Eating With Food Allergies

10/12/2023

In the realm of festive treats, the classic candy cane stands tall as a symbol of holiday joy. However, if you avoid eggs and dairy due to food allergies or follow a vegan diet, you might be wondering: are candy canes vegan? What about gluten and other common allergens? In this guide, we’ll take a look at candy cane ingredients and other considerations when choosing this minty holiday treat.

Are candy canes vegan? In this guide we'll explore if candy canes are vegan, gluten free, and free from common allergens.

03/07/2023

Are you dairy free and craving a frozen dessert that's safe? Here's a cool idea: Make this sorbet!! 🍨 😄

One of my favorite things to do in June/July here in Minnesota is pick strawberries. I always pick way too many (I just can't help myself!)

Making this strawberry sorbet is one of my favorite ways to use fresh berries (but you can use frozen berries, too!)

You'll only need 3 ingredients to make this refreshing treat: strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice.

Get the recipe here: https://www.eatingwithfoodallergies.com/strawberrysorbet/ (link in bio)

14/05/2023

It’s Food Allergy Awareness week and what better way to kick it off than to celebrate food allergy moms!

These are 5 things that every food allergy mom needs to know.

Enjoy your day and know that your kids are better off because of you! ❤️

13/12/2022

Salad isn’t usually the star of holiday menus but this broccoli crunch salad brings some pizazz to the table! 🌟⁠
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Fresh broccoli florets are tossed with crunchy apples, pomegranate seeds, and sunflower seeds and tossed in a homemade dairy and egg free poppy seed dressing. It’s colorful, crunchy, easy to make and so delicious your family will be asking you to make it year-round!⁠
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👉Get the recipe (it's free from the top 9 allergens!): https://www.eatingwithfoodallergies.com/broccoli-crunch-salad/ (link in bio).⁠
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19/07/2022

Do you think cupcakes are just for birthdays?⁠
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No way! All food allergy moms know that cupcakes are the perfect treat for many occasions. ⁠
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🧁 School party? Make cupcakes!⁠
🧁Family gathering? Make cupcakes!⁠
🧁Tuesday afternoon? Make cupcakes!! 😁⁠
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But if you think it needs to be someone's birthday to indulge in a cupcake, then I have good news for you...it's my son Gavin's 18th birthday! ⁠
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So, let's celebrate!⁠
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Both of the cupcakes pictured are gluten free and free from the top 9 allergens including eggs, dairy, peanuts, tree nuts, and soy.⁠
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Get the recipes here 👇⁠
Chocolate: https://www.eatingwithfoodallergies.com/allergyfreebirthdaycake/⁠
Vanilla:⁠
https://www.eatingwithfoodallergies.com/gluten-free-dairy-free-cupcakes/⁠
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Which one will you choose? Chocolate or vanilla? Drop your choice in the comments! ⁠
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25/05/2022

Have you noticed that the word “allergy” gets used a lot, even when it’s not an allergy?❓⁠
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For those of us managing food allergies, it can be frustrating at times. We want people to know when we say allergy, it’s serious. It means we CAN NOT HAVE THAT FOOD, or anything touching that food for that matter.⁠
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But some health conditions outside of food allergy do still require careful avoidance of certain foods. For example, people with Celiac disease and Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity must avoid gluten. ⁠
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So, what’s the difference between these conditions and wheat allergy? Let’s break it down:⁠
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🌾 Wheat allergy can be an IgE-mediated or non-IgE-mediated immune system response to the proteins in wheat. Reactions usually occur within minutes to a couple of hours of eating wheat and can be life-threatening (non-IgE reactions may be more delayed). It is possible for someone with a wheat allergy to outgrow it. ⁠
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🌾Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease in which the ingestion of gluten causes damage to the small intestine and more health problems. People with Celiac disease must strictly avoid GLUTEN ⁠
which is in wheat, barley, rye, and triticale (not just wheat).⁠
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🌾Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity (NCGS) is a condition in which eating gluten causes a variety of symptoms, often affecting the digestive system. Unfortunately, there isn’t good testing for this so a diagnosis is made by removing gluten from the diet. If you feel better without gluten, you might have NCGS. It isn’t clear if consuming gluten when you have NCGS actually causes damage to the body but we do know it can cause uncomfortable symptoms.⁠
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The bottom line? These conditions require strict avoidance of wheat (as in wheat allergy) OR wheat, barley, AND rye (as in Celiac disease) to avoid a reaction/damage. Saying “I have a gluten allergy” may not be accurate but it simplifies communication and means “I need to strictly avoid gluten”.⁠
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A final note: If you have a strong dislike for a food, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE do not say you’re allergic. It really makes it harder for those of us with allergies!⁠
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Was any of this surprising to you? What would you add? Please share in the comments! 👇

10/05/2022

Wanna know what drives me bananas? Misinformation about food allergies! Here are some of the most common food allergy myths (busted!):

🛑 Myth #1: Food allergies aren’t that serious.
This incorrect perception might stem from people choosing to call their food dislikes an “allergy”(please don’t do that!!) In reality, food allergies can cause reactions that vary in severity - everything from a rash to difficulty breathing to anaphylactic shock which is life-threatening. Unfortunately, we can’t predict how severe an allergic reaction will be at any given exposure.

