Allergies!

[Generic]

Why... when an allergy can kill you, can you not mention what it is specifically, so I don't have to ask 20 questions. Allergy to nuts doesn't include peanuts... because they aren't a nut! And for the sake of a few dollars, carry that damn epi-pen if it's a deadly allergy... can you imagine living the rest of your life with the regret of watching someone die because you wanted to save $80 on an epi pen!

 

[Morticia]

If we get 'nut allergies' I don't make anything with nuts, even peanuts. We get people who say 'tree nut allergy' like I'm supposed to know which nuts grow on trees and which don't.
I have no idea why someone with a serious allergy would travel without the means to save their lives. That shows a lot more faith in humankind than I think humankind deserves.
Because we had a guest with multiple food allergies but the only one I 'heard' was gluten. I made gluten free peanut butter cookies and was so proud of myself. Until the guest said, 'Gluten makes me feel awful, but peanuts will kill me.' So, yeah, don't trust people to completely hear what they're being told and carry that epi pen.

 

[Generic]

If we get 'nut allergies' I don't make anything with nuts, even peanuts. We get people who say 'tree nut allergy' like I'm supposed to know which nuts grow on trees and which don't.
I have no idea why someone with a serious allergy would travel without the means to save their lives. That shows a lot more faith in humankind than I think humankind deserves.
Because we had a guest with multiple food allergies but the only one I 'heard' was gluten. I made gluten free peanut butter cookies and was so proud of myself. Until the guest said, 'Gluten makes me feel awful, but peanuts will kill me.' So, yeah, don't trust people to completely hear what they're being told and carry that epi pen..

Can you just imagine for the rest of your life having to tell everyone your child died because you were too cheap to carry an epi pen? I know in the US they are $600, but around here it's $60.... but even at that... it's a LIFE.

 

[gillumhouse]

If we get 'nut allergies' I don't make anything with nuts, even peanuts. We get people who say 'tree nut allergy' like I'm supposed to know which nuts grow on trees and which don't.
I have no idea why someone with a serious allergy would travel without the means to save their lives. That shows a lot more faith in humankind than I think humankind deserves.
Because we had a guest with multiple food allergies but the only one I 'heard' was gluten. I made gluten free peanut butter cookies and was so proud of myself. Until the guest said, 'Gluten makes me feel awful, but peanuts will kill me.' So, yeah, don't trust people to completely hear what they're being told and carry that epi pen..

Can you just imagine for the rest of your life having to tell everyone your child died because you were too cheap to carry an epi pen? I know in the US they are $600, but around here it's $60.... but even at that... it's a LIFE.
.

TOTALLY agree

 

[GoodScout]

Our stock question during registering and at check-in is "are there any food allergies or preferences we should know about?" You'd think this covers everything from "if I eat strawberries I'll die" to "I really don't like waffles," but even after asking this twice, we still get guests with surprise issues as we serve them their breakfast.

 

[gillumhouse]

Our stock question during registering and at check-in is "are there any food allergies or preferences we should know about?" You'd think this covers everything from "if I eat strawberries I'll die" to "I really don't like waffles," but even after asking this twice, we still get guests with surprise issues as we serve them their breakfast..

Dietary restrictions or requirements? Guest: None
Next morning pumpkin-choc chip muffins, homemade bread pudding and she is not eating anything. Is there something wrong with breakfast? I cannot have cinnamon.
Now would you not think perhaps a breakfast MIGHT contain cinnamon? I scrambled acouple eggs,

 

[Morticia]

Our stock question during registering and at check-in is "are there any food allergies or preferences we should know about?" You'd think this covers everything from "if I eat strawberries I'll die" to "I really don't like waffles," but even after asking this twice, we still get guests with surprise issues as we serve them their breakfast..

Just had one today - no eggs - completely forgot mention that little detail.

 

[Generic]

Our stock question during registering and at check-in is "are there any food allergies or preferences we should know about?" You'd think this covers everything from "if I eat strawberries I'll die" to "I really don't like waffles," but even after asking this twice, we still get guests with surprise issues as we serve them their breakfast..

Just had one today - no eggs - completely forgot mention that little detail.
.

I caved a bit to my low carb... I saw crap on sale and bought it.... I hope they eat it all... I wouldn't normally feed this to humans. I think it was like U$2 a pound. I don't even want to know what parts it's made with...

 

[Arks]

Our stock question during registering and at check-in is "are there any food allergies or preferences we should know about?" You'd think this covers everything from "if I eat strawberries I'll die" to "I really don't like waffles," but even after asking this twice, we still get guests with surprise issues as we serve them their breakfast..

Just had one today - no eggs - completely forgot mention that little detail.
.

I caved a bit to my low carb... I saw crap on sale and bought it.... I hope they eat it all... I wouldn't normally feed this to humans. I think it was like U$2 a pound. I don't even want to know what parts it's made with...
.

I don't even want to know what parts it's made with...

Food beyond compare. Food beyond belief
Mix it in a mincer and pretend it's beef
Kidney of a horse, liver of a cat
Filling up the sausages with this and that...

