Dietary restrictions are limitations on individuals’ eating habits due to both voluntary and involuntary conditions. Examples of these constraints include health conditions like celiac disease, diabetes and food allergies. Additionally, cultural and religious restrictions involve individuals adhering to vegetarianism, veganism, Kosher and Halal diets. The labels on these restrictions appear as easily manageable and as only impacting consumption practices; however, the ingredients that comprise these conditions extend far beyond eating habits. Dietary restrictions go as far as impacting social interactions, daily mealtimes and mental health.
Traditionally, individuals can consume whatever appeals to them without a second thought. Those with dietary restrictions can consume foods only after weighing the risks on their health or beliefs. While many people understand the accommodations that are necessary for food restricted people, greater awareness can be shed on the overarching implications that dietary restrictions have on identities.
A study from the World Allergy Organization Journal states that 62% of patients detailed mental health concerns originating from their food allergies. These mental health concerns transfer to social meal settings. Without safe accommodations, individuals with dietary restrictions experience anxiety about their health and well-being when eating even a sandwich. Nowadays, restaurants act towards incorporating inclusive menus and mitigating risks of cross contamination. However, this is not the case everywhere.
According to an article from the National Library of Medicine, there is a positive correlation between psychiatric disorders – such as depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia – and diabetic individuals. In the cases of diabetics, daily mealtimes are drastically different than other individuals: they must keep track of how much glucose they can/should consume. Not being able to fully relax and enjoy a traditional meal with friends and family, dietary restricted people are forced to hyper focus on what they are consuming. Finding people that understand the accommodations that must be put in place to ensure the health of these individuals is imperative. Not everyone will understand, but those who do exhibit compassion and understanding of various identities.
As an individual with dietary restrictions, you are forced to advocate for yourself in daily meal settings. Traditionally, mealtimes with friends and family bring people together. However, it can be uncomfortable if you must alter the plans of others to find a safe food option for yourself. These fears can lead to feelings of fear, panic, and anxiety. Finding people/restaurants that understand and are accepting of your accommodations can increase well-being.
Harper Lee’s quote “You never really understand a person until you consider things from their point of view…until you climb inside their skin and walk around in it” applies to understanding all individual differences regarding the human condition. For individuals with dietary restrictions, aspects of life beyond consumption practices are altered. Insignificant events such as going out to grab lunch with friends, being offered a piece of food at a potluck, deciding whether to try new food and even going to a dining hall are all decisions made with dietary restrictions in mind. People that understand individual differences such as these support an entire community of people through their actions.
Times are changing and various restaurants are adapting to accommodate various restrictive diets, reducing negative consequences that result from insensitivity. Becoming aware of these seemingly mundane accommodations is a step towards creating more inclusive traditional meal settings.
UF PRISM 