If you live with food intolerance, know that you’re not alone. Millions of Americans, as well as citizens around the world, suffer from some form of food allergy or food intolerance. For some, it’s dairy products. For others, it’s peanuts. But no matter what food makes you ill, you should know some tips and tricks for not letting it rule your life.

Many people don’t go to certain functions because they’re afraid of being tempted to eat something that will make them sick. At restaurants they’ll order the same things on each visit, because they know that it’s the only thing that’s safe. A date often can’t cook for them for fear of putting the wrong ingredients in whatever dish is being prepared.

Don’t worry, you can live life normally even if you have food intolerance by repeating one thing to yourself: I’m normal and there are many others just like me.

Parties and Other Functions

It’s difficult when you go to a party to be offered a certain food only to turn it down. Some view that as rude. But if you know that eating that food, will send you running to the bathroom, or will cause intolerable migraines, or some other horrible symptom, you shouldn’t be tempted to eat that food. You don’t have to tell the host, or whoever else is offering it to you, that you have a food intolerance. Just say you just ate, and you’ll try some a little later, and then change the subject. The crisis is averted and you are free to enjoy the party while snacking on foods that agree with your body.

Restaurants and Dates

Restaurants and dates are lumped together because they often go hand in hand. A person with food intolerances will likely never branch out and try different menu items. Who knows what they put in those other dishes? There could be peanut oil in the sauce, and you’d never know it until your throat started to close, or your stomach lurched and you felt like vomiting. But you should try various foods. Live a little. And with dates, let yourself eat whatever you want. The trick is to try a little bit to see if it agrees with you. If it doesn’t, then try something else. You don’t have to forgo dates for fear of having some kind of reaction due to your food intolerance. You can always ask about the meals. Play it by ear, have fun, and don’t obsess over your food intolerance. Be wary but not obsessive.

If you have a problem with certain foods, go to an allergist or a doctor to see if they can help you out. If it’s something you’re just born with, you can learn to live with it. Tell people you’re not hungry when they tempt you, tell people you’re a picky eater, tell your date your favorite foods so they know what to cook for you, if they ever feel like it, (and tell them you hate whatever you’re intolerant to). By being creative, and not letting food intolerance rule your life, you’ll be much happier and life will be more enjoyable.