This morning, while I was enjoying my morning oatmeal and cup of joe, a segment on tv that caught my attention.
They were talking about food allergies and an amazing t-shirt for kids!
I wish my mom had this when I was little! This shirt has the most common allergies, and mom or dad can just check off what their child must stay away from! There are even spaces to fill in extra allergies, instructions, etc.
As someone who has suffered from SEVERE food allergies for all of my life, I understand how crucial awareness is to saving lives. When you have a child who may not completely realize how life threatening an allergy can be, these sorts of tools aid in making teachers, fellow parents, etc. aware of the severity and specifics.
Here are some alternatives to common food allergies 4 common food allergies!
Peanuts- THIS IS MY BIG ONE. I am DEATHLY allergic to these little guys, and have been for my entire life. No, I have never REALLY eaten peanut butter, and NO I do not ever just want to taste it.
SWAP
Traditional Peanutbutter FOR SUNBUTTER
Sunbutter is a fantastic alternative. This creamy goodness is made with Sunflower Seed Butter! There are even store brand sunflower seed butters at franchises like Trader Joes. My favorite part about the Sunbutter brand is that they guarantee that there are no chances of cross contamination (cross contamination is enough to trigger a reaction for some people). They have lots of Peanut free products. Check them out!
Gluten- Yes, lots of people go gluten-free because it seems “trendy”, but there is a difference between intolerance and ALLERGIC. Many people with Celiac disease will have severe reactions if ANY gluten is present in their food. What is gluten? Essentially it is the protein found in certain grains.
Gluten is present in: Bread (both white and whole wheat), pasta, cous cous, wheat, barley, spelt and rye etc. (google to find a complete list)
SWAP
My favorite Bread products come from: UDIS
As for grains, go with Quinoa, Brown Rice and Gluten Free Oatmeal.
(Check out Huff Posts reviews about gluten free breads)
Dairy- Lots of people are allergic to dairy. There are even more people who don’t realize that their bodies don’t tolerate it very well.
*Try eliminating dairy from your diet for two weeks, and see how you feel. If you feel GREAT, you probably have an intolerance!*
The good news is that there are TONS of products that are dairy free.
SWAP
COCONUT MILK
So Delicious is my favorite. It is made with coconut, and has a fantastic texture and flavor. Opt for the unsweetened one to avoid extra sugar!
Other options: Almond milk, hemp milk, soy milk or rice milk. Find them at your local supermarket or health food store!
Soy: This stuff is in everything. If a person has a severe allergy to soy, they have to read every label religiously (it is often the last ingredient in processed foods). Other than just avoiding products with soy
SWAP
Traditional soy sauce for:
COCONUT AMINOS! This stuff is way lower in sodium than traditional soy sauce, has a slightly sweet flavor, and is a delicious alternative! Even if you don’t have an allergy, try it out… it’s really fantastic!!!!
So the next time someone has an allergy, take it seriously. It is really difficult of people who struggle with these food limitations, and friends and family need to understand how serious it can be.
TIP: If you think you may have an intolerance to any of these, try eliminating them from your diet for two weeks. Note how you feel and if it’s better without the product get rid of it!
COMMENT below if you have an allergy that you have had to deal with!!!
xoxoSYN!
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