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Living with Food Allergies: My Struggle to Fit In

Sticky

708d

I’ve had an allergy to dairy, eggs, and peanuts ever since I was an infant. I am now 16 (going on 17) and although I am pretty much used to it, it’s still kind of depressing to always participate in events that don’t have anything for me to eat. Sometimes I cry because I feel like I’m not normal and that I’m missing out on everything all the time.

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Allergy to milk products

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    • clementine.c

      657d

      I completely understand your situation! Since I was an infant I have been allergic to dairy, eggs, all nuts, and shellfish. Then when I was 5, I tacked on Celiac Disease to my whole dietary list. As a teenager, it’s so hard explaining to people what it’s truly like because they don’t understand the social and mental toll food allergies have on every situation in your life. Food is such a social part of our culture and it sucks feeling so isolated and left out. I found that it really helps to find people who want to try the foods and meals that you can eat. It’s such a weird feeling sharing my favorite dairy free cheese with people who don’t shame me or think I’m disgusting for liking my typical foods. If you ever need someone to hear you out and talk reach out! It’s so hard finding this type of support.

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    • clementine.c

      657d

      I completely understand your situation! Since I was an infant I have been allergic to dairy, eggs, all nuts, and shellfish. Then when I was 5, I tacked on Celiac Disease to my whole dietary list. As a teenager, it’s so hard explaining to people what it’s truly like because they don’t understand the social and mental toll food allergies have on every situation in your life. Food is such a social part of our culture and it sucks feeling so isolated and left out. I found that it really helps to find people who want to try the foods and meals that you can eat. It’s such a weird feeling sharing my favorite dairy free cheese with people who don’t shame me or think I’m disgusting for liking my typical foods. If you ever need someone to hear you out and talk reach out! It’s so hard finding this type of support.

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    • wise

      708d

      yea, that really kicked my ass when I was a teenager too. I hated being the only one not eating or eating something different. every once in a while it still trips me out that there are things I will literally never taste, but at this point it doesn't upset me anymore, it's just one of those weird things, like saying a word a million times until it's not a word anymore. that gets easier to deal with as you get older, and what I started doing was bringing food I can eat for everyone to have, so at least I wasn't the only one eating the thing I made. I bring at least one dessert and one not dessert to every holiday dinner so I know I have something to eat, and I get to show off my skills a little lol

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      • Sticky

        708d

        @wise It’s nice to know I’m not the only one who has felt like this

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        • wise

          708d

          @Sticky it's especially difficult during your teenage years. you're doing a lot of emotional development and learning not just how to be a person, but what kind of person you are. it makes you super self-conscious, especially when someone points it out or doesn't believe you and says anything along the lines of "you can't possibly be allergic to that many things" as though there's a limit of one allergy per person 🙄 it gets easier to handle as you get older and have more control over both your food and your emotional responses

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☝ This content is generated by our users and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult with your physician before making any medical decision

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