What OIT Gives You Back
Food allergies can be life defining. They affect your eating habits, your shopping habits, and even your social life. It’s not just a matter of “don’t eat (fill in the blank).
That’s why I jumped at the chance to do OIT. Yes, it was a long process. Yes, it takes courage, yes it takes dedication and perseverance. But it has given me so much in return.
Peace of mind. I don’t have to worry about reactions anymore. I don’t have to wonder if the restaurant dish is actually contaminated even though I scoured the allergen menu. I don’t have to wonder if that piece of fruit I ate at a party somehow touched someone’s hand which touched a cookie which touched my allergen.
Spontaneity. Now, I can just go out to eat with my friends and order whatever I want without calling the restaurant 3 times, scouring the allergen menu, and ending up ordering a dry salad. I can try that new halloween candy or that fun ingredient I found at the grocery store.
Using regular recipes. I can google a recipe and follow the instructions, with a fairly good assurance that it will turn out as planned. No longer does my brain have to go into substitution mode (“Ok, swap that out for coconut oil, so it might be a little softer. Oh, and I’ll have to use gluten free flour and sunflower butter, will it get crumbly?).
If you’re still on the fence about OIT, I promise you it’s worth it.