One of the most fun parts of being a blogger is interacting with readers on a daily basis. I get a lot of emails with certain questions about health and fitness in general, and I love sharing my two cents. The best part about writing is that while my readers can talk back to me (and please do!), I get to talk A LOT first before anyone else gets a chance. What can I say? I’m opinionated. Recently, reader Elizabeth emailed me with the following concern:
“I’m emailing you because I have been a vegetarian for the last three years, and I also recently found out I am corn intolerant. I don’t know about you, but cutting out corn was probably more difficult for me than cutting out meat. In an attempt to make eating with me easier, I started eating fish and poultry again, but I’ve found I don’t really like the taste of it anymore, and it interferes so much with my beliefs, so it’s back to no meat for me. I was just wondering how you deal with being a vegetarian and having various food intolerances. I feel so bad when I go out to eat with people because there are just some places that are completely out of the question and I feel like it makes things awkward or I’m being too high maintenance. If you have any tips at all, I would really appreciate anything you have to offer on the subject.”
All I can say is I am SO glad Elizabeth emailed me about this. I could probably talk about this subject all the live long day.
On Vegetarianism and Food Intolerances:
Four months after I was told I had a gluten intolerance, I still wasn’t feeling all that hot. Turned out, I had a corn intolerance as well. I am not going to sugar coat it: It. Was. Hard. I had to adjust a lot in those first few months. In case you’re not aware, corn is in everything. This includes high fructose corn syrup, corn starch, corn oil, and maltodextrin (from corn sources) as well as other sneaky ingredients I can’t remember at the moment.
I actually went vegetarian a year AFTER I was diagnosed with all my intolerances, so it wasn’t that difficult for me. The thing that I have to remember is my protein sources before being diagnosed with a corn intolerance have no corn in them – and neither do vegetarian sources. All of my sources of protein: nuts, beans, protein powders, tofu, etc are corn free, which is a sigh of relief. In my humble opinion, corn is not necessary for a healthy diet, and what people tend to forget is that corn is a grain, not a vegetable.
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On Dining With Others:
This is something that’s actually still really hard for me to deal with. Many times I find that it is just so much easier to eat at home in the confines of my own kitchen. I don’t have to worry about others worrying about my eating habits. However, that’s not realistic. I know I will have to go out to eat with others and just deal with it. Most people I eat with know of my food intolerances (after a good long two years). Many times if I go somewhere else (for a family party or something) I will bring along a gluten/corn free vegan dish for everyone to enjoy and eat that for my main dish. I always have snacks in my purse in these instances just in case! Many times if I have to dine with others, I go to the dining experience far from hungry if there is nothing there I can eat. Instead of being starving and crabby, I eat before hand so I can fully enjoy my company. Going out for dinner is a whole other ball park, though!
On Dining in Restaurants:
Going out to eat use to cause a lot of anxiety on my part for a long time. Would they really listen to me about my diet? Would there be cross contamination? Would I get sick? I came up with a solution: Tell the restaurant you have an ALLERGY. Now, it is a little bit of a lie since intolerances will not make you go into anaphylactic shock, but will leave me pretty debilitated for a few days (headaches, GI symptoms, body aches, etc.). If you tell the restaurant you have an allergy, they will treat it way more seriously than if you say you have an intolerance.
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I always scope out the restaurants online to see if a menu is posted online. From there, I can plan out a meal. More than likely, restaurants are more accommodating than you think if you explain your situation. I’ve made meals out of sides (salads, veggies, potatoes), which isn’t the best thing ever, but it will do. I have also had waiters go out of their way for me to modify a dish on the menu to meet my dietary needs. The bottom line: You never know if you don’t ask!
If I go to a Mexican restaurant, I know I can’t have the chips (bummmerrrr!), so I improvise and bring my own crackers from home. That way I can still enjoy chips and salsa – my way.
Whenever we go out to eat, the Husband is my biggest advocate. If I order something without telling them about my intolerances, he speaks up right away (mainly because he knows just how cranky I will be if I get sick).
On Planning Ahead:
Whenever I travel or am gone for a long period of time, I always have a back up plan. I always say I can never truly be an intuitive eater because of my food intolerances – and that’s okay. I always bring a stash of bars, my own gluten free oatmeal, nut butter packets, and other snacks to keep me satisfied in an emergency! Planning is key.
