Well, almost everything.
Caroline Cray, a woman from Boston has gained attention for her extremely limited diet due to a rare condition called Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS). Based on the reports, Caroline can only safely consume two foods (oatmeal and hypoallergenic baby formula) because her immune system reacts severely to almost everything else. Her condition causes her mast cells to overreact, releasing chemicals that trigger allergic responses, including anaphylaxis, to a wide range of foods and even environmental factors.
Her journey started with allergies as a young child, but things escalated dramatically in 2017 when she had a severe reaction to an ice cream sandwich during her first week of college. After months of tests and recurring reactions, she was diagnosed with MCAS in 2018. By spring 2019, her diet had narrowed to just oatmeal and baby formula after a hospitalization revealed these were the only things she could tolerate. She mixes the formula into her oats to meet her nutritional needs (three cups for breakfast, two for lunch, and three for dinner) since the formula provides essential proteins, fats, carbs, and vitamins that oatmeal alone can’t supply.
Caroline’s case is extreme even among MCAS patients, as the condition varies widely in severity. While MCAS is considered rare, its true prevalence might be underreported due to diagnostic challenges. For her, everyday triggers like fish, nuts, sesame, mustard and even the act of digesting food can be dangerous. Despite this, she adapts by bringing her own food to social events and maintains a positive outlook, working with specialists to slowly reintroduce foods like broccoli or boiled chicken.
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