Dietary requirements - are people fussier now ?

Allergies and fussiness are very different.
I would classify dietary choices and fussiness as different too.

We just have more options than ever before, so people can make different choices.

As far as more allergies? I think we are just more aware. Previously, I suspect, that more people just died of them an so it seemed like there were fewer anaphylactic allergies. Others just suffered from bad stomach troubles

Meant to add, we eat a varied diet of all sorts at home, so rarely have issues accommodating others diets

There's also a difference between allergies and intolerances. And without taking anything away from anyone who has either, I think some people are just genuinely fussy eaters who don't have any medical condition behind it.

There's also a difference between allergies and intolerances

Exactly! I was diagnosed as allergic to dairy donkeys years ago, but I can tolerate small amounts - so perhaps intolerant rather than allergic?

The IBS virtually cleared up after going gluten free. Again, intolerant, not allergic. I now occasionally eat the crusty ends off my DH’s ‘normal’ baguettes or even a Greggs sausage roll! Sometimes you just have to do these things and take the consequences! 🤣

I fully agree .

Catering for people has become so complicated .
I don't enjoy it anymore .
I've always served meat or fish plus a vegetarian option .
I avoid pork as I have Jewish and Muslim friends .
Chicken or lamb seems the safest option .

I usually make three types of dessert so there must be something that's acceptable .

If my friends were really pukka - they wouldn't actually eat at my home .
Vegetarian food has become popular with carnivores .

I understand about allergies , but I sometimes think that it's trotted out as an excuse to avoid disliked foods .

There's a huge difference between an intolerance and an allergy as Blondiescot writes .

I'm friends with the cafe owners where I live and independently they've asked me not to being one of my friends .

Apart from an incredible list of illnesses (which she talks about non - stop ) - she says that she's intolerant to lactose and gluten , but criticises what they serve even though they are accommodating her .

I once invited her for afternoon tea . One of my children is both gluten and lactose allergic and it has become serious as anaphylactic shock can ensue - so I know how to cater for her .

Never again .

Blondiescot

There's also a difference between allergies and intolerances. And without taking anything away from anyone who has either, I think some people are just genuinely fussy eaters who don't have any medical condition behind it.

I agree.

Allergy and intolerance are quite different in severity.

We all have preferences, some people don't state their likes and dislikes - they just don't eat what they dislike. I don't eat meat, by preference, I dislike it, but I'm not fussy. Others are cooked for and may eat as they choose.

I think there’s always been preferences and allergies. The difference is that people expect to be catered for now, whereas in the past they would just avoid even if it meant going without part of the meal.

I always disliked beef so if it was served I’d just have potatoes and veg without making a fuss.

Having said that I do think people often believe cutting out a certain food group will solve a problem that is often due to something else that they don’t want to cut out -like alcohol 😬🤭

I've noticed in all the restaurants now they ask if anyone has a food allergy.
If you say yes there is a procedure they have to go through before they will serve you.

I think it's also become quite 'trendy' in certain circles to suddenly have 'intolerances', even when there's no evidence to prove that the person actually has this. A friend of my daughter suddenly announced that she couldn't eat anything containing gluten any more - then promptly ordered a burger and scoffed the lot, bun included. When another friend queried this, she said 'oh, it's only some gluten I can't eat'. This kind of thing does those who genuinely can't eat certain foods - such as coeliacs - no favours whatsoever. It's a form of attention-seeking.

I am allergic to coffee,any medication,coke,apple juice,tonic water and grapefruit.

timetogo2016

I am allergic to coffee,any medication,coke,apple juice,tonic water and grapefruit.

Please don't think I'm being dismissive here, but there must be thousands of different medications - how do you know you are allergic to any medication? Genuine question - I'm honestly interested to know.

Honestly- not allergic to anything, but I haven't eaten meat for 40 years. However, I'm happy just to eat the vegetables if that's what's on offer.

