The most common question I get when I reveal the extent of my food allergies to people is "What in the world can you eat?" In the spirit of giving and helping fellow people with disabilities have safe, happy, and good holidays, I post this diary with some help for those having gatherings with people with food differences, and hope others follow up with suggestions for other disabilities in the comments!
KosAbility is a community diary series posted at 5 PM ET every Sunday and Wednesday by volunteer diarists. This is a gathering place for people who are living with disabilities, who love someone with a disability, or who want to know more about the issues surrounding this topic. There are two parts to each diary. First, a volunteer diarist will offer their specific knowledge and insight about a topic they know intimately. Then, readers are invited to comment on what they've read and/or ask general questions about disabilities, share something they've learned, tell bad jokes, post photos, or rage about the unfairness of their situation. Our only rule is to be kind; trolls will be spayed or neutered.
"But, Allergywoman," you might say, "there isn't anyone in my family with food allergies." And you might be right. But your son's girlfriend, your toddler nephew, or your friend from high school might be coming this year and either have developed allergies recently or only have told you about it today. What do you do?
Okay, after you panic for a bit, what do you do?
Why, you trust your friends at KosAbility to recommend good, festive options to help make things better. For example, one of the hardest things to find when you have allergies is safe chocolate candy. Good news! The great people at Enjoy Life Foods, www.enjoylifefoods.com make good quality chocolate candy and chocolate chips, among other great foods. All their products are free of the top eight allergens, wheat, soy, milk, nuts, peanuts, fish, shellfish, and eggs. Back when I could eat sunflower, I tasted their berry granola cereal, and it's great too. I know the chocolate is safe even for celiac sufferers. In my experience, they're very good at labeling and regularly update with possible problems, like recent additions to some of their candy bars that they may have been cross-contaminated with corn. I recommend them highly.
"But, Allergywoman," you continue, "I have an aunt with celiac disease, and last year I shelled out umpteen bucks for a loaf of that gluten-free bread? You know the one. She took one bite and left the rest. What will she eat, 'cause I'm not paying umpteen bucks for crap?"
Good question. Some foods that are marketed to the allergic/celiac market are, quite honestly, bad tasting and a waste of money. However, one thing you need to know that most publications say about gluten-free breads: you have to toast them, or at least heat them up. Read the package. If it says "Warm for a minute in microwave," do it. Even really good gluten-free breads will taste lousy if untoasted.
So what's a good option that Aunt Meg will eat? I recommend two of the breads that the good people at Ener-G Foods, www.energ.com, make, their brown rice loaf and their Papa's loaf. Toast them in the oven if you usually use your toaster for wheat breads, spread on a safe oil and spice combo, and no one will complain.
If you want to be extra giving at this season of Light, you can't go wrong with a dessert baking mix from Namaste Foods, http://namastefoods.com We have safely used their chocolate cake mix and brownie mix, and love them both. Trust me, if you go to the trouble to actually make something yourself that a person with food differences can have, she or he will be forever grateful.
"But Allergywoman," you say, "my niece has so many food allergies I can't keep track. Can I ask her to bring along some of her own things to make sure she eats safely?"
Absolutely. It's hard enough some days for those of us with these problems to remember all the things we can and can't eat, and feel free to ask us to bring along a safe special soy or rice milk, some safe cooking oil, or even our own tamari sauce.
"And Allergywoman," you say, "if I can't keep all this stuff in mind, what's a simple tip to help me get safer foods for my guests?"
Well, you can always look back here, but here's what you do. (1) When possible, talk to the person with the problem directly. He or she has to keep healthy and knows the condition better than even a very loving partner or friend. (2) Get foods that are as little processed as possible. Corn on the cob or even frozen corn niblets are less likely to cause problems than corn cereals or commercially processed breads. (3) Ask for help at your local natural foods store (if you have one). They may have insights into which products their customers with food differences prefer, or which ones to avoid.
May your celebration of the Light, be it through Jesus or other Gods or a simple reflection on the season, be joyous and safe!