What Dairy Free milk is best?

Dairy is the first food allergy that I discovered.  So...I have a lot of years of experience with dairy free milk.  And I can tell you over the years I have used different products.  I used to use Soy milk because it had more protein than the other dairy free milks.  I eventually acquired the taste for soy milk.  But if you have a Soy intolerance or allergy like I do, this is not a good option.  

I can also say that it is a personal preference on taste.  I personally Love So Delicious Coconut Milk.  I have discovered that Brand DOES matter when it comes to dairy free milk.  But again let me emphasize it is a matter of personal taste.  Where as I believe So Delicious Coconut Milk is the best, One of my sister's believes that Silk Coconut Milk is the best.  I have yet another sister who thinks that Blue Diamond Almond Milk is the best dairy free milk.  I even have friends who swear by Hemp milk. 

So...My recommendation is keep a journal of the dairy free milks you have tried and which ones you liked and which you did not.  And if you try one and don't like it, don't give up try another brand or another type.  There are So many choices, Soy, Rice, Coconut, Oat, Hemp, Almond, Hazelnut, etc.

Make Extra

One of the best tips that I can give someone who is adjusting to food allergies or sensitivities is whenever possible double or even triple some of your favorite recipes and Keep your freezer stocked with meals that can quickly be used for those days, when you just don't have time to cook.

Here are a few of things I freeze:

• Shepherd's Pie (various varieties)
• Chicken Green Chili
• Turkey Meatloaf and Turkey Burgers
• Soups
• Banana Bread & Pumpkin Bread
• Cooked Chicken or Turkey that can be used in Recipes
• Cream of Mushroom Soup/ Dairy Free
• Spaghetti Sauce

This should just give you some ideas.  The list is endless...   The more you make it convenient and delicious to eat at home, the more you will enjoy it.  The fact is, with food allergies it is easier to eat at home.   I don't want you to think that you cannot eat out.  You can, and I sometimes do...The problem is that you are limited in what you can eat and it is often challenging figuring it all out.  Plus, it is sometimes hard to have everyone around you eating things that you would like to eat, but are not allowed to.  

Keep pantry stocked for quick meal preparation

We all lead busy lives.  Whether we have food allergies or not, eating at home is a lot easier if you keep your house full of staples, so you can quickly throw together a wonderful meal; even when you are tired after a long day.

I try to keep my house stocked with some fresh fruit and vegetables that can be eaten on their own or thrown into a salad.  I find that with just a little fresh fruit, nuts and lettuce of choice.  One can quickly make a boring meal seem gourmet.

Recommended Staples:

• Fruit
• Vegetables Fresh & Frozen
• Rice
• Gluten Free Noodles
• Quinoa
• Potatoes (can be used in many ways)
• Spaghetti and other Allergy friendly Sauces 
• Meat/Fish (buy when it is on sale and store in freezer)
• Nuts
• Peanut Butter
• Jelly
• Gluten Free Flour Blend 
• sugar/honey/maple syrup/Agave
• Gluten Free Crackers
• Rice Cakes
• Gluten Free Soup for when sick
• Spices
• Garlic/Onions

Another tip is to have a list of quick meal & Snack ideas posted in your pantry or on your fridge.

The easier you make it for yourself the more you will enjoy cooking and eating at home.  When you are dealing with food allergies, it is often easier to eat at home.  If you make it easy, it won't feel like drudgery.

Plan Ahead

When you have food Allergies it is often difficult to eat out or to grab a quick bite to eat.  If you plan ahead you can have a variety of things to eat right at home and as a bonus you might even save some money!

• When you cook meals-cook a little extra that can be frozen for another meal.
• Keep your house stocked with foods that you can eat.  
• If you keep food in your pantry for others in the house who do not have allergies.  Label the foods that are allergy free.  Get that sharpie out and mark everything you can eat (GF, DF, CF, SF,PF) whatever your allergies are.    That way at a glance you can find foods to enjoy.
• Make a week's Menu.  I often find that if I have a plan, it is much easier to quickly pull dinner together.  Especially if you are like me and I don't realize I am hungry until my blood sugar has crashed.
• Keep staples on hand...Gluten Free Bread, Dairy Free Milk, etc.

Read Labels Carefully!

As you change your life to accommodate food allergies and intolerance's read labels VERY carefully!

As I am working on this blog, I keep finding hidden sources of Corn.  Is it in everything?  I seem to be able to handle the really small amounts.  or perhaps, I am living in ignorant bliss.   However, knowing I have an intolerance it is possible that even the small amounts are causing damage to my body.  So I am striving for as close to corn free as I can get.  If you have an anaphalactic reaction then you will need to be pristine, and watch for cross contamination.  This goes for all food allergies.

