Eating Safe
Sorry to break it to you, but the only solution recommended by numerous health sites is to avoid triggers – that is, don’t eat and drink what makes you sick. Easy to say, trickier to actually do. The list of foods and drinks with sulphites is lengthy, but so is the list of safe foods/drinks, too numerous to list.
Unfortunately, fast food and processed foods are often cheap, and more importantly, easily accessible. Who doesn’t want to come rushing in after work and have dinner ready in eight minutes or less? For someone with sulphite sensitivity, that may not be an option. Starting with raw ingredients and cooking from scratch will usually result in better health/fewer symptoms. You can’t eliminate sulphites, but you can dramatically reduce your exposure.
Choosing real foods from the outside aisles of the supermarket is usually the safest way to cook. That’s where the fruit, vegetables, dairy and meats are. It doesn’t guarantee those foods are sulphite free, since fruits and vegetables may be sprayed with sulphurs; flavored cheeses or yogurts could have sulphured spices or caramel color added, flavored meats (especially deli meats) could also be land mines.
Buying organic fruits, vegetables and even processed meats, such as organic bacon or sausage is usually safe, but still check the labels. A good rule of thumb is the fewer ingredients, the safer it is. If you get bored reading the label because it has a lot of unpronounceable ingredients, put it back.
There are many prepared foods and condiments that are safe (usually organic) but you have to educate yourself on dangerous ingredients and become a label reader because no one else can do it for you as well as you will. Don’t expect restaurants, grocery stores or even loved ones to understand. You need to be responsible for your own health.
Yes, organic foods do unfortunately cost more, but they are becoming more available and popular, with increased selection and choice. When you can’t eat cheap processed food, what else can you do? What price do you place on your health? As a bonus, eating less processed food will likely result in better health overall.
Growing a garden is cheap, as is roving the neighbourhood looking for fruit trees in the summer because most homeowners don't spray preservatives. Many people are willing to give away some of their produce because what isn’t used just has to be picked up off the lawn. Even as far north as
Another important thing to keep in mind is how to read packaging. Fortunately, organic products are growing in popularity. So is clever marketing. Read the label. Don’t grab for a package that boldly states ‘No Preservatives Added’. While it is undoubtedly true, bear in mind that some of the ingredients already have preservatives – the manufacturer just refrained from adding more preservatives on their own. Only organic is organic. No Preservatives Added may be somewhat better for you, but it still doesn’t mean it’s safe.