Wednesday, February 16. 2005
celebrity diets have ruined wheat allergy understanding
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Yes, people's ignorance can be a huge factor in wheat sufferers day to day lifes. Regarding your story, that would have riled me so much to have been told "Theres no such thing as a wheat allergy". I think i would have left the hotel/guesthouse on principal!
Vis a vis your comments on "celebrity induced wheat allergy fads" Yes i agree, it does belittle our cause, and it annoys me when people complain about "how hard life is due to their wheat allergy" and then days later i see them eating a sandwhich because they are "ok with wheat now and again!" Grrr.
However, i take the wider perspective, and think its ok if people want to lead a wheat free lifestyle, even if they don't need to. Although why anyone wants to pays double or three times as much money for a limited wheat free range BY CHOICE is beyond me!
I shall tell you why this doesn't annoy me anymore. From an economic point of view, the more people who buy wheat free products, means that the larger this market will grow, and the more attention the supermarkets will pay towards it. This is turn will lead to a larger product range, and lower prices, as the niche aspect of it will reduce to be replaced by economies of scale.
That's my opinion anyway, and it makes me feel just a little bit better when i hear of celebrities following the wheat free lifestyle and the knock on effect that will have
Vis a vis your comments on "celebrity induced wheat allergy fads" Yes i agree, it does belittle our cause, and it annoys me when people complain about "how hard life is due to their wheat allergy" and then days later i see them eating a sandwhich because they are "ok with wheat now and again!" Grrr.
However, i take the wider perspective, and think its ok if people want to lead a wheat free lifestyle, even if they don't need to. Although why anyone wants to pays double or three times as much money for a limited wheat free range BY CHOICE is beyond me!
I shall tell you why this doesn't annoy me anymore. From an economic point of view, the more people who buy wheat free products, means that the larger this market will grow, and the more attention the supermarkets will pay towards it. This is turn will lead to a larger product range, and lower prices, as the niche aspect of it will reduce to be replaced by economies of scale.
That's my opinion anyway, and it makes me feel just a little bit better when i hear of celebrities following the wheat free lifestyle and the knock on effect that will have
Additional to your comments; that's wonderful news about North America!
I'm going to America this summer, and was pondering on whether the litigation society that exists there would help or hinder my efforts in obtaining wheat free fayre.
Somehow i was half dreading that they would wheel out contracts before you ate for you to sign, promising that you won't sue if they accidently give you wheat...
I am joking, but in actual fact, i have heard of some restaurants who have actually done this, not to wheat allergy sufferers, but to ordinary members of the public when they sold shellfish for fear of contamination!
I was really ill on my last trips to the states, five years or so ago, because i didn't know about my wheat intolerance back then. As you can imagine, a diet of hamburgers and subway sandwhiches did me no favours!
So glad to hear that hopefully everything food wise will be ok for me. Although, i guess i'll never be able to visit a pancake house again
On that note - Sweden has a good reputation to this affect concerning wheat allergy/intolerance awareness. Indeed, i managed to test this reputation out for myself two years ago in Stockholm. I asked wearily at breakfast in a hotel "don't suppose you have anything that is wheat free do you?" expecting the typical half smirking, glib reply recieved in all UK hotels i've stayed at: "No sir, i'm afraid not".
When in fact they replied "Of course" and then rolled out all these different sorts of wheat free bread and meats. I was gobsmacked!
One thing i've learnt though, is that it never hurts to ask, even if you know the answer will probably be no. If enough people ask, eventually they will think about catering for these customers, just like vegetarians are catered for in most restaurants now. (which for a long time was not the case).
In fact, a pub/restaurant near me, prides itself on producing quality wheat free meals, because they had been asked so many times by wheat allergy sufferers.
I'm going to America this summer, and was pondering on whether the litigation society that exists there would help or hinder my efforts in obtaining wheat free fayre.
Somehow i was half dreading that they would wheel out contracts before you ate for you to sign, promising that you won't sue if they accidently give you wheat...
I am joking, but in actual fact, i have heard of some restaurants who have actually done this, not to wheat allergy sufferers, but to ordinary members of the public when they sold shellfish for fear of contamination!
I was really ill on my last trips to the states, five years or so ago, because i didn't know about my wheat intolerance back then. As you can imagine, a diet of hamburgers and subway sandwhiches did me no favours!
