3 ways to be allergy aware

Whether you’re a sufferer or you have friends or family with allergies, these 3 ways to be allergy aware will make everyone’s lives easier.

In total 14 million Brits have an allergy of some form, and this is something that supermarkets have slowly but surely cottoned on to, judging by increasing stocks of free-from products such as gluten-free, lactose-free and nut-free.

However there are still very few restaurants and hotels who cater for allergy sufferers. The worst-rated allergies to live with in terms of difficulty are gluten (at 26%), dairy (at 23%), nuts (at 18%), eggs (at 12%) and lactose (at 9%). As a result 32% of people struggle to go to restaurants, 19% dread going to a friend’s house and 25% fear going abroad because of the language barriers and different diets. We love food but alarm bells are raised if it stops you from going on a much needed holiday or spending time with friends!

The EU’s Food Information Regulation has noted that some restaurants, such as Cotto Italian restaurant in Westminster, that cater for gluten-free, lactose-free and wheat-free diets, are starting to show allergen labelling. This is a great start, but there’s still a lot of work to be done.

3 ways to be allergy aware

Here’s how you can do your bit to make socialising easier – for yourself or for other people living with specific dietary requirements.

1. Invite friends for dinner

If you find that your friends are not sympathetic towards your allergy, a way to get around this is to invite them over to your house and cook them up something special to show them that eating a particular diet can be just as nutritious and delicious.

2. Do your research

If you are reading this because you want to invite a friend over who has an allergy, why not buy a cookbook that specialises in their particular allergy? This can teach you more about healthy living as well. Everyone’s a winner.

3. Find a venue that accommodates you

Go restaurant-hopping – places like The Rivington Grill in London’s Shoreditch will willingly alter their menus to your requirements.

So don’t be allergy afraid, be allergy aware! It can benefit you and your friends in many ways in terms of eating better, cooking together and exploring new places to eat. For more information visit www.udisglutenfree.co.uk.