Main points
- Many everyday products contain hidden meat ingredients – so reading labels is essential
- Social dining can be navigated with good prep and communication
- Delicious food alternatives can help make transitioning an enjoyable experience
- Preventing further tick bites is crucial to avoid worsening reactions
- Self-care and a supportive community can make life with AGS much easier
Discovering you have Alpha-Gal Syndrome (AGS) can be a life-altering experience, especially in Australia where meat-based diets are the norm. From rethinking grocery lists to navigating social events, living with a tick-related meat allergy requires adjustments. However, with an empowered mindset and practical strategies, you can continue leading a healthy, fulfilling lifestyle.
How to Navigate Social Events and Dining Out
Attending social gatherings or dining out can be tricky with Alpha-Gal Syndrome, but with a little confidence, you can still enjoy meals with friends and family following these smart strategies:
- Call Ahead: Contact restaurants beforehand to discuss your dietary needs and ensure they offer safe options
- Ask About Hidden Ingredients: Meat-based stocks, gelatine, and some sauces contain alpha-gal, so inquire about preparation methods
- Bring Your Own Dish: If attending a barbecue or potluck, prepare a safe dish to share
- Educate Friends and Family: Help your loved ones understand your allergy so they can support you [Tip: share our post on how to support a friend living with AGS – you can find it here]
- Carry an Allergy Card: A printed card explaining your condition can help staff and chefs take your needs seriously
With some good preparation, you can safely enjoy meals out, minus the stress!
Navigating Meat and Meat-Containing Products
Adapting to an AGS meat-free lifestyle goes beyond avoiding steak and burgers. Many everyday food and medical products contain hidden mammalian-derived ingredients. So, it’s important to know your ingredients and communicate with your doctor, pharmacist and dentist. Remember that product manufacturers can change ingredients without notice, so become a label-reading pro and check the ingredients every time.
Common Meat-Containing Ingredients to Avoid:
- Gelatine (found in marshmallows, lollies, toothpaste, numbing gels)
- Stock & Broth (used in soups, sauces, and gravies)
- Lard, Tallow & Suet (used in pastries and processed foods)
- Glycerine & Stearic Acid (can be found in chewing gum, supplements, and cosmetics)
- Certain Dairy Products (some cheeses and creams contain rennet)
- Linoleic & Myristic Acid, Lecithin & Pepsin
- Animal-Derived Fats, Magnesium Stearate, Lanolin & Glycerine (found in prescription & over-the-counter pharmaceuticals)
- Porcine & Bovine (found in vitamin supplements like B2, D2 & D3)
- Some vaccines
- Some snake antivenoms
- Sutures for stitches
Empower yourself by knowing ingredients and communicating with your healthcare providers. Focus on whole, plant-based foods and mammalian meat-free alternatives to achieve a balanced, nutritious lifestyle.
Essential Products and Substitutes for a Mammalian Meat-Free Lifestyle
Embracing an AGS meat-free life means finding satisfying alternatives that safely deliver great function, nutrition and taste. Here are some must-have substitutes for all aspects of life – from baking, to medicine, to your bedtime routine.
Versatile Protein Alternatives:
- Poultry: Chicken, turkey, duck, goose
- Fish & Seafood: Tuna, wild salmon, wild trout, shellfish
- Legumes & Beans: Lentils, chickpeas, black beans
- Tofu & Tempeh: Versatile meat substitutes
- Mushrooms & Jackfruit: Meat-like texture and umami flavour for burgers or tacos
- Quinoa & Nuts: Nutritious sources of plant-based protein
- Plant-based vegan meat products: Try some – you’ll be surprised!
Meat-Free Dairy & Gelatine Alternatives:
- Plant-Based Milks and yoghurt: Almond, soy, oat, and coconut
- Vegan Gelatine Alternatives: Agar-agar and pectin for baking and desserts
- Dairy-Free Vegan Cheeses: Cashew-based and soy-based cheese
That Extra Punch of Flavour:
- Nutritional Yeast: Adds a satisfying cheese flavour to dishes
- Coconut Aminos: Alternative to Soy and Worcestershire sauce
- Vegetable Broths: A great swap for meat-based stocks
Beauty, Healthcare and Dental:
- Vegan Toothpaste: A gelatine-free alternative to regular toothpaste
- Silk & beeswax floss: A great swap for regular dental floss
- Vegan Pharmaceuticals: Always enquire whether medications contain animal-derived ingredients
- Sutures/Stitches: Silk or Poly Glycolic Acid (PGA) sutures/stitches are a safe alternative
- Surgeries: Speak with your doctors regarding animal-derived medical products used in surgeries – for example: implant procedures
- Vegan Cosmetics: An easy swap as vegan cosmetics are readily available
- Vegan Intimacy Products: such as lubricants and pre-lubricated condoms
With a can-do mindset, you can use AGS as an opportunity to explore new foods, new products, make healthier choices, and lead an enriching lifestyle.
Living Tick-Free: Adjustments to Minimise Repeated Tick Bites
Since AGS is caused by reaction to tick bites, reducing your exposure to ticks is key to preventing further reactions. Learn useful strategies on how to protect yourself here. Make some simple lifestyle changes to minimise the chance of further tick bites and keep your good health in check.
Be Kind to Yourself and Uphold Your Needs
Adjusting to Alpha-Gal Syndrome can be overwhelming, but self-care and self-advocacy are vital for maintaining a positive outlook, and enjoying your every day.
- Acknowledge Your Journey: It’s okay to feel frustrated, but remind yourself that you are taking charge of your health
- Find Your Community: Online support groups and local allergy organisations can offer invaluable advice and understanding
- Communicate Your Needs: It’s okay to say no to foods that aren’t safe for you
- Celebrate New Food Discoveries: Trying new ingredients and new meals is an exciting adventure!
- Be Prepared, Not Paranoid: With the right precautions, you can live a full and active life with minimal worrying
Living with AGS doesn’t mean missing out—it means approaching life with a new perspective and embracing positive and personalised change.
FAQs
Q1: Can I ever eat red meat again?
Some people’s sensitivity lessens over time, but many need to permanently avoid mammalian meat and derived products to prevent reactions.
Q2: Can dairy products trigger Alpha-Gal Syndrome?
Yes, some dairy products (like high-fat creams and cheeses) contain alpha-gal and may trigger reactions in some individuals.
Q3: Are chicken and fish safe to eat?
Yes, poultry and seafood generally do not contain alpha-gal and are safe alternatives. Exercise caution as some sources suggest that farmed poultry and seafood may contain traces of Alpha-Gal resulting from animal feed.
Q4: Can I still travel with Alpha-Gal Syndrome?
Absolutely! Just plan ahead, research local food options, and carry safe snacks to ensure you have suitable meals available. Carry an allergy card in the local language of your travel destinations.
Q5: What should I do if I get bitten by another tick?
Remove the tick properly, monitor for symptoms, and consult your doctor. Seek immediate medical attention if you have signs of severe allergic reaction.
Take Home
Living with AGS may come with its challenges, but with the right approach, it can also be an opportunity to explore new foods, and master healthier choices. By staying informed, prepared, and positive, you can enjoy every moment with confidence!
Read about Alpha-Gal Syndrome in more detail here
If you have a question or if you’d like to share your experience, leave a comment below!