So glad to hear that hopefully everything food wise will be ok for me. Although, i guess i'll never be able to visit a pancake house again
On that note - Sweden has a good reputation to this affect concerning wheat allergy/intolerance awareness. Indeed, i managed to test this reputation out for myself two years ago in Stockholm. I asked wearily at breakfast in a hotel "don't suppose you have anything that is wheat free do you?" expecting the typical half smirking, glib reply recieved in all UK hotels i've stayed at: "No sir, i'm afraid not".
When in fact they replied "Of course" and then rolled out all these different sorts of wheat free bread and meats. I was gobsmacked!
One thing i've learnt though, is that it never hurts to ask, even if you know the answer will probably be no. If enough people ask, eventually they will think about catering for these customers, just like vegetarians are catered for in most restaurants now. (which for a long time was not the case).
In fact, a pub/restaurant near me, prides itself on producing quality wheat free meals, because they had been asked so many times by wheat allergy sufferers.
It seems that a lot of the Western world is switching onto food allergies, unfortunately the UK seems to be lagging severely behind on this (see our news item 'Allergies - how sympathetic or knowledgeable are your GP and NHS?' 2/11/2004).
In the many trips to North America over the 6 years since having to avoid wheat I have never yet met an unhelpful or unconcerned restaurant. Which makes eating out a real pleasure rather than the normal stressful experience.
I can also add Norway to your list of wheat allergy aware European countries.
Would it be cynical to suggest that the worry of being sued by a 'poisoned diner' is the driver for this? Yes, actually I think it would.
The real problem is I think education, or rather lack of it. I've given up counting the number of times that British Airways have plonked a bread roll in the middle of my gluten free meal. I used to formally complain, but all i got was a 'one liner' response, and nothing changes.
So come on everybody make yourself known. Don't put up with second best, or lousy treatment, or a bag of crisps because that's all there is that's safe available. Shout about it. Complain officially. Don't put up with it.
And Chris, if you send us the name of the pub/restaurant near you that produces wheat free meals we'll publish it, after all they deserve some advertising for taking the trouble.
In the many trips to North America over the 6 years since having to avoid wheat I have never yet met an unhelpful or unconcerned restaurant. Which makes eating out a real pleasure rather than the normal stressful experience.
I can also add Norway to your list of wheat allergy aware European countries.
Would it be cynical to suggest that the worry of being sued by a 'poisoned diner' is the driver for this? Yes, actually I think it would.
The real problem is I think education, or rather lack of it. I've given up counting the number of times that British Airways have plonked a bread roll in the middle of my gluten free meal. I used to formally complain, but all i got was a 'one liner' response, and nothing changes.
So come on everybody make yourself known. Don't put up with second best, or lousy treatment, or a bag of crisps because that's all there is that's safe available. Shout about it. Complain officially. Don't put up with it.
And Chris, if you send us the name of the pub/restaurant near you that produces wheat free meals we'll publish it, after all they deserve some advertising for taking the trouble.
Most crisps are not a safe meal either!!! Tesco in fact sell their finest range of crisps for inflated prices and guess what cheap filler they have in there? You guessed it, bloody wheat! I never did get a straight answer from them when I asked why they added wheat when it wasn't necessary.
Chiming in from America here - I'm just learning how to eat wheat-free (and organic as much as possible). Not for fashion - for my health and my families health. We are all tired of feeling terrible due to the foods we eat here that are over processed, chemically-laden, genetically altered nightmares. I have suffered from diarrhea all of my life and never really knew why - just finding out that wheat is the culprit. Always assumed it was just my "unique physiology". Anyway, so far I haven't risked eating out, choosing to cook at home seems safer this early in the game, but I feel reasonably sure that US restaurants will be able to accomodate my needs (without glib comments).
On another note, just visited Wales for the first time last week - had the most amazing trip and I LOVED every part of it. Could pass on London given the chance again but I'm a country girl and cities never sit well with me. But how do you all afford to eat healthy, organic food? I was blown away at how expensive your food is. It's very high here in the states, but astronomical there.
And on a final note - remember that all you see when you read about the States is what the media wants you to see. Same here about all of you - the only thing I've seen in the news is the hub-bub over Prince Charles' wedding to Camilla and who's coming and who isn't but I'm quite sure that that isn't your only news nor I hope the most pressing. I'm 43 years old and have never been sued, sued anyone or even known anyone who has either sued or been sued. Sorry for having to chime in but still smarting from some anti-American comments made while visiting London (and on the news regarding the terrible tragedy in Minnesota...and on the plane home with a Londoner sitting behind me...)
