Food Allergy Awareness Week
This is food allergy awareness week, although I have only seen it advertised in one place, so I'm not sure what the scope and purpose of it is. Since being diagnosed with food allergies three months ago, I have fluctuated between trying to avoid major offenders, and then getting so discouraged (and hungry!) that I just throw the diet out the window.
I finally made some time today to go through a library cookbook that amazingly avoids all six foods I am allergic to, and figure out what I can eat that will satisfy my taste buds, my hunger, and my intenstinal lining at the same time. I made a list of ingredients that I need to buy, and I have absolutely no idea which store to find them in, or in what part of the store they would be located:
oat flour
rice flour
chickpea flour
tapioca starch flour
quinoa flour
barley flour
rye flour
xanthan gum
agave nectar
coconut milk
maple sugar
unbuffered Vitamin C crystals
walnut oil
My first thought would be Whole Foods or Central Market, but unfortunately, those are both a 30-45-minute drive one way, which I would prefer not to make if at all possible. Of course, if I can manage to only go every several weeks, it would not be that bad. Has anyone seen any of these at someplace like Kroger's? You would think that grocery stores would be eager to attract people who have no choice but to buy these expensive substitutes for wheat and sugar and milk, but every time I have tried to look for anything out of the ordinary, I have the hardest time finding anything, and just give up. Any help is appreciated!
I finally made some time today to go through a library cookbook that amazingly avoids all six foods I am allergic to, and figure out what I can eat that will satisfy my taste buds, my hunger, and my intenstinal lining at the same time. I made a list of ingredients that I need to buy, and I have absolutely no idea which store to find them in, or in what part of the store they would be located:
oat flour
rice flour
chickpea flour
tapioca starch flour
quinoa flour
barley flour
rye flour
xanthan gum
agave nectar
coconut milk
maple sugar
unbuffered Vitamin C crystals
walnut oil
My first thought would be Whole Foods or Central Market, but unfortunately, those are both a 30-45-minute drive one way, which I would prefer not to make if at all possible. Of course, if I can manage to only go every several weeks, it would not be that bad. Has anyone seen any of these at someplace like Kroger's? You would think that grocery stores would be eager to attract people who have no choice but to buy these expensive substitutes for wheat and sugar and milk, but every time I have tried to look for anything out of the ordinary, I have the hardest time finding anything, and just give up. Any help is appreciated!
posted by Elisabeth | 10:33 AM
7 Comments:
I have seen most of those ingredients before...unfortunately for you, I've seen them at Central Market and Whole Foods. Are there HEBs in Houston? Some of our HEBs, the ones in the neighborhoods where highly food conscience demographics live, have a bulk and special foods section. I was under the impression that different kinds of flours were just that food ground up, like almond flour was ground almonds...am I mistaken? That would be pretty cheap and easier to find. Check this out: http://glutenfreegirl.blogspot.com/2006/11/flour-as-dark-as-seattle-skies-in.html
I think coconut milk is pretty common. They have it in cans at HEB in the Asian food section of the "ethnic" food aisle. And I think agave nectar is becoming more and more widely available too, but maybe that's just in Austin. Probably by the honey.
http://www.foodsubs.com/Flournw.html
Also check this out. It lists tons of flours and gives all the different names they go by, what types of stores you're likely to find them, and how to make your own.
Sorry for all the comments, but I looked up each of your hard-to-find ingredients, and they're all available for sale over the internet, which is probably not as economical, but less of a hassle than driving 30 or 45 minutes...
Thanks, Rachel for the help! I went to HEB this afternoon and found all the flours. I didn't find the last five things, but maybe just because I didn't know where to look. I'll have to look in the places you suggested next time I go.
Hi! I admire your persistence!
I've seen some of the flours and some of the latter ingredients like coconut milk in Asian or Indian/Pakistani grocery stores too. Do you have any international markets near you?
If (actually, WHEN! :) ) you come up to visit Maryland, I'll take you to Trader Joes, which has lots of unusual items(I was actually wondering the other day what Agave honey was used for - I saw some there). I looked up Trader Joes locations, but it's not in Houston...YET! If you're ever traveling somewhere, you might look it up and stop in.
Wow, I am so proud of you for taking the time to make this thing work for you. You are going to find that you are not alone and that all of us need to eat more like you do.
I hope after a few months you will feel good enough to make it worth it. We loved having you with you.
Wal-Mart sells coconut milk. I had some tonight...tested Troy out on some Indian food. :-)
I've got some recipes to send your way as soon as I get a chance to type them.
I'm not sure what you are planning on baking with all of those flours but be patient! I've had some disappointing results. The good news is that there are a LOT of recipes out there that avoid all of your allergens. I'll keep sending mine your way as I am able!
It was so good to catch up this week! I'm praying for you to be disicplined enough to follow your diet! It's so worth it!
Post a Comment
<< Home