Food Allergies - Enough!

[chartle]

About the "raw vegetable thing": I can no longer eat raw white/yellow onion. I get horrible stomach pains for several hours. It just started last year. Cooked onions are fine. But... I probably just have an ulcer.

I just realized I guess my problem with tomatos is a raw issue. I can't eat them raw but only processed. So no problem with catsup, spaghetti sauce and the like. I think I can eat them if cooked but not sure how much cooked.

 

[BSmithington]

I developed a ton of allergies in my forties (didn't realize until last year). It sucks and your friend may be still trying to navigate the waters and it's really hard to eat out and not be a pain. She does sound a bit high maintenance, but sometimes I worry that my friends feel the same about me.

Some days I too want to write a review of someplace because they seem so unable to accommodate even minor alterations. Sometimes I eat a plate of lettuce, because the chef isn't even willing to make me a plain chicken breast. Sometimes I just play Russian roulette and suffer the rash I will get.

I'm sorry she ruined your meal, but I'm really glad that my friends have been supportive, and appreciate when I make compromises and are willing to compromise themselves.

I suggest you don't eat dinner with them again. You'll be happier and if she could tell how bothered your were she will probably be happier too.

I see what you are saying. But at the same time if I am Chef and I've spent hours preparing my menu and sourcing my ingredients why should I have to make modifications. And I'm not talking about a chain or someone requesting a dressing on the side. I'm talking about an item being created off menu.

 

[BSmithington]

I just realized I guess my problem with tomatos is a raw issue. I can't eat them raw but only processed. So no problem with catsup, spaghetti sauce and the like. I think I can eat them if cooked but not sure how much cooked.

I wonder sometimes if it's the actual fruit/vegetable or the type of pesticide used. I try to stick to organic but the term organic can mean a lot of different things.

 

[chartle]

I wonder sometimes if it's the actual fruit/vegetable or the type of pesticide used. I try to stick to organic but the term organic can mean a lot of different things.

I've had it for years, but no raw veggies seems so broad of a allergy. Most people don't even know what is or isn't a vegetable. So I'm really allergic to a berry aka a fruit.

 

[okeydokey]

I see what you are saying. But at the same time if I am Chef and I've spent hours preparing my menu and sourcing my ingredients why should I have to make modifications. And I'm not talking about a chain or someone requesting a dressing on the side. I'm talking about an item being created off menu.

Maybe because the chef considers their job is to offer good service to customers. If it doesn't bother the Chef, why does it bother you?

I realize in this case, you have a friend who is unbearable all the time and this is just another example.

 

[Ismo]

I wonder sometimes if it's the actual fruit/vegetable or the type of pesticide used. I try to stick to organic but the term organic can mean a lot of different things.

I'm starting to wonder this myself. I have developed an allergy to cucumber skin of all things! I can't touch them with out my hands becoming super itchy to the point where I want to burn them off. I didn't realize it was the cucumber for about a week and I kept putting it in my smoothies and within 5 minutes my scalp, throat, and hands would itch so badly. DH then tried cutting the skin off of the cucumber for me and I didn't have a problem cutting up the cucumber after that. So with some experimenting we realized it was the skin on the cucumber. A very strange one for me!

 

[AustinTink]

I get all that. I just wonder about the people that are allergic enough to shellfish that they will die; walking into a place that serves shellfish. It just seems really irresponsible.

Give me a break. I don't go to seafood restaurants ever. But, name any restaurant these days that doesn't have at least one shrimp dish on the menu. It's unavoidable. I'm not going to stay home and never go out to please people like you who are sick of hearing about food allergies. Until you live with an illness like mine don't throw out words like irresponsible.

 

[BSmithington]

Maybe because the chef considers their job is to offer good service to customers. If it doesn't bother the Chef, why does it bother you?

I realize in this case, you have a friend who is unbearable all the time and this is just another example.

Most of the Chefs I've dealt with consider their food a form of art. So it's almost insulting to request modifications. Most of the high-end or trendy restaurants we visit are to sample what the Chef has created. I want to try their food as they intended.

