Fed up cooking around every allergy

[NotMeekNotObedient]

Dealing with two sets of different but extensive food allergies. So fed up. Constantly getting complains, I dont like that meal etc. from one, the other loves it.

I literally have nothing I can cook. Everything has to be cooked from scratch. Eating out is a nightmare. There is one take away we can actually have.

I cook every night. The number of recipes I can cook around everyone's allergies and dislikes is dwindling. I dont know if lockdown is compounding this feeling but just so sick to the teeth.

Of course I will continue to do it but feeling really unappreciated. I feel like saying you can cook - you come up with a meal that suits everyone every night for a year in a row.

Sorry just needed a rant!

Anyone else struggle with this?

My life is a torture with it. I can't eat about 50 foods. It seems to be getting worse week by week. It's intolerances I have and after every meal I have stinging eyes and instant sleep. I am just awake after dinner at 7 and am now in for an awake night of restlessness. I would prefer to be dead at the moment.

I only have to deal with a dairy allergy and a fussy DD. If you're having to plan around multiple allergies, I really do feel for you

I used to have a multiple allergy child, a fussy asd child and a vegetarian diabetic husband. If it's getting you down, give me a shout with what allergies you have to avoid and I might be able to make some suggestions. I did it for 7 years before the allergies started getting better. We still often have 2 versions of the same meal at dinner (eg I will split at the point where you add dairy or gluten or meat

I hear your pain OP. My dc have multiple allergies, one slightly different to the other. Lockdown has generally put us in a food rut and I am so bored of cooking the same meals. Dh and I eat later than the dc so I end up cooking 2 different meals, our meals are usually ones the dc can’t or won’t eat.

Generally I just choose one form of meat or protein, one choice of carbohydrate and at least 2 veg (usually steamed). Thankfully dc2 will eat veg and is more fussy with different flavours and textures.

For example I will make pasta with added veg such as carrots, green beans and sweet corn. Then maybe add some bacon or vegan cheese. Dc1 will have passata or some other pasta sauce on top while dc2 has a tiny bit on the side in a separate little bowl. If they don’t like it then it’s usually tough luck.

It is difficult. Im gluten intolerant and have a slight dairy intolerance. It really limits your eating and yes, it does get wearing. I wish someone would do research into why so many people have intolerance/allergies to food now. When I was young it was rare to be coeliac etc. Nowadays it's much more prevalent.

Between my allergies, DD’s ASD food issues and Dh’s extreme pickiness , I’ve just stopped bothering to make proper meals. There is no way to satisfy everyone at once. I’m look to balance nutrition over the day and week, not at a given meal and if I’m eating a stir fry, dd is having cereal, and DH has grabbed himself fast food, but we all manage to sit down at the table at the same time, I consider that a massive success.

I feel your pain, we’re a family of 4 vegetarians 3 are coeliac one of which (me) is also oat sensitive and has a nut allergy, another has a life threatening shellfish allergy so have to be careful eating out of contamination

Oh and both teens and DH are fussy autistic eaters too. What one teen likes the other hates... did I say I feel your pain?

I meal plan, when I cook a rare meal that both teens like I do double portions and freeze or refrigerate so that when I do a meal they don’t like I’ve got something to slot in for them

I try rotating dishes potato rice pasta bread base so they can see what’s coming on the menu and have 3 base meals that everyone will generally eat apart from on bad days

I keep a stock of frozen jacket potatoes and filling available at all times and free from individual pizza (god bless Morrisons)

I found with DD that on difficult days she will still go for something I call a picky plate, small amounts of favourite safe foods mango sticks, strawberries, yogurt, bread sticks, sliced cheese, nachos, smoothies etc rather than overwhelming her with a full meal

I keep a weekly menu on the fridge so they know what’s planned and have time to ask for something else if they really don’t want it