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On Acceptance:
I spent a lot of time being angry at first about my dietary restrictions. Why me? Why can’t I just be normal? Why do I have to spend so much time planning about food? The answers… unknown. By accepting the fact that I can’t really ever go out and “grab” something to eat and truly be satisfying was hard, but totally necessary. If you accept it and are open about your struggles about eating with others and dining out, I’m sure that others will be more accommodating. Unless you tell them your struggles, they will never know! (Unless they’re psychic like me.)
My biggest piece of advice? Say “c’est la vie” (that’s life!) and move forward – there’s not sense on dwelling on the past when you should be focusing on the future!
For more information about food intolerances/sensitivities, these are great resources:
Food Intolerance Info
Food Allergy vs. Food Intolerance
The Food Intolerant Consumer
Question: Do you have any dietary restrictions? Is it hard for you to go out to eat? If not, do you have family/friends with dietary restrictions? How do you handle this?
{ 60 comments… read them below or add one }
It can be hard to eat out with my dietary restrictions at times. The best thing for me is to call the restaurant at a time they are NOT busy and discuss it with them.
Also I’ve found most non-chain restaurants will make you something specific if you tell them what you CAN eat instead of focusing on what you can’t.
Fabulous post, Chelsey! Sooo chock full of everything I’ve wanted to say (some of it i have in various posts of mine)
“Tell the restaurant you have an ALLERGY. Now, it is a little bit of a lie since intolerances will not make you go into anaphylactic shock, but will leave me pretty debilitated for a few days (headaches, GI symptoms, body aches, etc.).”- YES Agreed!! They don’t even always understand what ‘intolerance’ means. Allergy..everyone gets that.
“Instead of being starving and crabby, I eat before hand so I can fully enjoy my company. “- agreed!
I was a strict gluten free vegan for 5 yrs. NO CHEATING.
I currently have small amts of gluten and am vegetarian.
I could talk all day about this, and have, but thank you for the great info.
Thanks Averie - you should chime in! You’ve got a lot of great advice!
I don’t have any dietary restrictions, and I feel very fortunate. I truly enjoyed this post though because I think it’s helps other people to understand what it exactly means to have a food intolerance!
Awesome awesome post! I can’t add anything to it. While I don’t relate since I don’t suffer intolerances like that, I think it is so fabulous how you make it very approachable and doable for those that do.
I’m all for you fibbing a little and saying you have an allergy. I’ve encouraged people to lie when they just don’t like something because I feel like waiters sometimes don’t take people seriously. My mom has a severe reaction to shrimp but it ends up in her food all the time because she nicely asks for them not to put it in her food instead of telling them she gets voraciously sick when she has one bite of shrimp. So when I’m with her I spell it out for them. Do whatever you need to do to stay healthy.
I can only imagine how hard that is to have both gluten AND corn intolerances. Thankfully, I’m not intolerant to wheat or corn, but I try to eat both in moderation - because they’re everywhere!
Great post and great advice! Although not as extreme, I feel that way with my vegetarian/vegan-ish eating, especially the going out to eat/being a guest in someone else’s home.
My youngest has PKU, basically she can’t have any protein. She’s basically a vegan without the beans, soy, etc…She has to drink special formula that provides her proteins broken down so she can grown properly. Fortunately she’s 2 and can eat french fries so that’s our go to most of the time. When ever we go out of town we always have to take her food with us so that she can eat. It’s hard to prep her food that far in advance and trying to guess what she’s going to eat but it’s doable.
Oh my goodness - that must be really hard. I met a little boy who had the same condition. There were like 7 foods he could eat. I’m so glad you have such a positive attitude.
Great advice. Coming from a girl with many food intolerance, I can definitely relate.
I have been thinking about going vegan and wondering how I am going to eat with others. But if you can find a way around eating corn and gluten (which like you said are in almost everything), then I feel like it is doable for me to have fun and still avoid meat and dairy.
great tips chels! Its funny, I think gluten./corn/soy all kinda go hand in hand. It is hard, at first. But look at this community, we can help each other with so much! cheers to that.
Very true - I don’t know what I would do without blogs!
Great tips! I’m vegetarian too, and I always plan ahead when I go somewhere for the day or for a few days with plenty of snacks (more than necessary). I never know if there will be veggie friendly snacks for me, and even if there is, I can supplement a meal with my snacks because sometimes a plate of veggies just isn’t enough!
