Food allergy club 🙌🏻

balake4242
balake4242 Posts: 7 Member
in Introduce Yourself
Hello all!

I wanted to start a thread to see if there is anyone out there that also struggles with managing food allergies while also trying to be fit! I know it’s been a particularly large hurdle for myself and I’ve definitely had to adjust and be flexible with my diet to achieve my goals. Is there anyone else out there that has dealt with something similar?!
About 6 years ago I struggled with horrible stomach pains almost every time I would eat. It became so unbearable that I reduced my eating to the bare minimum and it became really unhealthy for me. I ended up finding out that I’m allergic to peppers and spices. This was a very difficult hurdle for me;
1. I love spicy food!!
2. Being able to use condiments like hot sauce that have zero calories, but add great flavor, was something I utilized a lot.

I’ve definitely had my share of struggles with being forced to adjust my diet to fit my body and I’d love to connect with anyone else that has gone through something similar!

💪🏼

Replies

  • HeidiCooksSupper
    HeidiCooksSupper Posts: 3,831 Member
    After years and years of chronic sinus infections and a "nervous" stomach ache from childhood, I finally was referred to an ear/nose/throat specialist who was also an allergist. (This was before the relationship between GERD and sinus infections was widely recognized.) He did all sorts of allergy tests including food tests and lots of things I ate regularly were causing me problems. Bingo! Treating the GERD and avoiding certain foods means I haven't had a sinus infection in years!

    I live in a seniors community that includes a nightly meal. I need to avoid tomatoes, onions, etc. It's been difficult but I try to make choices that don't include too many problem ingredients. I have my own set of condiments like jarred pesto at home that I often use instead after ordering food "without tomato sauce."

    No, I won't go into anaphylaxis if a tomato sneaks into supper but I am likely to get canker sores, numb lips, and an upset stomach. Some argue that's not a "true allergy" but it still is something that needs a work around. I think many ailments are really unrecognized food sensitivities. Hubby is having lower intestinal issues and is getting tested for diseases. I think he's find skipping his daily melon might take care of it. Melon's very likely to cause intestinal upset. We'll see.
  • AliNouveau
    AliNouveau Posts: 36,287 Member
    HeidiCooksSupper wrote: »
    After years and years of chronic sinus infections and a "nervous" stomach ache from childhood, I finally was referred to an ear/nose/throat specialist who was also an allergist. (This was before the relationship between GERD and sinus infections was widely recognized.) He did all sorts of allergy tests including food tests and lots of things I ate regularly were causing me problems. Bingo! Treating the GERD and avoiding certain foods means I haven't had a sinus infection in years!

    I live in a seniors community that includes a nightly meal. I need to avoid tomatoes, onions, etc. It's been difficult but I try to make choices that don't include too many problem ingredients. I have my own set of condiments like jarred pesto at home that I often use instead after ordering food "without tomato sauce."

    No, I won't go into anaphylaxis if a tomato sneaks into supper but I am likely to get canker sores, numb lips, and an upset stomach. Some argue that's not a "true allergy" but it still is something that needs a work around. I think many ailments are really unrecognized food sensitivities. Hubby is having lower intestinal issues and is getting tested for diseases. I think he's find skipping his daily melon might take care of it. Melon's very likely to cause intestinal upset. We'll see.

    I hear you with the not deadly allergy but needing workarounds.

    A few years ago I figured out pine nuts didn't agree with me at all. I had two hours of having pesto and ended up with incredible stomach pains and feeling incredibly ill. Bananas give me sores in my mouth (this apparently is associated with my latex sensitivity), melons can do the same, pineapple makes my throat feel scratchy and soy makes me really itchy. So no real allergies just lots of things I shouldn't stay away from. But also I know what will happen so sometimes I just eat the foods and know if won't feel well for a little bit
  • balake4242
    balake4242 Posts: 7 Member
    My food condition is the same! Definitely not deadly, but it’s rather unpleasant if I accidentally eat something on my “list”. It does take a while to get used to focusing on that aspect of your diet. But it’s been a few years for me now and I really don’t even crave certain “bad” foods like I used to
  • Kate48Walks
    Kate48Walks Posts: 6 Member
    edited October 2020
    Hello I suffered with food allergies for many years also. I finally went to an allergist who confirmed my suspicions that I was allergic to many different foods. I have OAS ( Oral Allergy Syndrome) which means I can't eat most foods raw. Example raw apples NO but baked apples yes. Swollen lips itchy throat and mouth and possible anaphylaxis. So I know what to stay away from but I need to be careful when eating out for cross contamination in restaurants. If they cut strawberries and then my lettuce with the same knife I will have a reaction. I carry Benadryl and an Epi Pen with me all the time.

    I have seasonal allergies also. I did my own experiments until I discover that by giving up dairy my allergies were completely gone. So most of the problem with sinus was from dairy but dairy is not life threatening for me. Occasionally I will have a small amount of dairy. I don't even miss the dairy.
    In fact, when I went dairy free I lost ten pounds! Good luck managing your food allergies.
  • balake4242
    balake4242 Posts: 7 Member
    That sounds pretty intense! I’m glad you’ve figured out the issue and have learned to love with it though! It’s all about adapting and forming a new and healthy diet around that. Thank you for the post!

Categories