Dietary requirements - are people fussier now ?

nanna8

The real question is- is there something in the environment that makes people more allergic to certain foods now? Has it always been the case but undiagnosed before? I am really interested, not trying to be smart. My daughter has just returned from Fiji where all her eczema cleared up. As soon as she is back in Australia it occurs again. Is it fluoride perhaps ( we add it to our water)?

Do you have hard water? Does it have a high calcium and magnesium content? Both can aggravate eczema.

GrannyRose15

It’s not funny. It is a fact that American and European wheat are different. So it’s quite feasible that the gluten content is different.

The gluten content is different because different types of wheat are grown. The problem is that the UK and other European countries import some wheat from the US.

The real question is- is there something in the environment that makes people more allergic to certain foods now? Has it always been the case but undiagnosed before? I am really interested, not trying to be smart. My daughter has just returned from Fiji where all her eczema cleared up. As soon as she is back in Australia it occurs again. Is it fluoride perhaps ( we add it to our water)?

It’s not funny. It is a fact that American and European wheat are different. So it’s quite feasible that the gluten content is different.

Blondiescot

LRavenscroft

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.

Not when you really suffer if you eat the wrong foods. My Fodmap diet is like a minefield and that is with close scrutiny. Why? Because I had my gallbladder removed and it totally messed up my system. I also thing much is to blame on all the additives in much processed modern foods - factory manufactured bread and sauces for example.

I did say in an earlier post that I wasn't for one moment talking about people with genuine allergies or intolerances. Having my gall bladder removed also played havoc with my 'innards', so I can sympathise with you there. The FODMAP diet isn't intended to be followed on a long-term basis though.

Please don't give out information unless you are sure you will get the details right. A low fodmap diet is for life if you want to remain well.

It would be correct to say the first stage of the Fodmap diet, the Elimination Stage, lasts two to six weeks. During this time, you exchange food so that you are eating only low or no fodmap foods.

If your symptoms have not improved, you either don't have IBS, or your IBS is not sensitive to fodmaps. Your common sense, or your dietician, will tell you to go back to your doctor for further tests, medication or therapy.

If you continue, you will repeat the same as in the previous weeks, swapping out high foodmap foods. But you will also challenge your gut with a series of fodmaps. You will build on this adding back or increasing portion sizes to learn what you can or cannot tolerate.

If you have the type of condition triggered by fermentable sugars (fodmaps) and you want to control the symptoms and remain well, then this is for life.

It does seem that some of you find catering for your friends so difficult that, while you are willing to try not to kill anyone, as you could do with celiac disease or allergies, you think your friends are making a fuss if they are only going to be very ill.

If you ask them to, most will bring the basic alternatives with them.

PamelaJ1 🤣🤣 Dairy donkeys are available at most good supermarkets! 🐴

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 !

Yes, I thought a DD might go into anaphylactic shock when eating out last year when a careless? (eyes skyward) waitress failed to pass on the message properly to the kitchen.

Squiffy

*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 did wonder for a moment what dairy donkeys were😂😂

nanna8

It seems there are more and more of my friends and family having specific dietary requirements. We have gluten free, lactose free, meat free, onion free, chicken free, dairy free and that is just amongst people we know well. Are there more allergies around these days or is it just that we know more about what we should or should not consume ? Have to say it makes it difficult to ask people round these days and now we prefer to go out with friends rather than invite them round .

With two coeliacs (who are also lactose-intolerant) in the family, it is an auto-immune disease, not a lifestyle choice.

However - with so many people choosing gluten-free, lactose-free alternatives as a lifestyle choice, it does mean that there is far more choice now.

The downside is that some people (including waiting staff) smirk or raise eyebrows in some eateries if someone asks for gf food, not knowing how serious it can be if a person who is coeliac eats gluten.

I do agree, though, it can be difficult to cater for dinner parties so they tend to be a thing of the past chez nous!!

It now seems scarily common amongst children to suffer with intolerances, allergies and so forth. so much of what we live on nowadays would not be recognised as food a few generations ago, to say nothing of all of the toxins present in the home and wider environment.

In a restaurant today, the waitress who took our order asked if we had any allergies. I did say, 'avocados', though they don't bring me out in a rash but they make me horribly sick, so I suppose that that makes my reaction an 'intolerance'.

LRavenscroft

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.

Not when you really suffer if you eat the wrong foods. My Fodmap diet is like a minefield and that is with close scrutiny. Why? Because I had my gallbladder removed and it totally messed up my system. I also thing much is to blame on all the additives in much processed modern foods - factory manufactured bread and sauces for example.

I did say in an earlier post that I wasn't for one moment talking about people with genuine allergies or intolerances. Having my gall bladder removed also played havoc with my 'innards', so I can sympathise with you there. The FODMAP diet isn't intended to be followed on a long-term basis though.

Janejudge Not so much about allergies but the Indian food which is lovely is very high in saturates which can lead to early heart trouble and a lot of West Indians suffer diabetes
Mediterranean diet is supposed to be the healthiest

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.

Not when you really suffer if you eat the wrong foods. My Fodmap diet is like a minefield and that is with close scrutiny. Why? Because I had my gallbladder removed and it totally messed up my system. I also thing much is to blame on all the additives in much processed modern foods - factory manufactured bread and sauces for example.

No can't eat jaffacakes !!

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 !

Are you ok with Jaffa cakes?

Do you mind if I ask a question?

the question is, I live and work in an environment with people from overseas and they never ask about allergies or tell you what is in the food they are offering. I wondered if if allergies from food are more prevalent in the Western world?

I know they exist but it has just made me ponder whether it is something to do with our environment

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.

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 !

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

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 .

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!

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

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.

Some may even feel as shown.

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