Food allergies and intolerances are becoming more and more commonplace, making allergy-free meal plans a necessity, according to HeartofCooking.com. Allergies to food can range from mild and irritating to life-threatening, depending upon the individual and the allergen. If you are not used to managing food allergies, it is essential that you speak to a physician, dietitian or the individual about appropriate food safety.
Types
Common food allergies include the top eight allergens: wheat, eggs, soy, dairy products, peanuts, shellfish and fish, and tree nuts, but people can be allergic to any food. While you may not be able to plan meals that avoid every possible allergen, you can create meal plans that avoid major allergens, suggests the Mayo Clinic, and increase the likelihood that everyone present can eat and enjoy your hard work. If you are familiar with the specific food allergies in your situation, you may be able to include some common allergens and simply avoid problem foods.
Significance
The FDA requires that companies label foods with the eight major allergens, according to the Mayo Clinic. Read labels carefully when shopping for allergy-free foods, and be aware that some products contain ingredients you might not expect. Depending upon the allergy and sensitivity, you may also wish to avoid foods that have potentially been exposed to allergen contamination during production.
Considerations
When you are trying to avoid food allergens, cooking from simple, natural whole foods is ideal. Use a wide variety of vegetables, whole grains like brown rice or quinoa, and simple protein sources like lamb, turkey or chicken. Olive oil, lemon or lime juice and fresh herbs and spices can provide flavor. While baking without wheat, eggs or dairy products poses some challenges, there are easy to use gluten-free, vegan baking mixes on the market to simplify this process. You will find a number of allergy-free products on the shelf of your local health food store if you need prepared foods to round out your meal plan, according to KidswithFoodAllergies.org.
Potential
Create a simple meal plan by opting for a breakfast of an allergy-free porridge made of quinoa cooked with rice milk and fresh fruit. A salad topped with steak or chicken breast and a dressing made of oil, vinegar and spices will be appropriate for most people with food allergies. You can opt for a meat-based or vegetarian stew or stir fry over brown rice or a traditional meat and potatoes meal for dinner. Consider roasted chicken with oven roasted potatoes, steak with baked potatoes topped with fresh herbs or a dairy and soy-free margarine, or pan fried pork chops and applesauce.
Warning
If you do not typically cook for someone with allergies or food intolerances, it is critical that you thoroughly understand the possible sensitivities. In some cases, you may need to use new, dedicated cookware or avoid using wooden spoons and other items that can be contaminated. Other allergens, like peanuts, can be fatal even in trace quantities. An immaculately clean kitchen free of any potential residue is critical.
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