Compensating for Food Allergies
I was diagnosed as allergic to dairy a couple years ago. If you don't know what it's like to have your entire diet turned upside down, consider yourself fortunate. Anyone familiar with the standard American food options knows that dairy can be hard to avoid. It's bad enough to forego cheese, but so many things have milk ingredients that it could drive one to madness just trying to build a basic meal.
Unfortunately, I can't even use goat cheese or milk, because that same allergy test said those had a reaction as well. This was a scientific blood test by mainstream medicine, not muscle-testing quackery, so there's not really any wiggle room for me anywhere.
Most dairy alternatives are poor substitutes for the real thing, and even almond milk can only go so far despite being the only decent alternative I have found. So what is one to do when dietary desperation starts to set in?
Foreign food to the rescue!!!
Mexican and Asian cuisine often offer a viable alternative that actually tastes good! I can eat Mexican food with no cheese or sour cream, and most of the time I don't feel like I am missing out. Burritos and Enchiladas are still off the table, but there are still lots of hearty and tasty menu choices. Asian cuisine - especially pre-packaged storebought stuff - needs to be monitored carefully sometimes, but still offers a flavorful alternative to vegan cardboard crap. There's a Thai place in town I need to try some time, and I'd also like to try the Mongolian barbecue. I don't eat out much, but desperation for variety could encourage me to splurge now and then.
News you can use: I encourage anyone with dietary restrictions to explore the global food options, especially if there's a small local shop with a clerk willing to talk your ear off. There is a great little oriental food and gift shop on one of the nearby towns, run by a little old woman who is always eager to offer suggestions. I should go there this week to stock up on some more interesting seasonings for home-cooked meals. Red pork seasoning is a delicious marinade for chicken or pork, and any excess mixture can be refrigerated for re-use. It has a mild but distinct flavor that I find hard to describe, and it's a pleasant change from the usual seasonings. Cut your meat of choice into strips, marinade, broil, and you're done.
Now don't get me wrong. None of this makes up for not being able to eat foods I have enjoyed all my life. There are days where the cravings are absolute misery. Food I can eat and actually enjoy can get expensive. Restaurants are not at all cheap. But this option at least opens some windows to find new things I can enjoy, and keeps me from gnawing my own arm off from monotonous meals.
I am allergic to a lot of stuff too. Down to 98 lbs most days. I was usually 106 before knowing all this. I avoid dairy, gluten, soy, corn, food colorings, msg.... so I am damn hungry all the time. I am actually allergic to eggs and that is why I lost the 8 lbs if you ask me. I ate baked goods every day and eggs on salad ( with the dressing that is based in egg) scrambled eggs... they were a staple in my diet. Now I am free of the debilitating pain that used to cripple me but yep I am hungry. I actually give in regularly and have stuff with dairy because at least it only upsets my tummy but i would love to be able to eat the way my body needs me to eat and feel full. I eat a lot of nuts and fruits. I also avoid tomatoes and onions because of migraines. I also deeply believe in living vegan but there is no way given this body I am using apparently. Organically raised meat is one of the things that never make me feel sick so I am paleo mostly. Good luck and I will follow so I can gain new info and share mine.
I forgot to tell you one thing that has kept me healthy IMO are the Orgain vegan drinks. I only like the chocolate one
I don't have reaction to dairy, but nightshades nearly crippled me. Try to find 5 foods in the known universe without potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, or paprika. I found 1 mustard without paprika and the company stopped making it. I have to make my own. At least I can still eat horseradish.
Upside down is right. I wander through the grocery store, looking at the things on the shelves like they're all as edible as if I were in a hardware store.
I've been looking for some way to break down the compounds that I react to, no dice, yet. I don't know what part of dairy to which you are allergic, but there might be a work around. For nightshade poisoning, the emergency services use activated charcoal. This only helps me a little, and depends on which one I eat. Potatoes and green bell peppers are a no go. Very ripe tomatoes plus charcoal are almost tolerable.
Maybe there is another type of dairy you could use. Sheep and goat milk are actually pretty good, and I've seen an increasing availability of camel's milk, no joke. Camel's milk is supposed to be the most compatible and non-reactive with humans, other than human milk, that is.
Sheep and goat are out. Camel is an entirely unknown quantity.
I wish you good luck. Dairy allergy sucks.
I think I know of this little old woman that you speak of. I might have a wok in my oven drawer from that very shop. She is probably the best salesperson to ever exist. Her green tea has magic powers...