Jenna Gestetner suffers from Mast Cell Activation Syndrome and can only eat five foods, plus olive oil, lime and glucose supplements.
In 2021, the North American Jenna Gestetner was diagnosed with a rare immune condition known as mast cell activation syndrome, or Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) in English. Gestetner has allergic reactions to several foods, including severe cramping, bloating and nausea.
The disease meant that the 20-year-old could only eat five foods: turkey, sea bream, cucumber, green beans and courgette. Furthermore, you can add olive oil, lime and glucose supplements to your food.
Mast cells play a key role in the immune system responsible for releasing the mediators that cause allergy symptoms.
“With MCAS, mast cells release mediators in response to things that are normally harmless. It is rare, but more common than people think”, underlined Gestetner, quoted by The Sun US.
“However, it affects people differently and therefore the treatment is extremely different for everyone. My limited diet it’s the result of years of tracking my symptoms and figuring out what makes me feel better,” he added.
For the young woman, shopping at the supermarket is an experience of mixed feelings. If on the one hand she is frustrated by not being able to find new things to try, on the other hand, need only three minutes to do the shopping.
Her medical condition also means the American cannot eat at a restaurant.
“Food is a social thing, that’s why I often feel excluded when I can’t eat with my friends, but I’ve found my own ways to be included, whether it’s bringing my own food or eating before going out,” she explained.
Jenna Gestetner’s long-term goal is to get her mast cells stabilized enough with medication so that she can expand her diet.
The young woman shares her lifestyle on social media, where she has more than 17,000 followers on TikTok.
ZAP // 