 

[mom2AidanAndEli]

The one that gets me is the "I can't be withing 100 yards of anyone who's even thought about having a peanut butter sandwich for lunch!" I understand there are real allergies and some severe consequences. But you can't tell me some of these aren't just overblown. If a person is really so allergic that just being near someone who ate peanut butter for lunch could kill them, how do they go anywhere????? How can you be 100% sure the person in front of you in line didn't just have some peanut butter crackers? Sitting near someone in a movie, riding an elevator, on a bus, on a ride at Disney, anywhere you're near people could result in a life-threatening exposure. But yet other kids in school can't have a peanut butter sandwich for lunch for fear of killing someone.

And don't even get me started on the gluten thing! I totally understand celiac and REAL gluten intolerance. But it's just the latest fad. In a few years, it won't even be a "thing" anymore. All those people will be miraculously cured--and on to the next disease fad.

 

[JoeA]

Distilled alcohols and wine do not have gluten, so unless she was drinking beer, she was probably fine.

Many flavored rums and vodkas contain gluten, however.

 

[mr.bungle]

I have some food restrictions. I don't always adhere to them but I won't die. The thing is, you shouldn't be dining out if tou have extreme food restrictions and especially not with other people. Lastly, you are not entitled to whine about the food made special or off menu because you don't like it. Figure out s other way to socialize and eat at home. It's not rocket surgery.

 

[Miskey]

My daughter and I were eating at Le Cellier and were seated next to a man and woman whose table was extremely close to ours. The chef came out to talk to her about what she could have. She said she wanted the cheese soup, and the chef said that with her issues, it was unfortunately something she would not be able to eat. She made her male companion order the soup, took it from him after it was brought to the table and proceeded to eat every bite.

Far too many people are addicted to attention, and having food allergies or intolerances are a great way to get attention. The louder someone is about their allergies, the more I believe they have allergies that were diagnosed by Dr. Google.

FTR, my husband is highly allergic to jalapenos. If there is any doubt by looking at the menu, we simply ask to be sure that there are no jalapenos in whatever he orders. No drama, no attention seeking, no problems

 

[ashley0139]

Many flavored rums and vodkas contain gluten, however.

I have never run into a flavored rum or vodka I couldn't drink (and I've had many). I guess there is a possibility, though I wouldn't say "many."

 

[ashley0139]

My daughter and I were eating at Le Cellier and were seated next to a man and woman whose table was extremely close to ours. The chef came out to talk to her about what she could have. She said she wanted the cheese soup, and the chef said that with her issues, it was unfortunately something she would not be able to eat. She made her male companion order the soup, took it from him after it was brought to the table and proceeded to eat every bite.

Far too many people are addicted to attention, and having food allergies or intolerances are a great way to get attention. The louder someone is about their allergies, the more I believe they have allergies that were diagnosed by Dr. Google.

FTR, my husband is highly allergic to jalapenos. If there is any doubt by looking at the menu, we simply ask to be sure that there are no jalapenos in whatever he orders. No drama, no attention seeking, no problems

I've found at Disney that I actually have to UNDERSTATE my allergies. They are so over conscious about it that at times they make no sense. I'm sure that's necessary and desired for people who have life threatening allergies, but they go over the top. If there is a slight chance of cross contamination of something, I will take a risk. To me, it's worth it to be able to enjoy eating out at Disney. My condition is not life threatening. I have actually been refused food that I, an adult, said I would still eat even after he explained the potential risks. I am an adult and can make decisions about my health.

I'm not saying that's what happened with this woman, but it is a very real possibility at Disney restaurants.

 

[Miskey]

I've found at Disney that I actually have to UNDERSTATE my allergies. They are so over conscious about it that at times they make no sense. I'm sure that's necessary and desired for people who have life threatening allergies, but they go over the top. If there is a slight chance of cross contamination of something, I will take a risk. To me, it's worth it to be able to enjoy eating out at Disney. My condition is not life threatening. I have actually been refused food that I, an adult, said I would still eat even after he explained the potential risks. I am an adult and can make decisions about my health.

I'm not saying that's what happened with this woman, but it is a very real possibility at Disney restaurants.

One of her issues was gluten. I certainly no expert, but pretty sure the cheese soup would be out for multiple reasons.

 

[3Gsandme]

So, here's the issue. My daughter has a class 6 peanut allergy. You can google that to find out what it means, but in a nutshell, she is AS allergic, by blood, as you can be to peanuts. She's a 100 out of 100. We spent 12 years managing it and, let me tell you, it's not easy. Yes, we avoided some restaurants for years because they just weren't safe. Dd had to skip five guys or texas road house. It was too dangerous. She recently completed desensitization and life is a lot different for her now and we're thankful for how much easier her and our lives are.

