Guest post from Bethany of All Natural Savings
I’ve had to go on a few different allergy-free diets in the past… and I’m currently on a dairy-free diet while I nurse my son, as he doesn’t react well to dairy. It didn’t take long for me to realize that allergy-free diets can be expensive and time-consuming. However, I soon adapted to my new lifestyle and found ways to make it affordable and manageable.
If you or a family member are dealing with a food allergy or intolerance, here are a nine ideas that should help you make the transition a little easier.
1. BYO”F”
I’ve found that it’s a lot more convenient for myself (and the host) if I bring my own food. I bring along my purse-style cooler, which doesn’t attract much attention, and pack food that doesn’t need to be heated up.
This saves having to read labels of every ingredient they used in their cooking. It’s a bonus if I find something allergy-free there that I can munch on.
2. Use coupons.
Allergy-free diets can often mean higher grocery bills. This doesn’t necessarily have to be the case. There are many allergy-free coupons available and when paired with a sale, make for some cheap, allergy-free food.
Online coupon sites such as MamboSprouts.com, Coupons.com, and SmartSource.com offer many gluten-free, dairy-free and other allergy-free coupons.
3. Ask to read labels.
When we go out to eat, I’ll ask to read the labels on their bread packages, and other items that could contain dairy. They are usually happy to oblige and I still get to enjoy the food, knowing I’ll be safe from any dairy ingredients.
4. Find allergy-friendly restaurants.
I’ve found Outback Steakhouse and Applebee’s to be two of the best allergy-friendly restaurants. Outback Steakhouse has a gluten-free menu, and Applebee’s has a paper list of all of their food that is allowable for each allergy-specific diet.
I’m always impressed at Outback, as everyone from the hostess to the manager usually acknowledges it and assures me that my food does not contain any dairy.
5. Shop online.
Amazon and Vitacost are a great, frugal choice for buying allergy-free pantry items such as gluten-free flours, allergy-free snack bars, cereals, chips, and even allergy-free makeup. By using Amazon’s Subscribe and Save program, you can receive a percentage off discount on top of their already low prices.
6. Host a party.
I always find it much more convenient to host. I know what ingredients I used, and I don’t have to worry about reading labels or packing my own food.
7. Eat healthfully.
Because there are so many options, it can be tempting to eat a lot of allergy-free packaged foods. Use this as an opportunity to clean up your diet by replacing the allergy foods with more fruits and vegetables.
8. Know the lingo.
While many packages of food will specifically state if an allergen is used, some packages still do not. Brush up on all the different ingredients that contain your specific allergen. Printing a list and keeping it in your purse or walled can also be helpful for use at the grocery store or restaurant.
9. Don’t deprive yourself!
There are so many recipes and products that allow you to still indulge in your favorite foods. With my dairy-free diet, I really missed whipped cream, cream cheese, and ice cream… however, I’ve replaced these with whipped coconut milk, soy cream cheese, and the occasional treat of soy ice cream.
Stores like Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods offer a ton of allergy-free substitutes. Pinterest and other online sources are a great resource for allergy-free recipes. Get creative with other ingredients you have on hand and substitute them in your favorite recipes.
With a little creativity, being on an allergy-free diet doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive.
What are some ways that have helped you on an allergy-free diet?
Bethany is a stay at home wife and mom to her husband, Chad and sweet baby boy, Silas. She is passionate about living a healthy lifestyle and encouraging others on how to eat healthy, frugally. Her blog, All Natural Savings, offers tons of information on eating healthy, living healthy on a budget, healthy recipes and natural health.
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