“Can’t Believe Its Allergy Free!” is the result of years of research and experimentation to create tasty, healthy, allergy free food, in which every single recipe excludes at least seven of the eight known allergenic foods The day my little grandson said to me that he could never have a birthday party (no cake, no pizzas, no party) I vowed to produce all of that and much more for him. I soon realized that there are many others similarly afflicted. With over 12 million allergy diagnosed people in the US alone, my blog fulfils a crucial need..
My aim is to offer solutions to the busy mom/caregiver of the child with multiple food allergies. The many gluten free cookbooks in the market exclude only gluten, and most allergy related recipes exclude no more than two to three allergenic foods at a time. All my recipes are exclusive of wheat and gluten, soy, eggs, fish and shellfish, peanuts, tree nuts, and in most cases, dairy. Wherever I have used dairy, I suggest alternatives. The focus is on what children can eat, and on ways of providing variety, nutrition and taste, within limited parameters.
I also use easy to find, safe, hypoallergenic ingredients, and stay away from all controversial foods such as chickpeas, spelt, mushrooms, corn, as well as sesame, which has recently been added to the list of allergenic foods by the Ministry of Health, Govt. of Canada.
I have spent years researching food and allergy facts, in order to provide nutritional balance despite food restrictions. I have compiled invaluable data from the works of eminent nutritionists and doctors, and from publications and websites of established organizations as it is absolutely necessary to arm yourself with allergy information in order to deal with it. It is useful to know, for example, that certain fruits can cause allergy like reactions because they contain histamines, while certain vegetables may contain significant levels of MSG and are best eaten cooked, not raw. It helps to know that a serving of baked spinach and cheese makes more nutritional sense than a bowlful of raw spinach leaves with crumbled cheese. It is essential to know what food labels are all about—what for instance, is carrageenan, maltodextrin, or locust bean gum? How many moms actually have the time to find out, or to experiment? As a grandmother, I am in a unique position to do both. My blog is the result of my own journey towards understanding both food and allergy, which I wish to share with others. Along with recipes, I will put up allergy relevant information which is essential for anyone coping with allergies.
My recipes are kid tested and are family friendly. It makes practical sense to prepare most meals in common with all the family, as common meals serve to erase the sense of exclusion and deprivation which a child with allergies can so easily develop.. Moreover, all recipes are made healthy by limiting salt, sugar and fat and by including plenty of fruits and vegetables, so that those interested in healthy, wholesome eating will appreciate my approach to cooking.
All the work that goes into “Can’t Believe Its Allergy Free!”, is a grandmother’s labor of love.
Please read the “Read This First” page on the blog
For Disclaimers
I am a mom with a similar mission as yours. Love it.
Great to know…perhaps you can share some recipes…do e mail them to me. I will try them out and ost them on the blog.
Sorry if you’ve addresses this elsewhere, but have you found a US based source for ‘Hing’ that is gluten free? I thought the slabs on gets were gluten free, but recent batches have wheat starch in the ingredients.
Gluten free hing is available if your order through amazon.com…at an exorbitant price of course! If I can find it anywhere, I will let you know.
Thank you so much for this blog. Our son got recently diagnosed with all the allergens you mention above. This blog will come super handy.
A couple of questions,
– Do you have any affiliate links that one can use? I would certainly prefer your links.
– I am not too sure how old is your grandson now, but if he is old enough, did he outgrow of the allergies?
Thank you, Noel…its good to know that my blog is helping you.
Here is a small list of links which you might find useful–
Aaaai.org (American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology) has articles offering news and info regarding food allergies
Aafa.org (Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America) supplies links relating to food allergies
Foodallergytalk.com is helpful for reading labels and sorting out ingredients which may pose a risk
Kidswithfoodallergies.org provides parents with support, resources and recipes
Mayoclinic.com supplies info and tools to help manage symptoms of allergies
I have singed up on the Food Allergy Research and Education website (FARE). They give out alerts on products as well as product info
Also try the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network– http://www.foodallergy.org
For recipes look at Allergy Free Mom .com
I have not visited these websites of late, but please have a look–hope you find good information.
I read a lot on nutrition…do click on my Good Reads category on the blog.
My grandson is now 14 plus. He has outgrown the dairy and soy allergies…all the others remain. I am waiting for the growth spurt phase during which time, I hope, with my prayers and your blessings he will outgrow a few more.
How old is your son? Take heart. over time all of us, kids included learn to manage better; and always focus on what children CAN eat rather than on what they cannot. All my best wishes.
This blog literally made my day! My toddler has nut and sesame allergies and your wonderful labor of love has made me feel that he can too eat wonderful Indian food!
Thank you so much….what a relief its only sesame and nuts,….even then one has to be so careful!