First time post - wwyd and wdyt?

AnnieO1234

To be clear on what she can't have:

Lemons to do with sulphites
Ham or cured meats again sulphites
Bagged salad or anything in modified atmosphere packaging
Nothing that's made near nuts so bread isn't standard
No mayo, quiches, coleslaw, potato, carrot salads
No bottled or can drinks including water, only fresh fruit juice. Squash all now seems to contain sulphites.

Here's what I had planned and the V means it was vetoed

Garden salad with radish peppers watercress V
Coleslaw V
Carrot & raisin salad V
Potato salad V
Cheeses
Tuna
Continental meats V
Selection bread rolls V
Coca-cola, Fanta, Buxton maybe some robinsons all V
Ice cream from van V
Cheesecake V
Fresh fruit salad pre done V
Scones jam and cream V

This has all been drip fed to me since we first set it up. I am erring towards princess syndrome especially as sulphite abstinence seems to be the "it" thing at the mo.

Groan

peachyprice

She's allergic to bottled water? Really.

AnnieO1234

Apparently it "can" contain sulphites but isn't declared?!

Bufger

I'd go for a bottle of water emptied into a flask, pork pie and cheese sandwich. I'd make sure everyone else had an amazing spread of all kinds of things

Mojisola

Annisele wrote: »

I think I'd go for "I'm really sorry, but I'd never forgive myself if anything happened to your partner - so this time I think it'd be best if you brought the food."

I'd take this line too.

You've always catered for him but the GF (and her requirements) changes the status quo. If you manage to cater for her this time, you'll have set a new precedent and will have this problem every time she visits you. If you make a mistake, she could end up ill. If she doesn't trust your choices, she could refuse to eat anything which would be awkward all round.

Everyone I know who has serious allergies or is following a chosen restricted diet will always bring their own food if we do a shared meal like a picnic.

I don't think I'd have given in to the picnic or nothing plan. I would ask them to my home - she and your friend can have a wander round the garden if the children get too much for her or you can get the kids to play outside or in their rooms for a bit.

peachyprice

AnnieO1234 wrote: »

Apparently it "can" contain sulphites but isn't declared?!

So can all fruit juices, but she's happy to drink them as long as they're fresh, presumably had squeezed?

Giver her some cream crackers with a bit of cheese and make a yummy picnic for your own family.

onlyroz

I think you're really going to have to ask your friend to bring their half of the picnic food. If you need an excuse then just say that you're frightened of poisoning this woman and wouldn't want to have her death on your conscience for the rest of your life. Then you can pack whatever you like for yourself and your family.

For me, a picnic would include a variety of salads and breads, veggies and dips, sandwiches, sausage rolls, selection of pickles, fruit, yoghurt, jelly, biscuits and crisps. Washed down with juice, beer, wine, cider etc. How much I brought would depend on how many were going.

LE3

As somebody who has severe intolerances who regularly caters for people with different intolerances and allergies (yes anaphylaxis, epipen carrying allergies) I know how hard it can be, however the sheer number/type of things being vetoed such as bottled water are definitely pushing very hard towards princess syndrome!

One friend brought his own food to everything until he knew I understood the complexities of his allergies - I am allowed to cook for him at home now but he cannot eat out at all due to cross contamination. Yes, he lives a very restricted life, his only holidays are to stay with understanding friends, or very rarely a self-catering place, but that requires a full clean/sterilisation of the kitchen on arrival (not by him!) in case of cross-contamination, which takes upwards of 2 hrs!
I have a number of food issues & don't go out for the day without something I can eat - I'm lucky that I can usually find something that I *can* eat, but it's not necessarily what I always *want* to eat & sometimes I don't get a "full meal".

My solution would definitely be: "Jim, We really want to meet Suzie but I dont really understand the detail of her food issues and I'm very concerned that what I provide won't be suitable for her. I would hate to make her ill so please could you bring something that is suitable for her to eat?"

Foods that should be suitable:
Quinoa, brown rice, bulgar wheat or pearl barley (you could take all the bits for rice salad in sealed boxes for people to mix up what they can/want to eat?)
Fresh tomatoes, cucumbers & lemons (lemon juice in a bottle will contain sulphites but fresh lemons don't)
Boiled new potatoes
Chicken drumsticks or cooked chicken breast

Plain Yogurt with fresh squeezed lemon juice makes a nice mayo substitute

Acc72

Who's idea was the picnic ?

Who's idea was it that you bring the picninc ?


Why don't you all just go for lunch somewhere - you can order what you want to eat and she can order what she wants to (can) eat.

peachyprice

Acc72 wrote: »

Why don't you all just go for lunch somewhere - you can order what you want to eat and she can order what she wants to (can) eat.

The girl doesn't want to be in a confined space with the OP's 10yo child because children freak her out.