If you deal with food allergies, you've probably dealt with some questions that just make you shake your head or laugh in someone's face. I've been there so I thought I'd share some questions I am asked on a weekly basis and some responses.
Granted, there are still days I get upset/angry but, after several years, it has gotten easier to respond.
My favorite question after I list my allergies: "What do you eat?" My response: Food!
"I don't know how I would live without x." My response: I like living and breathing. That's kind of important.
"I would die without peanut butter. I eat it everyday." My response: I would go into anaphylaxis and and could die if I ingest it.
"No soy or fish? What is wrong with you?" My response: I am allergic. That means my body sees this as an invader and I react. I didn't choose food allergies. They actually just started occurring.
"What's so wrong with you?" My response (so not so nice): Nothing is wrong with me. I just have life threatening food allergies.
"How do you do it?" My response: I just do.
"Are you sure you're allergic to all that? I know how you could get rid of those. My response: there is currently no sure for food allergies. I am not interested in trying anything experimental or "natural." Thanks though!
Granted, there are still days I get upset/angry but, after several years, it has gotten easier to respond.
Awww sweetie, I'm sure it is hard dealing with all those questions! I'm sure I'd be guilty of asking some of them, just because it's so foreign to me. I enjoy seeing you post what you eat, because it helps me learn. So many of us don't know anything about food allergies and I think it's great that you advocate and help us learn :)
ReplyDeleteNo worries! 95% of the time, it's all good and I am a-okay with questions. Usually, what sets me off is negativity and tones. I'm an open book. Happy to answer questions!
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