My main thanksgiving meal, was pretty much dairy free. I ate ham and turkey, stuffing and squash. I skipped the mashed potatoes. I drank wine.  I drank my coffee black. I wasn’t really tempted by anything – until dessert. Cheesecake, Boston Cream Pie, Pecan Pie, Pumpkin Pie – a delightful dairy lovers dream. And I thought, why not. Its been 2 weeks. Lets see what happens. I popped a lactaid and ate a piece of cheesecake. it was heavenly. No belly ache or sudden urges, but I knew I ate dairy and suffered mildly for it later. But the point is I can eat cheese, milk, cream, ice cream – I will just get sick if I do.

If I had chosen the pecan pie I would have gone into anaphylactic shock and been hospitalized. Pecan Pie is not an option.

I am lactose intolerant, but I am allergic to tree nuts, peanuts and seafood.
What’s the difference ?

According to food allergy.org , “Many people think the terms food allergy and food intolerance mean the same thing; however, they do not. Food intolerance, unlike a food allergy, does not involve the immune system and is not life-threatening. Lactose intolerance, trouble digesting the milk sugar lactose, is a common example. Symptoms may include abdominal cramps, bloating and diarrhea.

A food allergy occurs when the immune system reacts to a certain food. The most common form of an immune system reaction occurs when the body creates immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies to the food. When these IgE antibodies react with the food, histamine and other chemicals (called “mediators”) are released, causing hives, asthma, or other symptoms of an allergic reaction.”

I am one of the lucky ones to have both allergies and intolerances in my foodie arsenal. you will never see me eat a peanut. But a light dusting of parmesan is entirely possible, though not recommended.