About

Hi, my name is Georgia. I am a primary school teacher so have to keep things as private as I can- hence the smiley faces. I have an abundance of allergies and intolerances- some like to call it ‘fussiness’- when it comes to food. I also love to dine out so this obviously comes with its difficulties. I have no formal qualifications to call myself a food critic, I just like food I’m not going to potentially die eating.

In this blog I aim to help people find good quality food and service to fit with their dietary requirements. This blog is for those with allergies, those who are wanting to help a friend/ family member pick a good place to eat or those who simply want to know what its like to have your food options limited through no fault of their own. I hope I can help enlighten people, and maybe have some fun along the way.

To let you all know my dietary requirements is quite personal to me. For years I’ve been laughed at when eating out with friends, told to “grow up” and “stop faking it”- dad once bought me a chickpea curry for a lunchtime flight because he thought I was trying to be picky, I had to swap lunches with the flight attendant- when having an allergic reaction or to simply “see how it goes” when I know all too well exactly how me eating that strawberry will pan out. However, for me to help I must be honest and open. I never used to be allergic to anything, until I moved to Birmingham. I don’t know what caused my ‘food issues’ but I’d love to get to the bottom of it one day- I think, perhaps, the university lifestyle or the pollution in the city contrasting the crisp countryside air my lungs were used to.

I am allergic to (as far as I know); all fresh fruit, except lemon and lime; all nuts (as far as I’m willing to try); a variety of legumes including chickpeas; and certain alcohols such as rosé and jäger. I am intolerant to lactose and perhaps something else (tbc).

I’ve never had an official diagnosis, having been turned away by the uni doctor due to “a lack of Epi pens”. She told me I “should be fine with Piriton, if not just pop to A&E”, however all the classic signs were there (the swelling, feeling sick and being unable to breathe). Up until Boxing Day 2019 Piriton was working wonders. However, 26th December I was rushed to A&E after lunch with my boyfriend’s family due to sudden anaphylaxis. Thank goodness his mum’s a doctor- I was ready to wait it out but the Piriton hadn’t worked and I was itchy all over. I had a severe reaction, triggering me to finally book a proper allergy test. Only 5 months wait!

My first tip to anyone would be for them to be honest. Tell your waiter/ bar tender exactly what you’re allergic to. If they still bring you a side salad full of tomato when you’ve specifically told them you’re allergic you therefore have some back up for sending it back- or at least, you can feel less guilty about it.