My discovery today is that the soy free earth balance (along with the other) has corn in it.  Extremely frustrating!!!  It appears to be a small amount of the "flavorings" are derived from corn.

The lesson is read labels very closely!

Experiment with Your favorite Recipes

One of the biggest fears that people have is that they won't be able to eat any of their  favorite foods again.  This is a myth. By some simple alterations you can continue to enjoy your favorite recipes.  It may take some trial and error.  But you will find it well worth the effort.

When Cooking Gluten free you can use a gluten free flour blend like the Basic gluten free flour recipe that I use (see recipes).  You can try it in many of your favorite recipes cup for cup and can go back to enjoying many of your favorite foods.  One thing to note is:  If the flour blend you like  doesn't have a binding agent like guar gum or xanthum gum you will need to add that.  That is one of the reasons that I like this particular blend.  It takes the guess work out of it for me.

Money Saving Tips for People with Food Allergies

It is true that it can be a lot more expensive when you start living an allergy free lifestyle.  Here are some tips that can help you save money.

1. Stock up on items when they are on sale.  (I only buy the chocolate chips when they are on sale)
2. Cook as much from scratch as you can.  It is convenient to just use a cake mix, etc... Remember, you are paying for that convenience.  
3. Make your own mixes and keep them in the freezer to use when you are in a hurry.  This will help keep you from paying the premium price for those mixes that usually aren't as good as what you can make yourself.
4. Keep a journal of what brands you like and don't like.  When you are buying the allergy free foods.  Not all brands are created equally.  They all cost about the same.   Some mixes you will love, while others will taste like cardboard.
5. Research in advance what others are saying about products on the market.  If others love it.  Chances are that you will too!

Focus on What you Can Eat!!!

Even with food intolerances and allergies.  There are a lot of foods you can eat.  By focusing on what you can eat, you won't feel SO deprived.

Here is my list:

• Fruits--ALL  
• Vegetables (All but corn and soy)
• Meat
• Seafood
• Rice
• Potatoes (technically a vegetable): mashed potatoes, boiled potatoes, roasted potatoes, french fries, potato chips, baked potato, etc
• All Nuts and Nut Butters
• Dark Chocolate
• Juice 
• Coconut Milk, Rice Milk, Almond Milk, etc
• Dark Chocolate Covered Fruit
• Coconut Ice Cream
• Fruit Spritzers
• Craisins
• Dried Fruit
• Rice Noodles
• Quinoa
• Hummus
• Guacamole
• Beanito's Chips
• Home Made Allergy friendly foods.....Lots of these!  

I make a point to remind myself of some of the junk food I can eat.   That helps me!  Did I mention, that I am a Nacho Addict?  Now I eat pinto chips or potato chips or rice crackers with either guacamole or hummus or salsa.

Figuring out that you have Food Intolerances or Allergies

Hi!
In the past few years, I have become increasingly aware of how food affects your health.  I have determined that I have food intolerances to Wheat, Dairy, Corn, and Soy.  Sounds pretty impossible doesn't it?  It really isn't as bad as it sounds.  But changing the way I eat has transformed my life for the better.

 In January of 2011 I did a food elimination diet.  I had been having numerous health problems and I wanted to see what role, food was playing in it.  I already knew I had a lactose intolerance.  Well...I was surprised and upset to find, that not only was I intolerant to all dairy; but corn, wheat and soy as well.

For several years I have had a constant stomach ache,  I would wake up with a "food hangover."  Since I have changed the way I eat; my daily stomach aches are gone.  For pretty much my whole life, I have needed a mid day nap.  By simply avoiding foods that I am sensitive to, I have more energy and I do not need a nap anymore!  My depression is also improved by changing the way I eat.  In addition,  I have more bizarre health issues--numb and tingly feet which also seem significantly better by avoiding the foods that are problematic for me.  And the bonus, I lost 15 pounds--trust me, my calorie count was not low enough to warrant this weight loss.   So...Yes, for me...It is completely and totally worth it to make these changes!

 I would encourage everyone to do an elimination diet and see what foods are problematic.  You might be one of the lucky few, where food is not an issue at this time.  Or....You might be able to improve the quality of your life and your health.  These food allergies and sensitivities affect everyone differently.  But anyone suffering from food intolerances or allergies will feel much better if they change the way they eat.

It will affect everyone differently.  For me, I went from hardly being able to walk from the pain:  To being a Professional Dog Walker.