Huffington Post Says it’s Okay to Question Food Allergies
| January 28, 2012 | Posted by Lisa Sharp under Uncategorized |
I was pretty upset to read Huffington Post’s article “Food Allergies Much Less Prevalent Than Claims Of Food Allergies, According To Expert.” They talk about how over 20 percent of Americans claim to have food allergies while only three or four percent have a “full-blown allergy” to a food. They claim this means you can go ahead and question if someone really has an allergy.
“That means that the next time you encounter someone who claims to be allergic to a food you like, you should feel free to ask them pointedly whether their claim is medically valid. But if they maintain that it is, just defer to them.”
As someone that has both food allergies and what they seem to think is no big deal, food intolerance, this is upsetting. Let me tell you what life with food allergies is really like and why you should take someone’s word if they say they have an allergy.
What life with food allergies looks like, everything I have to carry with me.
I have a wide range of food allergies and intolerances, ranging from life threatening to annoying. I have a life threatening allergy to mushrooms, I have had three reactions and none of these times have I eaten a mushroom. The first time was after eating some pizza, I started having a severe asthma attack. I was at a friends house and had taken my inhaler the recommended amount and it wasn’t getting better. I also was starting to lose feeling in my face and my lips were swelling. My brother rushed my home, and I mean RUSHED. My mom met us at the door with more meds and hot tea (which helps open your airways). The pizza I ate had just touched mushrooms, I didn’t eat any.
The second time was again with pizza. I had told the pizza place I had a life threatening allergy and my food couldn’t come in contact with mushrooms. So I thought I was safe and was sitting there enjoying my pizza when my friend said “umm… there is a mushroom on this piece of pizza.” I had even checked before I ate, so I thought but there it was, in between the slices. I rushed to the bathroom to get Benadryl and grab my inhaler. Thankfully, because I quickly took meds, before I even started to have a reaction, it wasn’t a horrible reaction. However, I refuse to eat pizza out now.
The third time was at one restaurant I will eat at because one of the owners was a nurse and has taught the staff what an allergy really means and how to deal with them. Well we got a new waiter and he clearly didn’t understand “life threatening allergy.” My husband ordered a steak that normally has mushrooms but got it without. Well the waiter didn’t put that on the ticket and bought his steak out covered in mushroom sitting next to my plate on his tray. I wasn’t thinking and felt stupid sending my food back (because of how people treat allergies!) so we sent the steak back but I ate my food.
During dinner I started having some trouble breathing and feeling like I was going to pass out, my husband looked at me and said “um.. you are really pale” and it finally hit me, I was having an allergic reaction. I took Benadryl and my inhaler and we rushed home. When I got home I had to take more Benadryl and more of my asthma meds and my husband had to rush to the store to get other allergy meds. Turns out the waiter hadn’t put my allergy on the ticket or told the kitchen, the owners took care of this problem and now I know to ask for waitstaff that I know.
Now I also have allergies that aren’t as severe such as my peanut allergy, I seem to have reacted once to peanuts but another time I didn’t when I had some. However, my mom and uncle are both allergic so I avoid them. Same thing with tree nuts, it’s safer. With food allergies the reaction often gets more severe each time so it’s not something to risk. I also have some sensitives, like I can’t have much milk or I have digestive issues, nitrates and MSG give me cluster headaches (VERY painful), large amounts of eggs make me very very ill, chocolate gives me a rash and makes my lips swell if I’m already having allergy issues, and some other things like that. Those aren’t fun reactions even if they won’t kill me.
Eating out is often scary for me. I have to wonder “did they take my food allergy seriously”, “am I going to have a reaction”, etc.. When traveling we have to know where all the nearest hospitals are in case I have a reaction. I have gotten to the point where I rarely eat out and only some places. I try and go to places where the staff is very well trained or that just don’t have any mushrooms. And yes I do get asked “are you really allergic or do you just not like mushrooms.”This is rude and hurtful. And this is why I’m very disappointed in the Huffington Post for encouraging people to question food allergies. So some people may be lying or have lesser reactions than death, all allergic reactions should be taken seriously and it’s better to be safe than have someone die because you didn’t believe them.
My husband always jokes that I’m not allergic to coconut, I just hate the taste of it. It’s true, I do hate the taste. But at the same time, I will admit that explaining the difference between “allergic” and “mildly allergic/sensitive” just takes too much time. I’m not going to die if I eat coconut, but I’m going to be very sick in the bathroom for a few hours afterward.
