Living with Food Allergies: Overcoming Challenges

Since going gluten-free over 3 years ago and being highly allergic to soy, peanuts, and legumes for one year, I'd had my fair share of ups and downs. I know most people dealing with multiple food allergies have probably at one point dealt with many of the following things:

• People telling you (directly or indirectly) that they think you're limited or "damaged goods" due to your strange immune system.


• Strangers commenting on your weight or body in a negative light.


• Misunderstandings about what you can and can't eat, and others seeing you as difficult due to your limited diet.


• Feeling alone or isolated from people, close and not so close, that don't fully understand your situation or refuse to acknowledge it.


• Struggling with safe food choices and keeping a balanced diet despite numerous restrictions.


• Self loathing or feeling inadequate due to being different with food allergies.


• Frustration on not being able to eat what everyone else does.


• Depression/Anxiety over your permanent situation.


• Feeling the need to apologize to others for your special diet or food allergies.

At first, I had a hard time grappling with the changes that had been shoved into my life without my consent. I felt myself asking questions like, "Why me?" or "How am I going to overcome this without losing myself?". The truth is, all of the above have come to be great and priceless blessings, even if it felt like the absolute opposite at the start.

Using these obstacles as stepping stones to building yourself back up after the fall takes patience and practice, but will ultimately make you stronger and more resilient than anyone or anything aiming these negative energies your way. Some of my best days have been laughing in the face of what seemed to be impossible to live with. I am constantly surrounded by food I cannot eat everywhere I go, but that doesn't mean my attitude needs to be sour. Let your light shine brighter and learn to love what you do have. Here's some of the many things I'm thankful for and that have taught me to embrace my radiant self, no matter what's testing me that day:

• Precious and delicious food that I can eat


• Learning to be my own gourmet chef and rock it out in the kitchen whenever I have a craving (waaay cheaper, healthier, and more fun than a few rounds at a run of the mill restaurant).


• My support system: Family is forever and the ones you can trust to just "be there" truly shine with you through the challenges making you realize your full potential and grace.


• The power of nature, nourishing the body, mind, and spirit, and keeping life simple.


• A positive outlook changes your life, and no one can take away your own powerful thoughts.


• Organic, pure, and real food.


• Small steps and victories that reaffirm you are capable of anything you focus on overcoming.


• How small and big my life seems at the same time when I look at the sky.


• Others negativity ultimately becomes my strength.


• Love. Pure and Simple.

That list could go on probably forever, but you get the idea. Overcoming challenges from living with special diets or food allergies can be difficult, there's no question about that. It's what you do with the opportunity that's knocking. Let your little light shine and be authentically you. You don't ever have to apologize for that. You are strong, beautiful, and you are the one that's in control. What will you do with your blessings today?

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