What It's Like to Have Mammalian Meat Allergy

When I was diagnosed with alpha gal syndrome, I had no idea what that would mean for the next three years of my life. At first it seemed easy to stay away from beef and pork, but when I started having reactions because of medicine and supplements, the allergy got more complicated.

I was overwhelmed at first by each new allergic reaction caused by my Lyme disease. Many times I would stand in the middle of a grocery store aisle in tears, reading ingredients on a package. Food and cooking turned from a joy into a chore. Each meal I prepared for myself took longer than most, and any fast convenient food was very limited. When I did find something quick and convenient to make or eat, it was usually expensive. Soon this new life was my normal. Even my daughter learned the art of checking ingredients. When friends and family asked how we did it, I honestly didn’t know how to answer.

It was my life.
It was frustrating.
It was exhausting.

When I wanted to go out with friends or family, they would always have to ask, “Where can you eat?” I don’t hate making decisions, but when I am the only one making decisions, it exhausts me. Not all of my choices of restaurants pleased my friends or family. I carried that disappointment with me sometimes because I am a people pleaser. I even started dreading food events with my church or friends. I would make sure I ate ahead of time or just quietly said no many times over. Sometimes I could handle it, but the battle was too much on other days.

My life revolved around food.
My life was still joyful and fulfilled.
Even so, I made decisions only through the eyes of food.

On May 8 I got my allergy blood results back with glorious news. They were all negative. I could now have all mammal meat, almond, corn, oats, wheat, barley, whey, tomato, egg and much more. The most important to me was the meat. I have been eating chicken, turkey and seafood for almost three years. Not that they are bad to eat, but after three years it gets pretty old.

The first thing I went to eat was a burger with bacon. Real beef tastes so much better than a turkey burger. The reality check was waking up the next morning realizing I didn’t have a bad night of tightness in my chest because I ate beef. The last time I had some cross contamination with pork, a few hours later I couldn’t breathe. I had to take the only meds I am not allergic to and pray it would go away by morning.

I was caught off guard by the freedom I’ve felt since I found out this news. The next day, my daughter and I were heading downtown to a festival and I started to think, “what should I bring to eat?” Then it dawned on me I don’t need to think about that. I can eat the samples they offer. I can eat just about anything because I don’t need to worry about possible contamination with mammal products. And if you are new to alpha gal, you would be surprised how much mammal creeps into food without us knowing it — but that is another story for another day.

Freedom is all I feel now. I was so trapped by my food choices that everywhere I went involved me preparing hours ahead of time.

What if I get hungry?
Where can I grab something to eat?
What can I bring with me?
Do I have time to eat at home before we go?

All these questions filled every day of my life. It was my normal, but now that old normal is gone and I feel so free. I feel like the chains of food have fallen off and the stresses of making decisions have been lifted. I truly am a kid in a candy store, standing in front of all the meat with my eyes wide and mouth watering.

So many options.
So many decisions.
So much food I have missed.
So much freedom.

Bacon, pork, salami, goat cheese, marshmallows, chocolate, gummy bears, steak and much more! Even though I said I was tired of making decisions, these new decisions are a pure joy for me. I finally get to shop in all the aisles of the grocery store. I honestly never knew if this day would come. I just assumed I would have this forever, but now that I have recovered, I am so deeply grateful.

I can finally make a meal for the whole family to eat together.
I can finally enjoy a vacation without bringing my own food.
I can finally join in on dinner parties and social events.
I can finally have freedom to fully enjoy food!