Having food allergies isn’t fun. I’ll put that out there right now. I don’t enjoy having to read the food labels on everything and being that girl at restaurants.
“But, Nicole,” you say, “the title of this post is ‘The Benefits of Having Food Allergies.’”
Why yes, my observant friend, yes it is.
You see, I can complain (and I do at times, like above) about having food allergies (for those that don’t know I’m allergic to wheat, soy, corn and peanuts and am lactose-intolerant) and not being able to eat things like this amazingness, but in learning how to live with them, I’ve discovered it’s not all restrictions and sad faces. There’s a plus side to everything, including having food allergies!
- I eat better.
Reading ingredient labels is pretty much the least fun thing ever, so I tend to choose foods that can’t possibly have any hidden ingredients (like fresh fruit, veggies, plain oatmeal, nuts, seeds and proteins) over processed goods. - It makes me more creative.
If I want something like pizza or ice cream, I have to get creative with it. Fortunately, I like to cook and experiment in the kitchen, so my food restrictions only mean I have to be more imaginative than most. What can I sub for flour, soy sauce, creamy caramel? It’s like a game show straight out of The Food Network! Not all experiments end up in my favor (case and point), but when they do, it’s glorious! - I can teach others.
While I don’t enjoy explaining to people what I can and can’t eat, I do enjoy sharing healthier options to crowd favorites and telling people about new foods and flavors I’ve discovered during my kitchen experiments. For instance, my mom now loves making “ice cream” out of frozen bananas and Will eats zoodles! - I challenge chefs.
I really don’t like being the annoying person at the table asking for this dish but without that and can I have this instead and can you be sure to tell the chef no butter? However, in finding the positive, chefs make the same thing all night long. Sometimes for weeks at a time depending on how often they change their menu. I like to think that someone with food allergies challenges them to get creative with the dishes they’ve made a million times over, and I like to think they appreciate it. Ok… that might be a stretch, but humor me ha! - I get excited about the little things.
Every now and then, I’m pleasantly surprised. I find a packaged good on the shelf that is allergen free (hello, everything in this post) or a restaurant surprises me with a special dish like the strawberry moose I got in Grenada. I get pretty gosh darn excited when something like this happens. Yummy food? And I can eat it?! YESSAH!
Silver, meet Lining.
Also, quick side bar: Remember when I went to Grenada?! Well my first post for The Daily Meal (the publication that sent me on the trip) is finally live! If you want to learn a little more about my trip, the island of Grenada, and things to do there, I’d love for you all to check it out and give it some love :). I should have a few more articles rolling out over the next few days, so I’ll be sure to share those with you, as well!
Let’s Chat:
Do you live with food allergies/dietary restrictions?
Have any positives come from it?
This is actually very similar to how I feel about my Crohn’s–if I hadn’t had such issues, would I have discovered my passion for cooking or even started my blog??
Susie @ SuzLyfe recently posted…Setting SMART Goals and PLANS versus To Do Lists
There is a plus side to everything! Is living with Crohn’s fun? NO! But I’m sure there are a lot of things you’ve gained from having the disease that you wouldn’t have otherwise 🙂
My sister-in-law has a seafood and peanut allergy and since I’m a pescatarian who eats a fair amount of fish and nuts for protein we always have to get uber creative to find a meal together!
Good for you to find the silver lining. Going to look at Grenada now!!! 🙂
Julie @ Running in a Skirt recently posted…Pistachio Pesto Zoodles
Haha sounds like a fun time experimenting in the kitchen! Thanks for checking out the article 🙂 🙂 <3 <3
I love how you turned this around to be positive! The only challenge I have is being a vegetarian which some chefs do not like 🙂
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner recently posted…Spiralized Waldorf Lettuce Wraps
Chefs should be versatile – it’s kinda part of the job!
I can totally relate to having to get creative with food in order to actually eat it. My next kitchen adventure will involve making a “no tomato, tomato sauce” so I can actually enjoy some things again…who knew tomatoes were the base of so many sauces and condiments?!
Annmarie recently posted…Life Lessons and Learning to Live with Histamine Intolerance
I feel the same way about soy lecithin. Why is it in EVERYTHING?? I’m excited to see how that “tomato” sauce turns out!
Great post Nicole. I am lactose intolerant and I have GERD. These things keep me from eating a lot of things that are not so great for me. I think what you are saying makes a lot of sense. Our intolerances actually protect our bodies from what it doesn’t really need in most cases.
Ivanna recently posted…How to Start Eating Healthier in 4 Easy Steps
I like that, “our intolerance actually protect our bodies from what it doesn’t really need.” Very true!
No major food allergies here, but now that I’m pregnant I’m finding that I can’t always just eat some foods that have been staples in my diet, especially deli meat. Its required a little bit of creative thinking and a different mindset, but its nothing that I haven’t been able to handle.
Kathryn @ Dancing to Running recently posted…Sweet and Sour Meatballs with Peppers and Onions Recipe
You can’t have deli meat when pregnant? I had NO IDEA! Thank you for sharing as I’m sure that will come in handy down the line 🙂
I probably do eat better because of my issues, but then there are times when I want to have foods I normally can’t and it just sucks. Sometimes I build in “recovery days” for those time when I do indulge, then remember why it’s really not worth eating it!
