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About Us
How and Why?
Quite simply, Special Diets Directory is a passion that has somehow evolved from catering for various special and restricted diets! I'm wheat intolerant and my two children (one being a vegetarian) have a kidney condition (Cystinuria) demanding a low salt and restricted protein diet. A lactose intolerent mother, coeliac friends and childrens’ friends with various food allergies/intolerances add to the special diets experience... I have always tried my best to buy organic and additive/preservative free food too just to keep things interesting!.
Despite increased awareness, adapting to and living a special diet can still be challenging. 
The hassle of cooking & entertaining. The angst of social eating -(you know the score -picking at the ‘safe’ bits & being drawn into annoying and embarrassing justifications, cheating to avoid offence). The worry about what your children are eating (whether on special diets or not) when you aren’t with them. The wicked, short lived joy of cheating! The 'fall out'! These are all par for the 'University of Special Diets course...
The hassle of cooking & entertaining. The angst of social eating -(you know the score -picking at the ‘safe’ bits & being drawn into annoying and embarrassing justifications, cheating to avoid offence). The worry about what your children are eating (whether on special diets or not) when you aren’t with them. The wicked, short lived joy of cheating! The 'fall out'! These are all par for the 'University of Special Diets course...Few people make a hobby of the weekly food shop, but I remember the sinking feeling heading out on each ‘expedition’ with strongest eyewear at the ready to peer at the labels! Despite the demand, the choice of food for special diets available in the shops was and still is 'very limited' - to be PC!
Only a few places did and do stock a few 'safe' foods and then only due to that small & wonderful group of visionaries; the dedicated commercial producers who had faith enough to jump into the unknown long before 'special diets' became 'news'. (We thank them for persevering BTW - they have been a lifeline!)
So, I decided to explore the local West Country farmers markets -the vibrant atmospheres, stunning colours and the mouth watering smells! . It was all so lovely I was sure that there couldn't possibly be anything suitable for our cocktail of special diets. - Happily, I was so wrong!
As I nosed around a bit more I found that ithis was not just a West Country thing - small producers are 'Doing It' for the Special Diets cause all over the place!
People, not machines. prepare many of these foods. Culinary artisans, happy to put their imagination & skills into creating recipes for all sorts of special diets, medical conditions, and dietary restrictions. And the great thing is they are designed to bring the Oooh & Mmm to all food not just special diets! What is better than everyone really enjoying the same meal together without worry.
The BIG problem has always been the debilitating transport and advertising costs making it nigh on impossible to get these wonderful foods known outside of their patch.
We decided it was time to get them 'Out There'! and so Special Diets Directory was born!
There really is a feast of food suppliers waiting to surprise and save us from cheating on our special diets, be they elimination, detection, medical, coeliac, dairy free, diabetic, contolled salt, low carb, weight loss etc etc.. Let's celebrate, browse, discover and support them. Then as this site grows, so more will magically appear!
This is your site, your place to find what you want, meet people,. learn, contribute and join in as you like. You are sure to have opinions, wish lists. suggestions, comments, ideas and gripes of your own - so please let us have them. We all need to pull together on this to make change happen...!
I really hope that being part of Special Diets Directory (we find SpecialDD is easier on the tongue!) will add a new dimension to your eating and lifestyle. We look forward to getting to know you!
Warm wishes
Annie
Only a few places did and do stock a few 'safe' foods and then only due to that small & wonderful group of visionaries; the dedicated commercial producers who had faith enough to jump into the unknown long before 'special diets' became 'news'. (We thank them for persevering BTW - they have been a lifeline!)
So, I decided to explore the local West Country farmers markets -the vibrant atmospheres, stunning colours and the mouth watering smells! . It was all so lovely I was sure that there couldn't possibly be anything suitable for our cocktail of special diets. - Happily, I was so wrong!
I spent time talking to Devon and Cornwall based producers and realised that they were really up for adapting their produce and recipes to a whole range of special diets – another beauty of hand/home production! This may be the West Country but throw away your misconceptions, these guys are cute and ahead of their time and know that 'special diets' and 'free from foods' = a niche and exploding market. A win/win situation!
As I nosed around a bit more I found that ithis was not just a West Country thing - small producers are 'Doing It' for the Special Diets cause all over the place!
People, not machines. prepare many of these foods. Culinary artisans, happy to put their imagination & skills into creating recipes for all sorts of special diets, medical conditions, and dietary restrictions. And the great thing is they are designed to bring the Oooh & Mmm to all food not just special diets! What is better than everyone really enjoying the same meal together without worry.
The BIG problem has always been the debilitating transport and advertising costs making it nigh on impossible to get these wonderful foods known outside of their patch.
We decided it was time to get them 'Out There'! and so Special Diets Directory was born!
There really is a feast of food suppliers waiting to surprise and save us from cheating on our special diets, be they elimination, detection, medical, coeliac, dairy free, diabetic, contolled salt, low carb, weight loss etc etc.. Let's celebrate, browse, discover and support them. Then as this site grows, so more will magically appear!This is your site, your place to find what you want, meet people,. learn, contribute and join in as you like. You are sure to have opinions, wish lists. suggestions, comments, ideas and gripes of your own - so please let us have them. We all need to pull together on this to make change happen...!
I really hope that being part of Special Diets Directory (we find SpecialDD is easier on the tongue!) will add a new dimension to your eating and lifestyle. We look forward to getting to know you!
Warm wishes
Annie
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