After that I decided not to judge anyone who chooses a seriously restricted diet, even if they've never actually gotten diagnosed, because they may have learned from bitter experience that trying new things means misery.

I want to thank you for *getting it* re: your friend's food intolerance. I have an intolerance to an extreme number of foods. I used to eat them anyway, not making the connection that I wouldn't experience extreme gastrointestinal reactions if I simply STOPPED eating those foods. (I know that sounds like a duh statement but I don't know, I thought it was something I had to live with.)

Now, I've cut almost everything out, which really sucks for me because I was a "picky" eater to begin with but if I don't want to be sick for hours or days, it's what I must do. My friends know my "deal" but when dating, this becomes very stressful but it's pretty difficult to avoid the going-out-to-eat thing.

Anyway, it was just nice reading someone who is understanding of this situation.