Food allergies and health considerations

During the project period we already implemented our projects examining and experimenting with these principles in different youth exchanges organised among our partnership.

We have catered participants with diabetes, celiac disease, lactose intolerance, egg and nuts and fruit allergies. This gave us an insight of what we have to consider when cooking for a big group, and besides that taking care of those who need special attention.

And here are our conclusions concerning cooking for young people who have health issues concerning their diet:

1. Vegan diet avoiding some ingredients can be valid to almost everyone with special dietary needs. The only type of special need that is not suitable with began diet and it is diabetes. In case of a diabetic participants not only sugarfree products has to be provided, but most probably all types of cereals, fruits and anything containing carbohysrates. Gluten-free and diabetic diet is mostly opposite to each other.

2. Not only the ingredients are to be considered when offering catering for young people with special dietary needs, but also the timing. Again for diabetic people it is important to eat always at the same time. In case if a participant takes medication that can also influence the timing of offering that person food.

3. It is not enough to think that you know that type of special need the participant indicates in his/her application, you have to ask the person him/herselves. They are experts of their needs, ask them directly.

4. It is very useful to have a separate cooking kit for the one with special needs, that can be used for that person, and a speparate container for his/her food. It is also important not to put out their food, because the others will serve themselves from that special food, and the one who needs it will not get it.

5. In recent years, there has been a notable shift in the food industry towards inclusivity, with many food store chains recognizing and addressing the diverse dietary needs of their customers. Whether you're following a specific diet, have food allergies, or adhere to unique eating preferences, several food store chains in Europe are stepping up to the plate with an impressive assortment of suitable options. Please, find a document about this on the sidebar.

Additionally this project gave us the opportunity to consult a dietetitian concerning the dietary needs of those who have some health issues concerning their eating habits. As a short guide, we are trying to help to understand better these needs with the words of a professional.