🛑 Myth #2: A little bit (of allergen) won’t hurt.
Wrong! For people with food allergies, a little bit of allergen can cause a reaction, even a tiny crumb. For example, a salad that is topped with croutons now has wheat on it. Removing the chunk of crouton does not completely remove the wheat protein. This is called cross-contact and it causes serious allergic reactions.

🛑 Myth #3: Peanuts and tree nuts are the most dangerous allergens.
It is true that peanut and tree nut allergies can be severe. But it’s also true that allergic reactions to other allergens like milk, eggs, and even wheat can be just as severe, even life-threatening. Both of my sons have had anaphylaxis to eggs, multiple times unfortunately. And my oldest son has had anaphylaxis to milk and wheat. It can happen with *any* allergen.

🛑 Myth #4: A food allergy develops in childhood and then you have it for life.
Actually, food allergies can develop at any age, even to foods you’ve eaten for years. Children can outgrow food allergies. It is more common to outgrow allergies to dairy, eggs, soy, and wheat. It is less common to outgrow allergies to peanuts, tree nuts, fish, and shellfish.

🛑 Myth #5: Cooking food makes it less allergenic.
A food allergy is caused by an immune system response to the protein in a food. Cooking it does not remove the protein. One exception is that some people with allergies to egg and dairy foods can tolerate these allergens if they are baked for an extended period of time at a high temperature. Talk with your doctor before attempting this.

Have you heard these myths before? What others have you heard?

08/05/2022

Wishing all of the moms out there a wonderful Mother's Day! 💗⁠
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Food allergy moms - you do so much for your kiddos that so many moms don’t have to do. You do it without fanfare or even thank yous. You just do it…and you make it look easy!⁠
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Your kids might not realize all that you do but, if they did, these are just a few of the thank you notes they would write for you.⁠
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Keep up the great work and I hope your Mother's Day is special. 😊⁠
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15/04/2022

Easter crafts that are also edible? Yeeeessss!⁠
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This is the perfect little treat to make with your little ones because they're super easy and fun to make!⁠
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Here's what you'll need:⁠
- 1/4 cup coconut oil or dairy free margarine⁠
- 1 bag mini marshmallows⁠
- 6 cups gluten free crispy rice cereal (I got mine at Aldi)⁠
- 1/3 cup dairy free chocolate morsels (like or allergen-free morsels)⁠
- Safe jelly beans⁠
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🐤Make the cereal bars the way you normally would (⭐recipe link in the bio⭐). ⁠
🐤Take 1/4 cup of the cereal/marshmallow mixture and form it into the nest shape and place it on a cookie sheet lined with wax paper. Continue until all of the cereal/marshmallow mixture is formed into nests.⁠
🐤Next, melt the chocolate in a glass dish or measuring cup in 30-second increments, stirring in between, until smooth.⁠
🐤Take a fork and dip it into the melted chocolate. Then drizzle it onto the nests in a circular motion. Then put a small amount in the bottom of the nest to help secure the jelly beans. ⁠
🐤Place the jelly beans on the chocolate and let them sit until the chocolate firms up.⁠
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Enjoy!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

14/04/2022

Are you still planning your Easter menu? Don't forget the cheesy potatoes! ⁠
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For years I was convinced that it wasn't worth attempting to make cheesy potatoes without dairy. After all, my tried-and-true recipe was laden with milk, butter, and cheese. Could it really be any good with dairy free alternatives?⁠⠀⁠
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The answer is YES! With the right dairy substitutes, these potatoes are creamy and delicious! Plus, they're a lighter version of many cheesy potato recipes out there!⁠⠀⁠
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👉 Get the recipe here: https://www.eatingwithfoodallergies.com/gluten-free-cheesy-potatoes/ (link in bio!)⁠⠀⁠⁠⠀⁠⁠⠀⁠⁠⠀⁠⁠⠀⁠⁠⠀⁠

13/04/2022

Who says spritz cookies are just for Christmas??⁠
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My boys are both allergic to eggs so my childhood tradition of dying hard-boiled eggs went to the wayside long ago. Instead, we decorate cookies and spritz cookies are one of their favorites!⁠
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These little "butter" cookies can be made into any shape you like, even butterflies for Spring and Easter!⁠
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And they're free of the top 9 allergens including wheat/gluten, eggs, dairy, soy, and nuts.⁠
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Get the recipe here: https://www.eatingwithfoodallergies.com/spritzcookies/ (link in bio!)⁠
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12/04/2022

Are you planning Easter brunch? Don't forget the pancakes! 🥞⁠
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These oat milk pancakes are free of the top 9 allergens and super quick and easy to make!⁠
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On a normal Saturday, it's pretty common for us to whip up a batch of regular pancakes (served with REAL maple syrup, of course!)⁠
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But for Easter and other special occasions, we like to "mix in" some variety.⁠
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Some of our favorites are:⁠
🥞 Blueberry⁠
🥞 Chocolate chip ⁠
🥞 Banana chocolate chip⁠
🥞 Strawberry⁠
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Get the recipe here:⁠
https://www.eatingwithfoodallergies.com/allergyfreepancakes/ (link in bio!)⁠
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How do you like your pancakes??⁠
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