Great post Chelsey! Thankfully, I don’t have any intolerances or restrictions when it comes to food, but I do try and plan ahead by looking at online menus, just so I can order something healthy and not feel tempted by last minute menu browsing. It’s hard and sometimes I give in, but planning certainly does help!
Great tips! I “aww”ed at the Hubs being your biggest advocate, too.
I am so fortunate to not have any intolerances or allergies - just opinions! While there aren’t many places I LOVE to eat at around here, luckily it’s not a serious situation and I can get by
Great tips, Chelsey! I have a really severe allergy to peanuts, so I definitely know first hand what a pain in the butt it can be to live with dietary restrictions. I think one of the most important things is acceptance. I spent so many years of my younger life being bitter that I couldn’t eat at parties, or freely at restaurants with my friends… and I hated that people had to watch what they ate around me all the time. And nevermind having to constantly check labels and put back all the foods that I couldn’t eat because of “traces of peanuts”. But really, there are worse things in life, and although it’s inconvenient, I’ve managed just fine. And it looks like you are too!
I always feel horrible for people with peanut allergies. You make my restrictions look like nothing!!
I have no dietary restrictions/intolerances/allergies, but I’ve always been curious as to how those that DO go out, cook, eat, etc. Thank you SO much for this post. I’m SURE that it was really helpful, not only to the person who emailed you, but to anyone struggling with dietary issues
I intolerant to sugar cane and sugar beet products. It shocked me learning how sugar is in basically everything!
I’ve learned to just except it, plus I still have maple syrup and honey so I’m good
Cane sugar is in everything! Do you avoid white sugar as well?
This is a great post! I’m right there with you, as I too was diagnosed with a corn intolerance - Although, fresh farm corn doesn’t bother me as much (it’s very strange) - but the second I touch anything with say ‘Citric Acid’ I’m donezo for reals. Corn was the hardest one though, as like you said, it’s literally in everything! I called toothpaste companies, gum companies, organic flavor extract companies - and finally decided just to cut out condiments (except for a few acceptable ones)! Actually, it’s why I don’t use compostable wrappers in my cookies - cause they are made from corn! For me, it wasn’t so much frustrating, as it was infuriating!! — In a ‘what the hell is the matter with our food supply!!??’ kind of way. Grrr… I could go on and on
Any who, great post - I’m going to bookmark and refer this to people when I get similar questions - Thanks!
That’s where I get mad too - I don’t think I’d get sick with farm fresh corn either. It’s just what they’ve done to corn and put it in everything!
I like your attitude about moving on with it. The easier you forgive, the better you feel inside! Plus, it’s not like you can’t eat nothing…even if you could only live off peanut butter, would it really be that bad?!
I (luckily) don’t have any food restrictions, yet I am trying to stay away from meats (mainly, chicken is grossing me out lately!) and stay away from processed foods!!
No, living off of peanut butter wouldn’t be bad.
It’s so great to read about others challenges with food intolerance’s. Because of my own personal struggles with sensitivities and allergies, I seem to attract many clients that also deal with the same challenges.
And you’re right, it is a challenge! But the key is to plan ahead - always pack snacks, lunches, prepare easy meals that you can take on the go with you.
It’s always challenging when you find out you can’t eat a certain food, like any change, it takes time to accept.
I don’t think anyone should feel “bad” or embarrassed when they have to speak with restaurants before they order food, or bring along treats with them when they go out to eat at a friends place. Your family and friends love you, and they want to see you happy… so don’t let it worry you!
Thanks so much for such a detailed response to my email
I feel a lot better now and it was SO awesome of you to write this post!
I’m glad it helped you Liz!
I have an intolerance to something… I’m just not sure what it is yet. I think trying to determine the intolerance is harder than actually knowing what you can’t have. I do know that I have a soy-intolerance making me a soy-free vegan. The whole soy intolerance is tough. Like corn and wheat, soy is in so many things. I do watch my gluten-intake. I’ve never given corn a thought, though.
The restricted diet has been fantastic for my bank account since I would much rather prepare my own food than go to a restaurant. I know 100% what ingredients are being used. A few weeks ago I got a vegan dessert, not even thinking that it was probably made with soy milk. I’m still suffering from that minor lapse in sense on my part. The few times I do go out, I usually don’t worry too much. Nearly every restaurant has salad and french fries.