In a sense I do kind of agree with the initial point that the Huff Po makes with so many people claiming they have allergies when they are really just sensitive (myself included). I say this in light of the number of people I know who claim allergies for their children, but have never had them tested. I feel like all too often people use the allergy bit as an excuse to not eat something or (in the specific case I’m thinking of) get attention. Dairy allergies run in my family. My 9 month old seems to have some trouble digesting dairy, but I’m not going to throw in the towel and declare her allergic. We will wait and keep trying to see if she does any better in the months to come. And if not, we’ll seek actual medical confirmation. Not drama.
There is a family that attends our church and my MOPs group. The father has declared his daughters allergic to partially hydrogenated oils and “cheap” snacks. Personally, I think he’d get more respect on the issue if he just told the child care workers he didn’t want his girls eating certain things rather than making a big dramatic point out of it. Because the thing of it is, people can sense drama where it doesn’t belong. A while back I read an article about food allergies that declared a lot of parents were making allergies fashionable… and I agree. Far too often, I think it’s used as a talking point or something to set themselves apart.
This of course, doesn’t include your situation. Obviously, there are serious allergies, but when every body and their hamster seems to have some sort of “allergy” or special food need, I feel like it takes away from those who really, really need the attention. However, I will probably continue to call myself allergic since I hardly ever come in contact with coconut. And if I miss it… well… just hope there’s more than one restroom around.
Yeah I’m not saying there aren’t people that don’t have allergies but telling people it’s okay to question them is not okay. It’s scary and hard enough for me to eat out as it is. I haven’t been tested but not sure you can test for mushroom allergies and it’s pretty clear I have one. Clearly my doctor believes me since I have an Epi-pen haha. My other sensitivities and allergies have been found through elimination diets. Since I have severe asthma I have to be extra careful, even with “mild” allergies as they can set off an asthma attack which is life threatening. I have watched my mom almost die from asthma attacks set off by allergic reaction. Food allergies are very serious and Huffington Post made light of that fact based on the fact that not all food allergies are deadly. I have to wonder if that 3-4 percent counts allergies that would be mild without asthma but due to asthma are very serious or if it just counts anaphylaxis.
Asthma brings a whole new consideration into play. While it’s true that not all food allergies are deadly, they aren’t something to be taken lightly. The sad reality of this article’s impact is that people will read it and shrug off adults who list a problem. Have you written to complain? you really should. Someone needs to.
I tweeted this to them, I think I’m going to write them as well. Clearly whoever wrote it hasn’t watched someone (or been the person) struggle to breath after an allergic reaction.
Wow. I already hate having to ask waiters not to put something in my food, as most of them roll their eyes ever so slightly. This kind of thing wlll just make it more difficult.
I don’t have many allergies when it comes to food, but I have some I am intolerant to. Such as milk or onions (which is why I’ve never tried carmalized onions)…they both make me sick for hours. I did have a reaction once to pecans (I broke out in hives), but haven’t again.
Where does Huffington Post get off thinking they can write this? Are they medical doctors?
I’m sure they thought it was no big deal and didn’t think about what it could mean for those of us with food allergies.
I understand what the Huffington Post is saying. I am in Culinary school and we have talked about this. There is an alarming amount of people that don’t have an allergy or an intolerance that claim to because they don’t like something or because of a certain trend diet they are on. I understand needing to make arrangements for needs, but I wish people would be honest as to way they are ordering a certain way instead of just claiming to have an allergy or intolerance. It just leads waiters and chefs to question are they telling the truth. You would be mad to go out of your way to do something for someone and the next time they come in they order something that has that ingredient in it. I am not trying to start a fight, but I also feel like if can’t eat something then why put that risk in someone else’s hands. There is trend of restaurants not changing their menu for people. They would rather you experience the food the way they plan it or not at all. Also, some restaurants react better if you call ahead (usually 24hrs) to talk to the Owner or Head Chef about your special diet needs. I truly think the Huffington Post is trying to point out those people who lie about their allergy or intolerance. A sort of “We know what you are doing and you are ruining for those that truly have this problem. Stop it.” Report.
I’m confused, are you saying people with food allergies should just stay home? I rarely eat out because so few place seem to be able to handle food allergies. I’m not asking anyone to change anything. I never order food that comes with mushrooms on it, but if my food is cooked where mushrooms were cooked I could have a reaction so I have to tell the staff. I’m always willing to change my order if it’s an issue, I try and make it as easy as possible.
But seriously should I just never eat out? Often out of town I just get Chipotle because they don’t have any mushrooms, or I find a Whole Foods and find things I can make in a hotel because sometimes it’s just not worth trying to explain my allergy and sometimes being questions or just blown off. I HATE IT. Yes I wish people didn’t fake allergies but I also don’t think only life threatening allergies are an issue. Like I have said I have asthma so any allergic reaction can turn life threatening for me.
