Thinking back to what I've come to call the adjustment period, I think the best advice I received was to keep it simple. Don't get caught up looking for replacements or specialty products which may come and go, or require trips all over town to purchase.
I remember talking to a good friend after returning from the grocery store broken and near meltdown. Feeling wiped after reading label after label, and coming home almost empty handed. Her advice: Keep the ingredients simple! Funny thing is, her husband partially overheard the conversation and thought she was being too hard on me - absolutely not!
There are more convenience foods available today than ever before. They can be great in a pinch, but add up quickly, and some even come and go. The easiest way to avoid many allergens is to simply stick with the basics: meats, fruits and vegetables
It's not as boring as it may sound, and honestly with a some tricks and a little practice, you'll be surprised what you can come up with. That's not to say we don't consume convenience foods, but we strive to limit them, and our family seems to even feel better when we do.
In our family we're avoiding wheat, corn, soy and dairy due to allergies. At times it can be difficult to tell if an item is truly free of all the allergens from the ingredient label. Corn and soy are hidden nearly everywhere, and corn is not an FDA mandated ingredient to call out for allergies, making it even more elusive at times.
Ever wonder what is in those natural flavors? Or from what source the maltodextrin was derived? Depending on allergen levels, best to email the manufacturer. I've had a 100% response rate, and all with helpful information. I've even received some free samples! Some companies do not know, or cannot guarantee the ingredients of the natural flavors or maltodextrin, as they purchase it from a third party. Either way, they'll have the information you need, from which you can make a judgement call.
So instead of a new recipe today, just head to the store (or your fridge), grab some whole-food-based products and be creative.
How do I get dinner ideas?
Pictures, not recipes. I scroll pictures on the AllRecipes app or web (I've heard Pinterest may also be a good resource). Once I see something that looks appealing, I'll often skim the recipe, and then use our allergen-safe ingredients to come up with something similar - or at times, completely different sparked by a combination of pictures. The key is not to try to make exactly what you've seen, and expect it to taste the same as it did when you were consuming ingredients which you've since eliminated. That will only lead to disappointment. Think in your head, of the ingredients you have on hand, what preparation methods and combinations sounds good. And don't be disappointed if they all don't work out - it's not magic, it's trial and error.
