So I whined and complained when I tried going GF for the benefit of Kyson and his food issues. Well, the verdict is in via an allergy test. Kyson is allergic to:
Peanuts
Tree Nuts
Soy (!)
Shellfish
Coconut (so much for my cuppies! And linked palm oil is in everything)
Sunflower (this oil is in EVERYTHING)
Legumes (This includes beans too - yikes...)
Egg
Holy crap.
And since I'm nursing, I have to cut these out of my diet too until he weans. I would love to switch to formula now, but they also contain sunflower and coconut oil so that's not an option. Obviously he will have to drink homo milk and eat meat (I had to cook chicken for the first time yesterday...good God this is such a trial for me!). But for my diet, I guess I will have to rely on hemp and seitan. It seems like anything packaged is going to be tricky. And I can't really go raw since that diet seems to rely heavily on nuts. And of all of the things on the list, I can't even have them in the house due to cross contamination issues - it's that serious.
*Sigh*
I have to remind myself that things could be a lot worse. I mean, it's not like Kyson has been diagnosed with some grave disease or anything, so I really shouldn't complain. It's just hard to limit these foods - especially for me, when my diet is already quite restrictive.
Just looking for some kind of pep talk I guess. Or any suggestions! I've taken out some books from the library and once I have time to read them with all of his frequent wakings, I hope I will glean some nuggets of helpful info.
Off to go eat a homemade breakfast bar with very limited ingredients...
10 comments:
My good friend was a vegan as well and had to switch to cooking meat for her son. Now she even renders her own lard for oil.
My son is dairy/egg/nut/peanut and mustard allergic. Take it day by day, eventually you'll have a collection of recipes that you both will love and it will seem less overwhelming. You can do it!
My good friend who was a vegan now needs to cook meat for son - and she even renders her own lard.
My son is allergic to milk/egg/peanut/tree nut and mustard. It seems overwhelming in the beginning, but after a while you'll have a collection of great and safe recipes and ingredients you can use. Take it day by day. You can do it. : )
I also share some of those food allergies, and changing my diet and finding new foods to rely on for good nutrition *was* hard. But looking back now, I feel better and am more in tune with my body - so keep at it, it will be best for everyone in the end! Talk with other vegans/allergy-conscious eaters, your doctor, and (of course) folks via the internet to help find solutions. Like Lana said, take it day by day. You can do it!
I have a list of good allergy cookbooks on my blog Apronstrings.ca. I know you're in Ottawa, so if you ever want to borrow some for ideas, you are welcome to.
Aw, thanks all for your comments - I really needed them! I totally understand that I'm one of the millions impacted by allergies but I first felt like no one is in the exact same boat - glad, although sad, to hear that I'm not alone.
Lana - thanks for passing along your blog - I will check that out for sure! I'm the kind of girl that doesn't often make the same meal twice so I will definitely have to get used to a rotating set of recipes :)
Laura - already I am too feeling like I'm paying more attention to what I'm eating and ensuring that I'm hitting all of the vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that I should be getting. I just inquired about getting a home visit from a knowledgeable dietician as well. Thanks!
Maybe try http://www.nourishingmeals.com/ ? They're very...earthy. Good recipes.
Wow this got me brainstorming on what I would eat.
You have probably already thought of these things but here is what I came up with:
spaghetti marinara or
pasta salad w/ broccoli, marinated artichokes and olives
veggie pizza w/ lots of garlic, basil, onions, peppers, mushrooms, and olives for flavor
high protien green smoothies (I like this one http://peasandthankyou.com/2011/01/23/wean-from-the-bean/)
fruit smoothies (frozen berries, pineapple, orange juice, bananas)
rice, or oat milk
quinoa or couscous topped w/ stewed veggies
saitan bacon, lettuce, avocado, and tomato sandwiches
Creamy butternut sqash soup
tomato basil soup
gingered carrot or cauliflour soup
curried pumpkin soup
spicy vegetable tortilla soup
baked potatoes
veggie fried rice (in olive oil)
corn on the cob/popcorn
Portobello burgers with sweet potato fries
Oat muffins
Strawberry shortcake
Indian food like vegetable Korma or Aloo ghobi with rice
Anyway, I hope you are doing well and good luck!
Becky - you rock! I very much appreciate the time you took to write up all of your ideas!!! I must be on the same wavelength as you, as I've made some of the items you suggested already! Now if I could just find time to snap pics and blog about it all...
Seriously - thanks so much again - this really helps my repertoire :)
Sarah
Hi Sarah, I saw this and I thought of you. Hope everything is going great and you and the little one are thriving!
http://peasandthankyou.com/2011/08/22/lunchbox-secret-weapon-sunflower-seed-butter/
Thanks again Becky! Sadly, Kyson is allergic to sunflower so unfortunately we can't follow this recipe :( We were formally big users of Sunbutter (maybe why Kyse is allergic?) but can now only use hemp butter (yuck) or pumpkin seed butter (slight yuck). Fun, fun!
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