Strategies for Eating Out with Systemic Nickel Food Allergy

First and foremost - whenever possible avoid fast food places and franchise chains. Focus on small, independently owned restaurants. Ask to speak to owner or chef, state your allergies and ask lots of questions. 

And do all of these if necessary ...

1)   take an antihistamine combo (H1 & H2 - like Zantac + Zyrtec) before and after the meal. Check with your GP or allergist re: what is advisable for you and your particular basket of health issues.

2)   with the meal, take at least 500 to 1000 mg of vit C if you can tolerate it – it will help with chelation of Nickel.  Some folks tolerate only smaller doses.  Start at 250 mg, and see how you fare.  

3)    take your vit C with meals every single day ... not just when you go out.

4)    take a good probiotic with L reuteri strain every day

5)    take an extra dose of the probiotic when you eat out

6)    drink lots of water, even more than usual when you go out

7)    on the day you eat out, take an antihistamine like benadryl or atarax at bedtime.

8)    take an extra dose of vitamin C at bedtime

9)    have a dairy-based dessert or bedtime snack for extra chelation

I did all of this on vacation last year x 2 weeks ... this was before I knew that SNAS was at the root of my massive flare-ups. I was fine the whole time for the first time ever when travelling ...

NOTE:  

• Not everyone needs to do step #1.  Some folks report that antihistamines don't help their symptoms much.  
• What is important to keep in mind is a healthy gut micro biome.  Digestive enzymes may be needed and there is research showing that DAO supplements or Quercetin can be helpful.  Talk to your health practitioner to see what might be helpful.  You may find that you need to take these in step #1, to be able to eat out.  

January, 2017