Who Said I Can't Eat That?

I have just been diagnosed as having an intolerance to a number of foods - what can I eat now?

My first concern when I was diagnosed with multiple intolerances was: what can I eat now? So I made a list of what I could eat and another list of what I could not eat. From the Could Not Eat List I concentrated on finding food or ingredient substitutes - the result my book of recipes with substitutes.

Won't I get hungry if I can't eat the way I used to?

Initially you may be hungry as your body adjusts to eating differently. I found that I need regular snacks as the food I now eat digests quickly but the upside is that you will find that you have heaps more energy. I always carry with me food I can eat or at least a snack as many places and new friends don't cater for people with intolerances. Examples are bananas, carrots, rice biscuits, corn chips, tin of fish and chamomile tea bags.

Will I have to cook special meals for just one person?

No. If you plan your meals correctly your whole family can enjoy the same meal as you with the substituted ingredients and they won't be aware that there is anything different about it. You can still cook their special treats that you cannot eat and this won't be a task for you when you are again well and healthy.

What products do you use in your recipes?

I use the following products in my book and recipes:
Freedom Foods - Gluten Free All Purpose Crumbs, Pure Honey, Pear Juice Concentrates, Pasta, Corn Chips.
Lowan - Buckwheat Flour, Soy Flour Pure Harvest - Rice Syrup,
Tamari Wheat Free Soya Sauce.
Orgran - Gluten Free Plain Flour, Gluten Free Self-Raising Flour, Pasta.
Abundant Earth - Brown Rice Baking Mix White Wings - Gluten Free Cornflour
McKenzies - Arrowroot, Rice Flour, Spices and Herbs, Bi-carb Soda
Australia Own - Malt Free
Soy Milk Soya King - Malt Free Soy Milk
Nature First - Sea Salt
Mainland - Pure Butter - Buttersoft
Jalna - Pure Natural Yoghurt
Naked Earth - Corn Chips
Lotus - Gluten Free Baking Powder, Gluten Free Custard Powder
Ardmona Foods Ltd - Goulburn Valley Gold Peach n Mango (with no added sugar)

Where do you get these products?

These products are available from supermarkets e.g Coles, Safeway, IGA and Health Shops. If they are not on the shelf ask the store's manager if the products can be ordered in for you.

I live out of town and quite a distance to shops, how can I get these products?

You can order these products from an On-Line Shopping Site (www.aboutlife.com.au)

Isn't it more expensive to eat with all these special foods?

While these products may be more expensive you will find that you have actually saved money by avoiding take-away and un-necessary nibbles and snacks, not using artificial flavorings and additives and of course not paying for treatment once you are well again.

I loved your book, when are you writing another one?

Thank you for the interest in my book and I am glad it was a help to you. My next book is "Breakfast, Brunches & Lunches" which I am currently working on and hope to have it released around October 2004. The more I hear from people, the more intolerances I am hearing about. I appreciate your feedback so keep writing to me - the more I know about what you want, the more I can hopefully help in my next book!

Where can I get more information about food for people with food intolerance or food allergy?

There about a number of links on this site that will take you to other pages that explain more about specific allergies and intolerances. Click HERE for more information.