When people hear how I developed food allergies (or at least was diagnosed with them) in my mid 40′s and how many foods I am allergic to they usually tell me how horrible it is and how sorry they are.  There is nothing to be sorry about.  When you going from eating a “normal” diet to being as sick as I was you are happy to have relief any way you can get it.  So I was and remain grateful that my naturopath took the time to figure out what was wrong and put me on the road to a regular life again.  Before she diagnosed me I was unable to function or eat without getting sick for a long time.  I was still in the corporate world at that time in a position with a lot of travel and long hours so I was on heavy doses of meds that enabled me to work and take care of my family responsibilities.

Sure, when she told me that I was allergic to most of the top allergens and then some I was devastated yet relieved at the same time.  I already knew I was having bad reactions to milk and to anything with caffeine in it.  I had had an anaphylactic reaction to lobster 10 years earlier so I knew that shellfish was forever out of the question.  Now I knew I could not eat any wheat, (or gluten I soon learned), soy, peanuts, tree nuts, milk, corn or eggs.  I honestly did not know what I would be able to eat, but she put me on a very strict diet that got me back on the road to health.  It started with putting protein back in my diet, cooked vegetables (raw veggies can be hard to digest and my digestive track was completely decimated) and selected fruits as well as herbal teas, water and lots of supplements.

I was scrupulously careful for at least a year.  I lost over 25 pounds.  Even so my gut was so bad that I would get sick regardless of what I ate for some time.  But I finally started to heal and get back my health and strength, something that I am ever mindful of and grateful for.  It’s been over 6 years and I’m doing great in spite of the occasional setback.

This is the first in a series of blogposts I have started about what it’s like to live with food allergies.  Next time I will continue with how my family coped (or not) with my food issues.  I plan to discuss recipes and lifestyles too.

I welcome any comments and sharing of experiences and ideas.