A soy intolerance is so so hard. My mom is soy intolerant, so I know all about it!
Such a great post! I find that just being gluten and dairy intolerant is enough to cause troubles, and I am not vegetarian. I used to eat at a friends’ house for dinner at least once a week, but after being diagnosed with a gluten intol, she stopped inviting me because she said it was too hard. I think you will agree that it isn’t really that hard when you get used it, but it is a learning curve.
I tell the allergy lie when I go out too. It is so much easier and they are much friendlier because they don’t think of you as just being picky.
I’m kind of surprised your friend stopped having dinner with you because of that. I think I would be kind of mad. My best friend went out of her way to figure out how to make GF desserts for me - <3 her!
Thanks for writing this post! I think that i have some food intolerances but i havent figured them out yet. I should go to the doctor to have that checked out probably, but in the meantime I will check out those sites you posted!
Your doctor will probably have you do some kind of elimination diet - I don’t know if there’s any “test” to see about intolerances.
WOW!!! Girl, I love learning more about you! Corn really is in EVERYTHING!!! It is CRAZY!!! I don’t think I have any intolerances. PS I hope you are having the most amazing summer break ever! PPS you are extremely gorgeous!
I hope you are having a great summer break too!
<3 you!
This is a great post! Although I am not vegetarian, and I am fortunate not to have any food intolerances, I AM very health conscious. There are many foods that I prefer not to eat because I do not enjoy the taste, and they just don’t make my body feel good such as burgers, hot dogs, highly processed foods, fried foods, etc. So at a bar or a barbecue, my options are always limited! I don’t like making a big deal out of it though, and I hate it when people look at me strangely when I tell them I don’t eat X. So like you, I usually bring along snacks in my purse or eat beforehand. I’d rather have my nut butter packets or veggie sticks or homemade granola bars any day!
Great post! While I don’t have any food intolerances (that I know of…although I have some doubts, especially with all of these stomach problems I’ve been having) being a vegetarian can be hard at times with my friends. They like to go to places where there usually isn’t many veggie friendly options other than a salad. Then I get the salad and they always tell me that I’m not eating enough. *sigh* I can’t win!
I know - I dont like it when people tell me I’m not eating enough either. I think to myself.. “hmm I wonder if they know I had a full sized meal before I came out”
Great post! Fortunately I am free of intolerances but it’s nice to know that it really doesn’t mean it’s the end of the world! Loved your tips and it’s so great that restaurants are accomodating to some extent! It makes all the difference!
Great advice, Chelsey! I intolerant to dairy and gluten. At first it felt incredibly restrictive, and I’d get frustrated at parties with friends & family, or nervous about going out to dinner with friends. Now I know to prepare, and how to read menus. And if I’m invited to someone’s house, I always bring a dish (for everyone to share). Thanks for your tips, too.
That’s so funny that I just posted about my nut allergy! We’re post twins!
Luckily nuts are fairly easy to avoid, but having a gluten and corn intolerance must be SO tough for you since they’re in practically EVERYTHING! But you seem to have a really good handle things! It’s awesome that you don’t let your restrictions get in the way of living your life!!
I saw that after I posted it!
I’m vegan and unwilling to sway, so that’s a dietary restriction. But that’s a choice so I live with it. I’m fairly certain I have a few intolerances, wheat being one, but I’m not really sure how to officially diagnose it. I just avoid it for the most part because I feel less gross and bloaty!
You are totally right! It’s difficult to go a lot of places when people don’t understand veganism!
Dining out (at eateries or at folks’ homes) is tough for me and I have NO intolerances; I can’t imagine how you feel! I don’t generally eat away from my kitchen. While I have no sensitivities, I do eat whole, natural foods and very little meats…which, in my circle of friends and family, is somewhat unnatural, ha! I do bring my own food wherever I go, but I suspect it is offensive to some. But I’m not a fan of compromising on any of my beliefs (food philosophies or not) for someone else’s sake; I do not expect them to eat my quinoa instead of their french fries so they should not expect me to eat their fried potato skins instead of my zuchinni and hummus, right? Now, if I could learn to convery this with grace, I’d be on the right track.
