Meet Sage Scott
Hi, I’m Sage, a Midwestern mom, world traveler, lifelong foodie, and outdoor lover who never imagined that a single tick bite could flip her world upside down.
In March 2021, after several months of gastrointestinal issues that felt like the creature from Aliens was trying to claw its way out of my belly, I was diagnosed with alpha-gal syndrome (AGS). If you’re reading this, you probably already know that it’s a tick-borne allergy to mammalian meat and byproducts.
But what does that mean in real life? It means you can no longer eat beef, pork, lamb, or any other mammalian meat. And unfortunately, that includes way more than just food. Some alpha gals also have to part ways with dairy products, Jell-O, jelly beans, and marshmallows.
Alpha-gal doesn’t just impact what’s on your plate. It changes everything, from the clothes you wear to the lotion you put on your skin and even the meds you take when you’re sick. That’s a lot to figure out, especially when most doctors just tell you to avoid red meat and send you on your way.
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I’m Not the Only One
I consider myself lucky that it only took a few months to connect the dots. For many people, it takes years (and a lot of pain and frustration) before they get answers.
Before my own diagnosis, my middle daughter started breaking out in full-body rashes during her senior year of high school. Although she wasn’t formally diagnosed with alpha-gal syndrome, doctors told us that she had suddenly developed a beef allergy and a dairy sensitivity. Both had to go, so we cleared our fridge and pantry.
A few years later, my oldest daughter started dealing with similar symptoms. She was living in Washington state, where alpha-gal is even less understood than it is here in the Midwest. Her doctor told her to avoid red meat, but she fell for one of the food industry’s best marketing campaigns and believed that pork — “the other white meat” — was safe. It wasn’t. Her symptoms got worse, and to this day, she has the most severe AGS sensitivity in our family.
Running on Empty
After my diagnosis, I stuck to a super-safe meal routine:
- Breakfast was either eggs and toast or oatmeal with fruit and a sprinkle of nuts
- Lunch was a smoothie made with almond milk
- Dinner was a big green salad
Healthy, right? I thought so, too. But it turns out that each egg only has 6g of protein, almond milk has essentially none, and my salad should have included a chicken breast or a piece of fish.
Within a few months, my hair was falling out in handfuls. I’d get winded walking up a flight of stairs, and I needed a nap to get through my day. It was terrifying, and I had no idea what was going on.
My doctor ran some bloodwork and was shocked. She said I had the lowest protein levels she’d seen in twenty years of practicing medicine. With her help, I went all in on getting 120g of alpha-gal-friendly protein a day — and it worked. My energy came back. My hair stayed put. And these days, I still focus on hitting 100g–120g of protein daily. (And, yes, that can be as hard as it sounds.)
Feeling Overwhelmed?
Overwhelmed! It’s the word I hear most from newly diagnosed alpha gals. My goal is to help you feel more informed, more empowered, and way less alone as you adjust to your new normal with alpha-gal syndrome.
The Hardest Thing About AGS …
… is having to figure it all out for yourself.
One day, after a particularly frustrating food reaction, my best friend (who also has alpha-gal) looked at me and said, “The worst thing about this allergy is that you have to figure it all out on your own.”
She was right. And that’s why I created Sage Alpha Gal.
This site is my way of sharing the lessons I’ve learned (mostly the hard way) so you don’t have to. Whether you’re newly diagnosed or deep into this alpha-gal adventure, I hope what you find here helps you feel more informed, more empowered, and way less alone.
Thriving with Alpha-Gal Syndrome
Alpha-gal syndrome is life changing, but it doesn’t have to be life limiting.
I’m not going to lie. It takes a lot of time and energy to cook most of your meals from scratch (although there are some surprising benefits that come with it). It’s a pain to scrutinize every ingredient label. It’s exhausting to navigate a menu at a restaurant or to participate in a food-forward celebration. And it’s really frustrating — so frustrating — to know more about this condition than your physician.
But you do NOT have to give up your favorite meals, your outdoor adventures, or the joy of living well. Here at Sage Alpha Gal, you’ll find:
- Real-life advice for navigating this often misdiagnosed and frequently misunderstood food allergy from someone who’s living with it.
- Tick bite prevention tips, because avoiding additional tick bites is one of the most important things you can do when you’re living with alpha-gal syndrome.
- Alpha-gal friendly recipes that are easy to make and so delicious your family won’t even miss the mammalian ingredients.
- Products I use and trust, from pantry staples to personal care
I’m not a doctor or a dietitian, but you don’t need a fancy degree to share your lived experience. I’m just a fellow alpha gal learning to navigate this condition — and helping others do the same.
If a tick bite can turn your life upside down, a little support from someone who gets it can help turn it right-side up again.
Like Michael J. Fox said, “The people living with the condition are the experts.” And with the CDC reporting that healthcare providers nationwide have limited AGS knowledge, his words are especially true for our community.
Welcome to Sage Alpha Gal!
I’m really glad you’re here.