Nutritious, delicious, intolerance-friendly recipes and advice
finding the diet that is RIGHT FOR YOU is the key to managing food intolerance
I’d be surprised if you said yes! There aren’t many people who do. Some say chemical sensitivity is the only type of food intolerance, others say it’s all about IgG. When in truth, both exist and are very real for the people suffering from them. The key to the riddle is knowing how to test for each type.
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So, to recap, an elimination diet is designed to help you discover food intolerances in a systematic and structured way. It allows you to determine exactly what foods are a problem, how much of that food triggers a reaction and what reactions occur. You can test gluten, wheat, dairy, soy, eggs, salicylates, amines or glutamates – basically whatever you like. It’s deliciously simple, but not all that easy, because it means being on a strict diet. The best thing is, once you’ve done it, life becomes a whole lot easier! Suddenly, you’re not guessing anymore. You can avoid the triggers or cut them down, depending what works. You can improve your gut, get healthier and enjoy all the delicious foods that don’t make you sick. Now, if it’s your kids, don’t you think they’d want that too?
Sofia’s elimination diet discovery mission is nearing its end. We’ve discovered soy and gluten (along with cow’s dairy) are the worst triggers of her eczema. Next we tested salicylates and amines, and I was a little surprised with the result….
kiddie fish cakes – simple elimination diet
Happy New Year everyone! Hope you have all had a peaceful break and some wonderful family time. I’ve had a lot more time to play with my kids, and I’ve really enjoyed it. Less time to make up new recipes and write blogs, but that’s ok, it’s a good time of year just to be.
In light of my new, more relaxed attitude, I’ve kind of just winged the food challenges for Sofia, letting natural occurrences (like a sandwich at Grandma’s) become the challenge. Here’s what I’ve discovered.
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delicious warming soup with a dollop of pesto and sheep’s yoghurt
Pumpkin soup is such a hearty, warming dish that’s perfect for cold and rainy winter days. And it is so easy! Just chop up your pumpkin and cover with stock – simmer and it’s ready! Here’s my version with garlic and leek, and homemade chicken stock, ideal for anyone with intolerances (as commercial stocks are really high in food chemicals salicylates, amines and glutamates).
I’ve served it with my coriander pesto, and a dollop of sheep’s yoghurt (but coconut yoghurt would be delicious too). Oh and your bread of choice on the side, of course. I had homemade gluten free slathered in coconut oil (dairy free)! And you can make this all on the same day, you just need a few hours….
Are you or the kids on a limited diet, but want to keep it healthy? Don’t know where to start with substitutions? I’ve been doing this for years, and have the whole range of intolerances in my house… let me help you!
If you can find the time, homemade bread can be so nutritious and delicious
Like most wheat-based breads, gluten-free breads are often full of preservatives (watch out for 280 – 283, as these cause nasty reactions in sensitive kids). The Burgen gluten-free loaves are free from those preservatives, and the bread sticks together nicely for sandwiches (thanks to the sugar, no doubt!). Find that one in Woolies. Check labels and look for wholegrains and seeded varieties for a little more nutrition, like sorghum, buckwheat, brown rice, millet, quinoa. Dovedale is a good natural brand, which makes nice toast (bit dry for sandwiches though). That one is in Coles.
I make my own these days, using a gluten-free bread recipe from The Holistic Ingredient, that’s quick and easy.
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So, everyone loves chocolate, right? If only it loved all of us back! Chocolate, unfortunately, tops my list of common foods that may very well be causing a food intolerance reaction. Read on to hear what else could be doing you more harm than good…
if chocolate is a problem, small quantities may still be ok… or try my delicious carob cake!
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There are a few classic foods that trigger sensitive kids. Maybe you’ve noticed a few? Perhaps it was at a kids’ birthday party, when your child went bananas after eating the blue birthday cake? Ran around screaming like a banshee, wouldn’t come home when it was time, then had a melt-down in the car about something trivial and was totally inconsolable? If that sounds familiar, read on, because artificial colours and flavours aren’t the only enemy here. If your kids react to these, they will most likely react to naturally occurring food chemicals too.
Choose fruit wisely for food-sensitive kids – enjoy pears, just-ripe bananas and red/golden delicious apples
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Have you ever noticed how sugar is blamed for hyperactive behaviour? Well-meaning adults sprout lyrical about how the kids are on a sugar high. Only they’re not! While sugar is certainly not good for you, especially if not eaten in moderation, it is usually not what causes the ‘crazy’ behaviour in some kids. Otherwise, wouldn’t they all behave the same way when they were stuffed full of Christmas treats?
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Irrational behaviour might be a sign of food intolerance
Have you ever wondered why your little person shouts excitedly or uncontrollably, says ‘no’ far too often or has irrational behaviour to every day annoyances? One minute they are your adorable, loving and sweet little guy or girl, right? Then they turn… and you are left wondering what happened! This is how I felt with my beautiful boy, Maksim. He’s spirited, yes, and ‘busy’ (as my mum likes to call it). He’s also sensitive and loving. But if he eats too much of a good thing, like chocolate, he is OUT OF CONTROL!
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