Best post ever! I could have written the question myself and struggle with all of the key areas you outlined! My fiance is also my biggest advocate - he hates to hear me whine later!
My biggest trouble is going out to restaurants. I feel so self-concious. Especially around some people I know who don’t ‘believe’ in intolerances and make me feel stupid. it’s hard for me to be assertive.
The thing is I truly believe that a lot of women use a food intolerance as a cover up for an eating disorder. I just don’t believe that everyone has a food intolerance. I just don’t. So therefore I think it makes is HARDER for people who really do have problems to be taken seriously and get the adequate help. Food intolernces and allergies CAN really cause serious problems but with so many poeple jumping on certain food intolerance bandwagons it makes it so easy for girls to hide eating disorders. I have read countless articles at how this very problem is affecting teenage girls across the country. I don’t know where I go with this. Maybe that as a food blogger someone should not glamorize it and really give the bottom line nitty gritty of what it is really like. I feel like of all the posts I have read on gluten-intolerance yours at least owns up to the fact that is is hard. Coupled with a corn intolerance (which I personally can not fathom how hard that would be) I like that you say it sucks, that you don’t like it. Finally…someone being honest.
This is an interesting perspective Kelly. While I have never heard of this, I am sure it is true in some instances. I know people who avoid certain foods because it makes them feel “gross” but don’t have a diagnosed intolerance. Could you link me to a few of these articles you have found? I would love to read them.
I feel fortunate enough to have been diagnosed by a health professional, which is something a lot of people never get to!
Wonderful post! I recently found out that I have a milk allergy, not a serious one, but things I love like ice cream, yogurt, cream etc make my tummy hurt for hours, sometimes even the next day. Medicine helps, but still, no fun. It doesn’t bother me if its a small amount in baking though.
It does feel awkward. “Hey lets order a pizza!” (big sad face), but I’m slowly learning to adjust. I’ve found there are a lot of places that are very accomadating to food allergies and intolerances. I work in an organic resturant and we had a woman stop in with a gluten allergy. We always make adjusts because even our staff has allergies. I do have trouble telling others about my food allergy, because I hate making things complicated for people. I’m volunteering at a place next week and still have yet to get the courage to inform them :/
Dairy is a tough one - my dad has always told me to just take lactaid pills, but my theory is… if my body doesn’t want it, I’m not going to force it. That’s just putting extra stress on my body - but, to each his own!
I love cheeseless pizza topped with nutritional yeast - it’s so good!
I’m technically allergic to wheat (it shows up on allergy tests) and when i eat a lot of it i get really acidic and sometimes a bad stomach ache but since most everything has wheat in it i eat it anyway, and just try to limit the quantities.
Check out my blog: Beautiful Busy Bee. Thanks!
I’m pretty sure everyone in my family is lactose intolerant (my mom constantly complains of stomach pains, and I think she might have a gluten sensitivity too, and my brother is always really congested, especially after he eats a lot of dairy products), yet I’m the only one who has given it up.
Actually, I’m pretty sure everyone period is lactose intolerant, because we can’t digest it properly after infancy. I wonder why that is…
I really want to get allergy tested though, just to know if there’s anything I should definitely avoid.
You stole the words out of my mouth about lactose intolerances!
I always forget that corn is a grain! Hah! I don’t have any food intolerance, but I was a vegetarian at one point. Planning ahead was definitely key for me!
I hear you…I usually take a zantac before going out - crazy right, and i still end up being the gal who is asking for all the modifications to her meal, or things “on the side”. Sigh,
I discovered my intolerances in my freshman year of college. It was scary being so far away from home and not knowing why my stomach was rejecting my everyday sandwiches. First being in texas, people were in shock that I could not eat their fried chicken even if I wanted to (not my thing lol). College cafeteria meals were tough because I felt like everyone judged the salad bar girl, but looking back I’m kinda glad that I didn’t eat the mystery dishes that the cafeteria line served!
I am SO happy I found your blog. I have been suffering from intolerence for a few years now and have still not gotten to the root of the problem. I’ve tried so many different things. It’s nice to know that there is someone out there who also thinks “why me?” and “why is doing normal things so hard for me!”
I am a new follower!
I also loved your post about your garden! I have a community garden plot (I live in an apartment in Portland) and I have been documenting its growth as well!
It can be hard at times, but I just always come prepared with something to hold me over if there’s nothing I can have.