Bri recently posted…Why the world needs bloggers
I’ve been contemplating lately going to the movies and getting a big tub of popcorn because I love popcorn and miss it terribly! I should definitely build in about a week of recovery if I do that, though haha – not sure if it’s worth it…
I don’t have any food allergies, but I love how positive you are about this. The first one and the last one are my favorite positives!
Julie recently posted…Cultivating the “I Don’t Give A F***” Attitude
Thanks, Julie 🙂 <3
As someone who is lactose intolerant I tend to agree! I def pay more attention to labels out of necessity but I think that’s one of the things that led me to healthy eating Also being way more adventurous than most people as I try vegan and alternative versions of regular people food! Haha
Jill recently posted…What’s in my Fridge?!
Yes! Vegan and gluten-free foods are my jam. I don’t know why people have the misconception that they aren’t as tasty.
I don’t have allergies but I am pretty specific about my food. I sort of get annoyed at the comment, “Why are you ordering like that if you don’t HAVE to.” Well because I don’t want to eat crap, people! 😉 Great post!
Hollie recently posted…BlogTalk Tuesday: Why I Blog
I have a whole other post brewing about food shaming. Stuff like that drives me nuts!
Way to see the silver lining in this! Allergies are all around us and I wish everyone were more understanding and accommodating to those with them. Not always the case.
Marcia recently posted…Tips and Tricks for Family Travel Through Paris
It definitely isn’t always the case, but one thing I love about living in a big city is that people and restaurants seem to be a lot more understanding and accommodating.
I’m not allergic to anything but I totally support you challenging the chefs and being more creative with things like ice cream and pizza =)
Becki S recently posted…Twin Takeover: Part Two
Thank you! Next time someone gives me crap for it, I’m going to tell them, “I don’t care what you say. Becki supports me!” 🙂
I think that is a great way to view your seeming “adversity.” It’s the old “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” Congrats on owning your health!
Cristina @triathlonmami recently posted…Race Review: Ironman Lake Placid
Thank you, Cristina!
I love that you see the positive in this! I don’t have food allergies but my boys do. I agree with you, the one huge positive of this is that we all eat healthier. Lots more homemade foods, for sure!
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home recently posted…Race Recap: Road Shark Virtual 5 miler
Homemade food is more delicious anyway! Well… most times… there are the occasional recipe fails haha.
LMFAO!!!!!!!!!!!!! EVERYONE and I mean EVERYONE who hears about my food allergies/intolerances tell me: OMG you’re so lucky!!!! HA HA AH AH H AHA HA! I guess so?? LOL!
GiGi Eats recently posted…Taking On Taiwan
She’s so lucky. She’s a star. But she cry, cry, cries in her lonely heart thinking, “If there’s nothing missing in my life than why do these tears come at night.” – Name that song! (P.S. It’s popcorn and Reese’s peanut butter cup ice cream that are missing from my life).
Way to look on the positive side of things! 😀 I don’t have food allergies, but could relate to some of these because I was living in a place that didn’t have very many of the things I’d been super accustomed to always having on hand (I got a little spoiled with all the food diversity in the bay area ._.). It forced me to learn to cook + make a ton of things on my own, and also made me find lots of joy in the littlest of things. :]!
Farrah recently posted…My Flat-Self Photo Collection
Thanks, Farrah! The bay area has some AMAZING food! What’s the best thing you were able to recreate?
I absolutely love your spin on allergies! You’re so right though. Reading labels, eating fresh foods, fruits and veggies etc. comes with amazing benefits! Plus, I love homemade food way more!
Artney @ My Pretty Brown recently posted…Weekend Vibes! Art in Motion
Agreed! Homemade food is the best!
I suffer from skin allergies in summer. Can totally relate to this.
What type of skin allergies if you don’t mind me asking?
I do NOT have any food allergies, but I love your positive spin on this.
Rachel recently posted…Behind the Scenes: A Day in the Life
Thanks, Rachel!
there was an interesting article about this in one of the dc weekly city papers that i read. it focused a lot on how restaurants are now really accommodating and how most chefs don’t mind special orders at all!
Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC recently posted…Marathon Training Update
Oh that’s so good to hear! I think big cities are definitely better about it that places in the suburbs and chain restaurants.
I have a lot of “food issues” as I call them (never been tested for allergies but I should). One of my friends always says how sometimes she wishes she had some issues with certain things so that it would be easier for her to want to eat healthy. She can eat whatever she wants and be fine which means… she eats whatever she wants. While I think that is crazy talk, I do understand what she means! There are benefits, like having to eat healthier!
Angela recently posted…Long Lost Blogger Returns
I do see what she means, but it can be really tough at times. I keep snacks in my purse at all times in case I come across a situation where I can’t eat anything – which is more often than not! She can pretend to have allergies and see how it goes haha.
I’m so sorry you have to deal with this. I have never had a food allergy, so I wish I could say I know what you are going through but I don’t. I’m so glad that you have so many great things come out of your allergies though! I love your positive attitude!
Sue @ This Mama Runs for Cupcakes recently posted…Chelsea Collective: A first of its kind Women’s Fitness Boutique
Thank you! Complaining won’t get me anywhere, right?!