The Reality of Dietary Restrictions

Photo creds: Health Care Online

Many people in the world today are living with dietary restrictions, especially in the United States. For me, it was difficult in the beginning to figure out what foods might have hidden traces of the culprits I couldn’t eat, but the reality is that I am really no different than I was before. Taking the extra time to read labels and check menus has become second nature, knowing that if I am proactive I will be able to feel like myself and avoid being sick.

So what is a dietary restriction anyway? Allergies, intolerances, and restrictions caused by a connection to other medical conditions are all dietary restrictions. Generally, ‘restriction’ is used to address actual, medial related food complications. Pay attention to these five things when you are around restricted eaters:

Photo creds: BHB

Don’t assume: When in doubt, just ask – don’t assume you know if something is safe or not! We are happy to help or double check.  

Don’t tell us –  ‘a little bit won’t do anything,’ because it will do something.

Don’t ask what happens – symptoms can be personal, embarrassing, or hard to explain.

Don’t apologize – when you offer us something and we say no thank you because it isn’t safe, don’t apologize! We’re still happy you were polite and wanted to share.

Don’t steal our food when we can’t steal yours – if we can’t eat what you are eating, please don’t take our food! Not even half-sies.

Photo creds: Health Guru

• allergies
• dietary restrictions
• food
• healthcare