When you start talking about food allergies, people start making the "wise" suggestion to "not go there" or "keep your kids at home" or "homeschool". They want to know how we "go to the playground" or do any normal things. The answer is, we have to do a great amount of risk assessment to decide what is worth it and what isn't. It's awful. I wouldn't wish it on anyone. Ever.

It is nearly impossible to go someplace that has NO nuts at all. Dd was only allergic to peanuts (which are NOT nuts, btw) but all nuts were considered unsafe due to processing and cross contamination. We made adjustments. We asked questions. We talked to chefs and servers and managers to make sure dd was as safe as she could be. Why didn't we keep her home? Because that was no way to live and it was our job as her parents to guide her into living life as an allergic person.

Now, we never ever complained if it took longer to make sure her food was safe. That's stupid. Please, take your time. Wash things again. Double check. Be sure. Take all the time you need to help us help her. We're more than willing to wait. We understand that allergies might limit our menu. Again, that's okay. We understand. Please, double check again. Part of managing an allergy is being patient and managing risk. Please don't assume that because an allergic person dines someplace where his or her allergens are served means that they're not being safe and managing their allergy. That's just ignorant.

 

[diznygirl]

Unfortunately that's on you. It is not a right to eat out at restaurants. Again if ingesting soy kills you I would not eat out at all. There is just too much risk that someones hand brushed against something or something spilled. It is not the world's duty to keep you alive.

Wait, what? My son can never eat out? Yes, it is his responsibility to know what his allergies are. And asking the chef if they use sunflower oil, or mentioning the pine nuts or walnuts that sometimes dress up a dish can help him avoid those things. It's MANAGEMENT not AVOIDANCE.

And what is wrong with the community of people in this world helping to keep others alive? What a stupid thing to say!

 

[bookgirl]

I see what you are saying. But at the same time if I am Chef and I've spent hours preparing my menu and sourcing my ingredients why should I have to make modifications. And I'm not talking about a chain or someone requesting a dressing on the side. I'm talking about an item being created off menu.

And that's fine, as long as you are willing to man up to that and tell me that you are not wiling to make modifications to your menu for the sake of your art, and then be willing to accept that I won't be back, and there's a possibility that my friends won't be back.

There are some places that state it right there on the menu that there are no modifications. I have never argued with a server or chef because they told me they weren't able to make a modification. In that case I found what I could or would eat and went on with my day. But if someone came out and told me that my allergy was an offense to there art, I'd just leave, well actually first I'd laugh, then I'd leave.

I've never been to a restaurant I haven't been willing to walk out on, but I don't eat as an art form (and I know that some people do and I'm okay with that I consider books to be art forms so I'm much pickier about what I read then what I eat), I eat because I'm hungry and it tastes good.

 

[BSmithington]

And that's fine, as long as you are willing to man up to that and tell me that you are not wiling to make modifications to your menu for the sake of your art, and then be willing to accept that I won't be back, and there's a possibility that my friends won't be back.

There are some places that state it right there on the menu that there are no modifications. I have never argued with a server or chef because they told me they weren't able to make a modification. In that case I found what I could or would eat and went on with my day. But if someone came out and told me that my allergy was an offense to there art, I'd just leave, well actually first I'd laugh, then I'd leave.

I've never been to a restaurant I haven't been willing to walk out on, but I don't eat as an art form (and I know that some people do and I'm okay with that I consider books to be art forms so I'm much pickier about what I read then what I eat), I eat because I'm hungry and it tastes good.

Fair enough. I only take issue with the people that choose to be at a restaurant and demand the staff make accommodations.

 

[Dizlvr]

I wonder sometimes if it's the actual fruit/vegetable or the type of pesticide used. I try to stick to organic but the term organic can mean a lot of different things.

Its called oral allergy syndrome. If a person has seasonal allergies to certain trees, they can get a reaction when eating raw fruits or vegetables that have similiar proteins. The body is tricked into thinking its the allergen.
Cooking changes the proteins that is why people can eat a cooked vegetable or fruit without any reaction. I'm not sure how long it has to be cooked, I guess just long enough to change the protein so the body isn't fooled by it.
My ds has this, and its a PIA because he was such a raw fruit lover when he was younger, now he can only eat blueberries raw.