Food Allergies and Sensitivities

Years ago I discovered I have an allergy to wheat and gluten containing grains such as barley, rye, or relatives of wheat like spelt or kamut, or all grains processed in the same facility as wheat, barley or rye. When I eat them I cannot stop eating, my body creates a histamine reaction where I swell up everywhere which is very painful especially to my joints, and I experience many symptoms of I.B.S. There are more symptoms I experience but those are the most prevalent and worst. This is not an allergy that will kill me right away, but years of eating gluten has damaged the lining and integrity of my intestines keeping me from absorbing nutrients from my food (I am starving to death despite being overweight) and leading to much greater intestinal problems.

It has been an uphill battle for the last 4 years. So many foods contain gluten it feels like my diet is so restricted that sometimes I give up or compromise and eat whatever. And eating out at restaurants or others' houses is always a compromise. Add to that a lack of support from family and friends who just don't understand that I can't have it and yes a little will hurt me. I'm sure some of their confusion exists from those times when I just give up and eat whatever. And it is exhausting trying to explain to people repeatedly that I can't have it and why I can't have it.

My latest disappointment was to find out that any vinegar that isn't specifically made from something like "Apple Cider" or "Red Wine" is distilled from a grain which is probably a gluten containing grain. Not only do I feel naive for not having thought about it but I'm still trying to figure out and cope with all the foods I can't have now like hot sauce or mustard or olives. And lets not forget another issue, meat. For years I have tried to eat only hormone and antibiotic free. When I went gluten free I had to consider what grains the animals were fed and how that would affect me. I also have to consider what I put on my body like skin care products which may contain gluten.

And 2 months ago I realized my body is reacting negatively to dairy. Not having nearly as much joint pain is worth the loss of yogurt and cottage cheese. But I'm still trying to eliminate cheeses from my diet, I'm down to cream cheese which will be gone by the end of the month.

And I'm certain I have a thyroid disorder, which I hope is simply "low thyroid." But now I have to weigh the pros and cons of a thyroid diet which eliminates soy, most cruciferous vegetables, sweet potatoes, flax, and other phyto-estrogen foods and recommends that I only drink Reverse Osmosis (filtered) water which filters out chemicals such as chlorine and fluoride that contribute to my condition.

On top of everything I have other food allergies and sensitivities to additives and preservatives such as M.S.G., potassium sorbate, and sodium benzoate. And I have candidasis, a bacterial overgrowth in the intestines that is also deteriorating my intestinal wall and creating symptoms of I.B.S. The whole thing is so frustrating sometimes I just burst into tears.

The silver lining part is that time and continuing awareness is leading to an education of people and a market for products and labeling that make my life easier. Most groceries now have little tags hanging down next to the price that indicates if a product is gluten free. Most products will list on the package gluten free and allergy disclaimers such as "free of wheat, soy, dairy, nuts, yeast" and so on and so forth.

I know very few people will read this, but I hope my family and friends will and take with them a greater understanding of anyone with food allergies or sensitivities and the impact is has on their lives. We are not just being difficult.