of my intolerances, and there are many products that accommodate my food needs.
There is no need to feel guilty about your dietary restrictions, but if you need to eat your feelings, then go for a pint Ben & Jerry’s non-diary ice cream.