While not as dangerous as an allergy, food intolerances are an uncomfortable inconvenience that lead to plenty of daily woes and wistful sighs. While you read these and enjoy your a double cheese pizza with cupcakes and a glass of milk waiting for dessert, remember those of us who canÕt partake. The struggle is real.
These are some of the daily woes of those with food intolerance.
1. Cheese exists.
Cheese is magical and can be added to just about anything in all of its shredded melty glory to make your meal amazing. And it is amazing, until later.
2. When your classmate/coworker brings cookies for everyone.
No, itÕs cool guys, I have this salad with pricey gluten free dressing, and these rice cakes for dessert. Which leads toÉ
3. Everything gluten free costs more.
Want to get into baking? Instead of wheat flour, you better stock up on rice flour and xanthan gum.
4. Being invited to dinner parties.
Those lucky tolerant-of-everything eaters may not always realize what unsuspecting foods might actually contain lactose or, more commonly, gluten. IÕm looking at you, soy sauce. You want to be polite and eat whatÕs offered, but the sad truth is you might pay for it later.
5. ÒWould you like whipped cream on that?Ó
If only.
6. Trying not to sound pretentious when you order your gluten-free, lactose-free pizza.
Bring on the gluten free crust and soy cheese. And donÕt forget the hard ciders, because beer contains wheat.
7. ÒWhy are you such a picky eater?Ó
This question gets old after a while.
8. Trying a new restaurant.
Let me check their menu online first and make sure they have stuff I can eat. IÕM NOT PICKY.
Click Here To Read: 3 Takeout Recipes You Can Make Healthier At Home
9. The grocery store is no longer your grocery store.
Welcome to the world of specialty health foods (which is actually pretty great). Because of the huge markups on specialty health food at the regular grocery stores, many food intolerant eaters frequent health food stores for everyday groceries because of their larger specialty varieties and more competitive prices. 
The downside: thereÕs a super-mart on every corner, but only a few health food stores. So, shopping trips require more planning.
The upside: you get to shop at awesome locally owned health food stores in Wilmington, which benefits our community, and you don’t pay ridiculous prices for your favorite specialty foods. Win.
10. Knowing exactly what youÕre missing out on.
A lot of people develop food intolerances during puberty or after entering adulthood, which means youÕve had plenty of time to develop a love for all of those delicious foods you canÕt have anymore.
Despite all of these struggles, the truth is that most of us have turned to a healthier lifestyle due to our diet requirements, and thatÕs not such a bad thing. Want to take your healthy lifestyle one step further? Try shopping local! Click here to read about the benefits of shopping locally and how it affects you and your community. Your choice to shop local has more of an impact than you might think! If you’re interested in supporting your community while saving money on health foods, check out the benefits of becoming an Owner at Tidal Creek Food Co-op.
Click Here To See Owner Benefits
Looking for a quick bite? Don’t know where to eat gluten free in Wilmington?! Check out the daily Hot Bar menu at Tidal Creek! We regularly serve delectable gluten free and vegan entrees.