 

[user 26]

My four year old granddaughter is allergic to peanuts, tree nuts, coconut, sesame seeds and birch pollen. She is also hypersensitive to large amounts of food coloring ... like dark red or blue frosting on kids' birthday cupcakes. I have to read labels on everything because even the 'made in a factory that also processes peanuts...' is a problem. I guess enough of that adds up and causes a reaction. Instead of her getting better as she gets older, it's gotten worse. It matters if something is cooked in peanut oil or coconut oil or any oil 'processed' in the same place. If this is on the label ... partially hydrogenated vegetable oil (likely coconut, soybean and/or cottonseed) she can't have it. Sometimes there's an issue we can't figure out.
Luckily, she loves fruits and vegetables and understands 'that's just how it is' ... The less processed food the better. We don't make a big deal out of it but I just can't imagine forgetting to mention the allergies. When I'm with her, I have to carry benadryl for small reactions and the epi pen. Honestly, that scares me. I hope I never have to use it!
I guess my whole point is, if you're genuinely allergic to something ... why would you not say so? Or have you just decided on your own that you have an allergy? I have heard of a cinnamon allergy but am surprised the guest wouldn't tell you. I guess they weren't expecting anything 'fancy'. That's a shame because I bet what you made was tasty.
People who don't tell you about their allergies until after you've made them breakfast will just have to make do with what you can provide for them. Served with kindness, of course.

 

[gillumhouse]

My four year old granddaughter is allergic to peanuts, tree nuts, coconut, sesame seeds and birch pollen. She is also hypersensitive to large amounts of food coloring ... like dark red or blue frosting on kids' birthday cupcakes. I have to read labels on everything because even the 'made in a factory that also processes peanuts...' is a problem. I guess enough of that adds up and causes a reaction. Instead of her getting better as she gets older, it's gotten worse. It matters if something is cooked in peanut oil or coconut oil or any oil 'processed' in the same place. If this is on the label ... partially hydrogenated vegetable oil (likely coconut, soybean and/or cottonseed) she can't have it. Sometimes there's an issue we can't figure out.
Luckily, she loves fruits and vegetables and understands 'that's just how it is' ... The less processed food the better. We don't make a big deal out of it but I just can't imagine forgetting to mention the allergies. When I'm with her, I have to carry benadryl for small reactions and the epi pen. Honestly, that scares me. I hope I never have to use it!
I guess my whole point is, if you're genuinely allergic to something ... why would you not say so? Or have you just decided on your own that you have an allergy? I have heard of a cinnamon allergy but am surprised the guest wouldn't tell you. I guess they weren't expecting anything 'fancy'. That's a shame because I bet what you made was tasty.
People who don't tell you about their allergies until after you've made them breakfast will just have to make do with what you can provide for them. Served with kindness, of course..

That is exactly why I ask. I do not want to have a trip to the ER (or worse) on my watch. It is also why I try to make everything "from scratch" so I KNOW what is in it. That is one of the things we need to hammer home - to travelers and innkeepers. I understand the frustration with the pages and pages of "we do not eat", but what makes me THE place to stay is the fact I will try to do all I can to give my guests food they can eat. That is why they should go to a B & B and not a hotel - we will try.
I know it is harder when you have a lot of rooms and a lot more peole. I have seen a lot of posts on other forums about "they should just stay home" - I feel that way about the people who ask if I am near a factory or does my neighbor (and me) fertilize the grass with chemicals. I cannot control the atmosphere, I can control (up to a point) the cleaning products and the food. And I will as much as possible.

 

[user 26]

Oh, Gillum, you remind me of the woman with severe 'environmental' allergies or sensitivities. She left a beautfiul new zen spa place she had paid to stay at for two weeks because the carpet was too new and gave off a chemical smell. I do understand about new carpet but did not think she would be happy with me. She was sensitive to damp and mold and came to stay in the old shanty on the harbor. Left immediately and ended up sleeping on the porch of the little hotel across the road. They had mold under the porch from flooding so she was miserable out there as well Was outside yelling at 11pm at two men who were smoking cigars out on the dock ... one of the few places in the harbor where they were allowed to smoke. I and the hotel owner told her, no, we could not prevent them smoking out there. Across the road, behind the general store, and on the dock ... no.
All I could think was she should invest in a little camper where she could control the materials and the air inside and at least drive around to new places.

 

[gillumhouse]

Oh, Gillum, you remind me of the woman with severe 'environmental' allergies or sensitivities. She left a beautfiul new zen spa place she had paid to stay at for two weeks because the carpet was too new and gave off a chemical smell. I do understand about new carpet but did not think she would be happy with me. She was sensitive to damp and mold and came to stay in the old shanty on the harbor. Left immediately and ended up sleeping on the porch of the little hotel across the road. They had mold under the porch from flooding so she was miserable out there as well Was outside yelling at 11pm at two men who were smoking cigars out on the dock ... one of the few places in the harbor where they were allowed to smoke. I and the hotel owner told her, no, we could not prevent them smoking out there. Across the road, behind the general store, and on the dock ... no.
All I could think was she should invest in a little camper where she could control the materials and the air inside and at least drive around to new places..

I had one of those that booked. Paid. never came even though she was calling almost every day to say - "I will come tomorrow". NEVER came,but paid. She wascoming because neighbor sprayed grass. SHE taught me the is the address the same as the billing address (zip code). Her credit card bill went to her business not to her home and the charge kept being rejected until we figured that out.

 

[Tom]

I've learned to accommodate most diet issues, but some are really undefined. If someone says they are diabetic, I explain that I can tell them exactly what is in the food I serve, but I rely on them to choose according to their own needs -- I can't make "diabetic food". I appreciate allergies, but have a sign (health department suggested it) that says our kitchen uses shellfish, gluten, soy, etc. etc. I say that I do all GF home baked, but I can't segregate the kitchen so if you are hyper allergic, bring your EpiPen to breakfast. My guess is that hyper allergic people would not go to a B&B or a restaurant as there is too much uncertainty.