Blondiescot

I think it's also become quite 'trendy' in certain circles to suddenly have 'intolerances', even when there's no evidence to prove that the person actually has this. A friend of my daughter suddenly announced that she couldn't eat anything containing gluten any more - then promptly ordered a burger and scoffed the lot, bun included. When another friend queried this, she said 'oh, it's only some gluten I can't eat'. This kind of thing does those who genuinely can't eat certain foods - such as coeliacs - no favours whatsoever. It's a form of attention-seeking.

Chatting with some American friends who we were meeting up with on holiday in France. My friend said she reckons European gluten won’t affect her as it’s different from US gluten.
Who knew?

I’m very lucky to have no allergies or intolerances. I fully understand that there are those who do, those who have genuine dietary preferences such as vegan or vegetarian and there are definitely some who are just plain fussy!

Mollygo Chatting with some American friends who we were meeting up with on holiday in France. My friend said she reckons European gluten won’t affect her as it’s different from US gluten. Who knew?

Most amusing thing I've read today.

This reminds me of a cartoon where a couple are in a restaurant looking at the menu. They ask the waiter “we are vegans, what do you recommend?” And he says “A taxi.” 🤣🤣

I have veggie BIL and vegan nieces and I honestly don’t know why they bother eating out. When one of the nieces was small all she ever ate was egg and chips that was while she was still just veggie.

My friend is veggie and makes such a trial out of ordering a meal! About a dozen of us go and 2 are veggies. The restaurant do lovely veggie meals but they are never good enough. They both make a big thing of choosing and then swapping one veg for another and adding a side of something else with extavthis and no that. Drives the rest of us mad!

Some may even feel as shown.

"I can't have anything that's a food"

My GS is allergic to nuts and has been rushed to hospital a few times when he was younger as food wasn't always labelled with allergens as it is now.
I do think some people say they are allergic not understanding how serious allergies can be.

I don’t eat meat of fish by choice but don’t have any intolerances that I know of
But I do think there are more genuine allergies and intolerances now than when I was growing up I never knew anyone with any I do remember a couple when my children were at school but there are many more now and I think that is down to additives and chemicals which weren’t around when we were growing up, having much purer food before animals were fed antibiotics etc etc

Years ago I had a sports student stay with me. I’d been told he didn’t eat meat but when I found out he didn’t eat cheese either it really threw me. And then someone came round for a meal who didn’t eat onions. I think everything savoury that I cook contains onions. This was thirty odd years ago. I’m just relieved that my current anti social lifestyle means that I don’t have to worry about things like that, now. The French students that used to stay were the easiest: they would eat anything!

Real allergies can of course be very dangerous. Sadly as in other instances those who choose not to eat certain foods without medical reasons make it more difficult for the genuine problems.
Our Son in Law has always been intolerant of dairy but can eat very small amounts.
Over the last year he has also discovered that he has a big problem with artificial sweeteners. Amazing how many foods let alone drinks contain them .

Mollygo, that's such useful information about European gluten being different from US gluten !

Norah

Some may even feel as shown.

"I can't have anything that's a food"

Great joke, I hate people mocking those with food allergies. I suffer from anaphylaxis to wheat,nuts,seafood and wine. I have been in shock requiring emergency treatment numerous times. Why has it become acceptable to make fun of anaphylaxis ? Even in the Peter Rabbit movie it was deemed funny for an induced reaction by the rabbit throwing berries at the bad guy !

Jaffacake2

Norah

Some may even feel as shown.

"I can't have anything that's a food"

Great joke, I hate people mocking those with food allergies. I suffer from anaphylaxis to wheat,nuts,seafood and wine. I have been in shock requiring emergency treatment numerous times. Why has it become acceptable to make fun of anaphylaxis ? Even in the Peter Rabbit movie it was deemed funny for an induced reaction by the rabbit throwing berries at the bad guy !

I've never joked about allergies. My children suffer serious allergies, anaphylaxis inducing - we keep epipens on premises.