On another note, just visited Wales for the first time last week - had the most amazing trip and I LOVED every part of it. Could pass on London given the chance again but I'm a country girl and cities never sit well with me. But how do you all afford to eat healthy, organic food? I was blown away at how expensive your food is. It's very high here in the states, but astronomical there.
And on a final note - remember that all you see when you read about the States is what the media wants you to see. Same here about all of you - the only thing I've seen in the news is the hub-bub over Prince Charles' wedding to Camilla and who's coming and who isn't but I'm quite sure that that isn't your only news nor I hope the most pressing. I'm 43 years old and have never been sued, sued anyone or even known anyone who has either sued or been sued. Sorry for having to chime in but still smarting from some anti-American comments made while visiting London (and on the news regarding the terrible tragedy in Minnesota...and on the plane home with a Londoner sitting behind me...)
Hey,
I live in Canada and went to a Restuarant called Ricky's. Before I ate I asked if there was wheat in the soup I ordered. They said no. After I ate I started getting a reaction (violent rash etc...) and when they produced the ingredients list, they had 'soup base' but didn't list the wheat containing ingredients. I complained and got my meal for free. Some places are bad about it, but if you get a reaction and complain then they will usually compensate you to shut you up.
I live in Canada and went to a Restuarant called Ricky's. Before I ate I asked if there was wheat in the soup I ordered. They said no. After I ate I started getting a reaction (violent rash etc...) and when they produced the ingredients list, they had 'soup base' but didn't list the wheat containing ingredients. I complained and got my meal for free. Some places are bad about it, but if you get a reaction and complain then they will usually compensate you to shut you up.
Good point, I actually did have a bad experience last time I was in Alberta. I'd eaten in the restaurant the previous night with no problems, and been impressed with their care, so thought that it would be the same success the following evening.
Unfortunately I chose a risotto dish, and was assured that it was wheat free. Now if the restaurant had made their own stock it probably would have been, however I expect that with hindsight it was pre-prepared elsewhere in catering packs.
Within seconds I knew something was wrong, and it certainly was. I was sure that the waitress and chef truly believed that the meal was wheat free without even thinking about the possibility of the stock mix. So I didn't complain.
But the moral from that is that now I NEVER choose anything with stock in it, or soups, when I am eating out, which does cut down the choice even further, but it's certainly better than having to pay for a meal that you've had to yak a few minutes earlier.
Unfortunately I chose a risotto dish, and was assured that it was wheat free. Now if the restaurant had made their own stock it probably would have been, however I expect that with hindsight it was pre-prepared elsewhere in catering packs.
Within seconds I knew something was wrong, and it certainly was. I was sure that the waitress and chef truly believed that the meal was wheat free without even thinking about the possibility of the stock mix. So I didn't complain.
But the moral from that is that now I NEVER choose anything with stock in it, or soups, when I am eating out, which does cut down the choice even further, but it's certainly better than having to pay for a meal that you've had to yak a few minutes earlier.
Hi guys
Im a 20 year old from london england who has just found out im wheat intolerant.this site is a lifesaver.Im in to the first 3 weeks of a wheat free life.
Im finding things really hard,I havent eaten out yet,Im not sure where to start,Im worried someone will not be able to provide the details of the food contents.I dont get an extreme reaction.If i eat wheat i get very bloated and look preganant.I am unable to fit in to my clothes properly.My skin sometimes itches.Im alarmed that quorn is no longer safe to eat.Ive been eating it alot lately.
How do you guys cope?
Am I allowed to eat Maize?
Jess
Im a 20 year old from london england who has just found out im wheat intolerant.this site is a lifesaver.Im in to the first 3 weeks of a wheat free life.
Im finding things really hard,I havent eaten out yet,Im not sure where to start,Im worried someone will not be able to provide the details of the food contents.I dont get an extreme reaction.If i eat wheat i get very bloated and look preganant.I am unable to fit in to my clothes properly.My skin sometimes itches.Im alarmed that quorn is no longer safe to eat.Ive been eating it alot lately.
How do you guys cope?
Am I allowed to eat Maize?
Jess
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