Hello, I'm Kezia!

It took me a long time to figure out how to eat without getting sick. 

If I could go back and sit my younger self down, I’d give her a snack and a massive info dump – the kind that might’ve saved her years of confusion, discomfort, and accidentally eating things that made her want to curl into a ball.

When I was just a toddler, we found out I had anaphylaxis to peanuts (terrifying at times), and an egg allergy too (which eventually chilled out – unless we’re talking about duck eggs, I still react to those!). But even with those out of the picture, I was still constantly itchy, rashy, bloated, tired, and uncomfortable. Eczema, mystery welts, stomach issues – I was so used to living this way that it all just seemed normal. I didn’t know it wasn’t supposed to be.

In my twenties, after a period of being particularly unwell I started taking my health more seriously, and slowly but surely, the pieces of the puzzle began coming together one by one and making a little more sense. I was diagnosed with POTS and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, and it became obvious that food wasn’t just annoying — it could make or break how functional I was on any given day. (The cardiologist that diagnosed my POTS also floated MCAS, since they are often diagnosed together, but I wasn’t in the mood to collect more acronyms without clear evidence.)

I always had igE environmental allergies from my youth (pollen and grasses, molds, dustmites and animal dander) that I didn’t take so seriously either, but of course, by ignoring that, I was ignoring factors like how pollen could interact with foods – causing Oral Allergy Syndrome that explained certain itchy mouth reactions. 

In time I also noticed a pattern with my dyschydrotic eczema which would pop up from time to time, seemingly at random; and after reading up about that type of eczema, I came to realise it wasn’t random at all – rather dietary nickel was the cause. I read up about Systemic Nickel Allergy Syndrome and it made so much sense (my mum has such a severe nickel allergy, she can’t wear most jewellery and reacts even gold if it’s less than 24 carats!). Consistantly I found that about 24 hours after eating canned pinapple, or lots of dark chocolate (both very high in dietary nickel), that eczema would appear again without fail.

These little things made me realise that talking with family about their health could help me too, as a way to hone in on possible issues. I carefully ran my own elimination experiments cutting out gluten, dairy, fructose, and FODMAPs. It was not the easiest of times. Over the years, I managed to reintroduce some things – gluten and a few FODMAPs came back – but dairy never did. I still can’t handle even a drop without regretting it.

Then came the possible latex-fruit thing. I mentioned it to my doctor. 
Me: “Hey… are bananas supposed to make your mouth tingle? What about avocado? Raw potato??”
Doctor: “Well… then don’t eat them.”
Me: “Cool. Thanks. Super helpful.”

More recently, an osteopenia diagnosis made me realise just how detrimental my stomach issues had been to my overall health. My low vitamin D and calcium levels were no longer just numbers on a blood test. (Iron too – my body’s favourite mineral to ignore.) After catching a never-ending virus and dragging myself through months of barely being able to stand up to wash the dishes, I finally sat down with a proper supplement and nutrition based plan and made it my mission to eat in a way that actually worked with my body. Not just making food that was yummy and I could eat, but food that would be nutritious too, and help me moving forward, both physically and mentally.

And surprise: since then, I have started to get my energy back. Like, for real.

It took years to get to this place, and it’s not perfect, but I still wish I could go back and save myself years of troubles.

The whole time I felt so dismissed by doctors, gaslit by the idea that “it’s all in your head,” and often left to figure things out on my own. Eating out became this weird gamble every time that caused me no end of anxiety. I clung to research papers, online forums, niche support groups, and unexpected blogs that seemed to know exactly what I meant. The more I learned, the more I saw other people stuck in the same place I’d been – confused, hungry, scared to eat, being told the wrong things or cutting out half their diet just to feel safe – even when sometimes it was completely unneccessary, and their nutrition was suffering for it.

I wanted to help – but shouting advice into the comment section of the internet only goes so far.

That’s why I started The Rogue Cookie – to be the kind of resource I wish I’d found sooner. A place where people like us – with uncooperative bodies, sensitive systems, and more food labels to check than fingers to count on – can feel less alone. A space that’s honest, a bit irreverent, full of real-life tips and stories, but 100% built with care by someone who gets it.

So if you’re navigating allergies, sensitivities, chronic illness, or just trying to eat without a mystery rash showing up – hi. I see you. You’re not crazy, you’re not overreacting, and you’re definitely not alone