I try so hard to make it easy for restaurants to deal with my allergies, I do. And when staff treats me well we leave VERY big tips and I thank them. I truly appreciate staff that treats my allergy with respect. However if a restaurant makes me feel like I’m a huge problem or unsafe I will not go back. This is the case with one restaurant were a manager was a jerk to me and acted like I was just making it up and it was no big deal. We left and will not be back. I was almost in tears. We then went a place I go often because I know the staff and they were upset about the story as well and couldn’t believe they couldn’t handle it because they know I don’t want much, just to not die. Again I will change my order and I NEVER order something that comes with mushrooms.
I’m not saying that you should stay home. You have every right to eat out. I just don’t trust people. Being in the industry there are as many good apples as there are bad apples in the kitchen. If I had an life-threatening allergy, I would not trust people. If you have found managers that work with you, that is great. I admit I don’t have any allergies or intolerances, but I do understand the severity of them. It’s just being in the industry it is very frustrating to bend over backwards to accommodate someone and find out that they were lying. Food Allergies and Intolerances are pain for both sides of the street (those with them and those who make the food) and the people lying about it are the ones that are making it worse. I guess my biggest thing is don’t completely blame the industry, because there are a lot of places that will do their must to your needs.
I don’t trust just anyone. This is why there are only two places in town I will eat and a handful others places. I tend to pick nicer places as the staff is better trained and there is less turn over.
I’m sorry but something being annoying (I can’t see how annoy it is with people like me that are more than willing to work with the staff and switch my order, I would be more annoyed at picky people who just want to change the whole menu item haha) is nothing like having something that could kill you. I would MUCH rather have to go out of my way to take care of an allergy for someone than have a life threatening allergy.
I’m not blaming the industry (I’m good friends with lots of people in it), I’m calling out Huffington Post for making it even harder for people like me. And like I said when I find a place that treats me well I tip well, thank them and I’m sure to go back and tell others to go there. Just today I emailed a restaurant to tell them how well their staff treated me and how much it meant to me. I also now go there pretty often. It’s not like they have to do that much to make me happy. I order things that don’t come with mushrooms and they simply wash their hands or wear clean gloves and make my food away from mushrooms.
Trust me if you treat those with allergies with respect and kindness at least most of us will try and return the favor the best we can.
It is the food allergic community that should be mad at those lying. It is them that his is truly affecting. However, I frankly think the idea that people are lying about food allergies in great number is probably overblown. For the peron working in the food industry, your customers eat out to celebrate, meet a friend, or enjoy some type of social experience. At it’s most basic, food is meant to be life sustaining. However, people are not eating at restaurants solely for nourishment, but the experience and social experience. For my son, milk, egg, peanuts, tree nuts and wheat are life threatening. I have saved my son’s life twice due to two anaphylactic reactions. This is a scary, life threatening and SOCIALLY isolating condition. While eating at a restaurant is far too risky for him, simply advising all FA people (whose conditions all vary) to stay home and not eat out lacks sensitivity and an understanding of issues
associated with FA’s beyond just eating.
Oh I agree and I am mad at people who lie about food allergies. And I also think the numbers are overblown, it sounds like HP was making out that if you don’t have anaphylactic reactions it’s no big deal. Which is so wrong!
And yeah with your son’s allergies it would be so hard to make sure the food is safe. Even with my mushroom allergy it can be hard, doesn’t seem like it should be. Truffle oil is one thing I have to watch for. And yes FA are socially isolating! I’m lucky and have two places in my town where I can eat but if people are going some where else I’m forced to stay home or eat before and just have a drink while they all eat.
More even than HuffPo writing about this, I take issue with this: “according to experts at the Jaffe Allergy Center, disregard for allergies is, to some extent, justified.”
First off, past reactions don’t guarantee what your next reaction will be like. So maybe the very next time a person eats the allergen it will go anaphylactic, even if it never had before. And I know people with intolerance reactions that are quite debilitating–for DAYS–even though not life-threatening. So they shouldn’t be able to request accomodations because it doesn’t show up on allergy testing? I disagree. And I have an epipen-toting allergy kid.
I think it’s ethically wrong for people to lie about allergies/intolerances just ’cause they don’t like stuff. (Cripes, pick it off if you don’t like it!) But I think that the Jaffe Center is doing an enormous disservice to those of us who do have to deal with anaphylactic allergies, Celiac, severe intolerance or whatever by making statements like that. It just encourages people to feel justified in posting their hateful, abusive comments on web sites (though I should say that I’m impressed to see actual intelligent conversation about it here on your site), yelling at us to keep our allergic children at home. And those people sure don’t seem to need any encouragement!
I agree and yes the comments here have been much kinder! I couldn’t handle the ones on the HuffPo article!