It is common for those who have illnesses like ME/CFS, Fibromyalgia and Interstitial Cystitis to also have allergies and sensitivities to food. In speaking with many patients who have either one or all three of these chronic illnesses, food sensitivities seem to affect everyone across the board but what each person is sensitive to varies.
It can be difficult daily to try and avoid the foods that make us feel worse but around the holidays it gets particularly tough. Just the normal stress of the holidays can make our symptoms flare and then add to that eating all of the foods that are abundant this time of year and we are in real trouble. If you have food sensitivities, you know that it will make your fatigue worse, your IBS symptoms worse, and your sleeping problems worse.
So how can you still enjoy the holidays without making yourself sick?
- Search for popular holiday recipes alternatives that you can make for your holiday dinner or take with you to a family dinner.
- Try to avoid the foods that you know will make your symptoms flare.
- If you are going to a family holiday dinner, see if the host/hostess will be willing to work in some alternative foods that you can enjoy.
Good suggestions. I have two more thoughts —
1) bring your own munchies or side dishes
2) trust your instincts – even if the host swears the dish is safe for you, if you have doubts, avoid it graciously.
Great ideas! I always bring a fruit tray or fruit salad to everything I go to, that way I’ve got something sweet to eat.
I agree with Barbara K. about trusting your instincts – so many reactive foods are hidden in processed foods that people without food allergies don’t even think about.