What you can't eat at Christmas?!

It's tricky isn't it, negotiating both the actual food and the various emotional investments in it. I'm currently negotiating around gluten, which makes me quite ill.

When I invite people over I always ask if they have any likes or dislikes regarding foods and try to accommodate them as best I can. We're all different and the whole idea of being a hostess is to make things as comfortable as possible for your guests.

Bread is a killer for me. The reflux is sore when I eat that. My oesophagus goes into spasms if I eat too much or too rich foods. It feels like I’m having a heart attack so the juice really isn’t worth the squeeze. Throw in IBS, diverticulitis and eggy burps and I make pleasant company. For those like me, I wish you a comfortable Christmas.

I'm quite limited over Christmas with what I can eat. Fish is fine so we've splashed out on lobsters, crevettes and oysters. I'm due major bowel surgery end of Jan. So will be on a clear fluid diet only for 5 weeks with ghastly liquid supplements. A very miserable January and with docs strike I can't be confident that surgery will go ahead when planned. Just going to enjoy what I can eat and drink.

I'm beginning to have problems with pastry in that it seems to sit in my stomach for hours. I guess it's too fatty.

Homestead62

I'm gluten intolerant with a few of the conditions others mention, I feel your pain. This Christmas Ive had real difficulty getting some GF treats and sometimes find it all depressing. You are looking at all these treats, can't have that, cant have that and then you are reduced to something wrapped in sellophane while everyone else enjoys a lovely cake of some kind. Going to folks houses, I take my own usually and you just feel awkward. Sorry for the moan.

I totally understand the gluten free diet being gluten intolerant myself . I use Becky excells books ( the Christmas one is particularly good). If I’m going to be at someone’s house over the holidays I usually offer to bring some goodies over. Usually those who aren’t gluten intolerant can’t tell the difference anyway!

We have coeliacs in my DiL's family and they are experimenting going gluten free for my grandson. It's really hard to ayto a 5 year old that he can't have something his sister can have and try to get him to eat something els.
I am on Ozempic injections for my diabetes and that causes all sorts of issues. I've gone off lots of foods I used to like and my appetite is much reduced. The plus side is I've lost loads of weight but the minus is that I can experience sudden upset tummies. Yesterday I travelled 200 miles with my gut playing up and was terrified at one point that I wouldn't make it to the next services! Thankfully I did! I'm currently reducing my dose and hope the side effects will reduce as time goes on but I don't want to risk putting back the weight. This week I've injected a lower amout in the hope I can enjoy Christmas day's meal but there is no guarantee, so I sympathise with all fellow sufferers.

Me! I can't eat much at all. A combination of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, stomach surgery and IBS means eating out is awkward to say the least.

I was invited to a lunch today and luckily there was a well blended soup I could manage. Now lying on the sofa in pain.

Oh yes, I can certainly relate. I have an auto immune disorder and it has affected my liver diagnosed in Cleveland, Ohio at the clinic almost 3 years ago and I am very very stable and my diet is exceedingly strict, low-fat low sugar, low salt so I do struggle with keeping weight on which is important in case there’s a relapse down the road, but I sure can relate to people with food issues and going out or to other people’s homes. It’s so difficult my heart is with you. ❤️

LUPIN.
When allergic to it!
Advice!
Always read the labels!

I have IBS and am dairy intolerant. I really struggle with eating after 6pm. I can just about manage up to about 7pm if I dont eat cruciferous veg or meat, but any later, or any food that is dodgy for me, and I am up all night. Actually I can work around the IBS and dairy fairly easily, the eating late issue is much more problematic. In a restaurant if the meal is 'late' I eat as little as possible and as bland as possible. Invites to friends are the most problematic. Its socially unacceptable to say you can only eat early and usually friends invite you for 7.30 with no option to eat virtually nothing. Cue sitting up all night groaning in agony.

You can buy gluten free flour and make your own. There’s lots of recipe books ( library) to help. I can eat anything but cook for friends who have all the above problems. The GF flour is so good I can’t taste the difference 👍

I can't have sugar or high carbohydrate foods or alcohol. If I allow myself one of whatever it is, it will destroy my resolve and I will binge. It's like being an alcoholic who starts to drink again. If I'm feeling like I might give in, I don't go to the dinners. I'm debating about going to the community Christmas dinner this year. I'm feeling like I might cave in to the compulsion.

My DDil is coeliac. Today I’ve made her gf rock cakes with gf flour. I can’t tell the difference. Tomorrow it’s gf sausage rolls.

I have Barrett’s Oesophagus so have to be careful either way alcohol and acidic foods , I generally take alcohol free drinks with me and just avoid any trigger foods , it doesn’t spoil the enjoyment and I can usually drive home which is a bonus

That should say with not either way 🤦‍♀️

Yes, I have the same issue and always eat at home before I go out. I m on a low acid diet, lactose free diet and FODMOPS diet. I don’t remember what all of those letters stand for but it is basically no Frutose which is in everything. I have had this condition, always under the care of a GI specialist and it gets worse as I age. I am 88. I used to live food, but it is a chore now.
I am from USA so some of these terms might be different than UK. Thanks so much for sharing.

SunnySusie

I have IBS and am dairy intolerant. I really struggle with eating after 6pm. I can just about manage up to about 7pm if I dont eat cruciferous veg or meat, but any later, or any food that is dodgy for me, and I am up all night. Actually I can work around the IBS and dairy fairly easily, the eating late issue is much more problematic. In a restaurant if the meal is 'late' I eat as little as possible and as bland as possible. Invites to friends are the most problematic. Its socially unacceptable to say you can only eat early and usually friends invite you for 7.30 with no option to eat virtually nothing. Cue sitting up all night groaning in agony.

This is my problem. I actually sat at a Christmas dinner with twelve people around the table all eating fabulous food and on my plate were two oat biccies and a glass of water. We do have a hotel near us which caters for all my problems and I can eat a three course dinner with no problem. It is the only hotel where I live that will do this. Just can't eat after 6 p.m. without dire consequences.

We are having a family get-together tomorrow: one gluten-free, two vegan.
Today's bakes are suitable for all of us: banana bread, lemon sponge with raspberry jam, shortbread 😋

Myly mother could not tolerate eating turkey as she was allergic to tuarine.

It made her really ill

So we had a beef or lamb roast Christmas Dinner.

Oh yes, IBS dominates everything I eat. I don’t eat with my AC any more, unless they’ve given me advance warning!

…meant to add, I usually eat around 5pm, never after 6pm, today I’ve driven back from visiting my brother who knows not to offer food in case I react to it, I roasted my chicken and potatoes much too late and ate at 8pm, so I imagine I’m in for an uncomfortable night. May as well go for broke and have a mince pie too.

Buscopan at the ready.

A lot of people do not understand food intolerance and treat them merely as a preference. I am a coeliac who very rarely drinks alcohol just the very occasional brandy or sherry to be sociable. One of my Christmas presents this year from a relative who should know me better was a bottle of red wine, a stollen, and some chocolates with a not gluten free warning. I didnt hide my expression quick enough and was met the comment I thought it would be OK for a special occasion,. All you can do is smile and say thankyou.

I have an ileostomy so don't eat or drink after 6pm. I would be spending the evening in the loo if I did.

Romilo, I cannot believe someone would buy that as a gift for a Coeliac person, it's a very serious condition. I'm gluten intolerant and unless a genuine mistake, I wouldn't be too happy either. Mind you, Ive met a few people who think my gluten- intolerance is a fad! I wish to goodness it was.