Dietary requirements - are people fussier now ?

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!

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.

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!

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?

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.

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.

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

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'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 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 😬🤭

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 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 .

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! 🤣

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.

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

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