Allergy Free Halloween Candy

I love candy, but like millions of people, I have to be careful about the sweets I choose. Thankfully more and more companies are rolling out safe options and identifying what's in their products. It doesn't make a bit of difference to me whether they're doing it because they have a genuine concern for people with food allergies/sensitivities or if they're just jumping on the bandwagon. It makes my decisions easier!

Here are some links to lists and articles that might help make this holiday season a little easier to navigate. Of course, if you're ever in doubt, it's better to err on the side of safety, and you can also contact the manufacturer's customer service department to find out if your candy is safe.

Gluten Free Candy
Peanut and Tree Nut Free Candy
Allergy Free Candy - All candy is free of the top 8 allergens - wheat, milk, soy, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish or shellfish.
Allergy Free Halloween Candy Round-Up

Going Gluten Free

Gluten free products are becoming easier and easier to find, and thanks to recent legislature, guidelines are being set to regulate the requirements for that label. All of this is great for those of us with celiac disease or gluten sensitivities, but is it for everyone? Gluten sensitivity causes inflammation and neurological symptoms, and in people with celiac, gluten actually destroys the lining of the intestines. For these people, a gluten free diet is necessary. So what are the benefits of going gluten free without a diagnosis of celiac or gluten sensitivity? Well, before I answer that let's look at a few issues. According to the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness, approximately 1% of the U.S. population has celiac disease, and it is believed that even more people with celiac disease are undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. In addition, it's believed that as many as 1 in 20 Americans have non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS). So, trying a gluten free diet could be beneficial for people who are noticing symptoms of sensitivity such as gastro-intestinal distress, headaches, and joint pain with no other explanation. Otherwise, you run the risk of losing out on the valuable fiber and nutrients that gluten containing foods possess. Don't take my word for it. WebMD outline some facts and concerns about the issue on their site. In people without gluten sensitivities there has been no noted health benefit and some people actually gain weight when they go gluten free. The bottom line is you have to educate yourself and make decisions based on knowledge, not hype. Be smart. Gluten free cookies are still cookies, and overly processed or refined foods are unhealthy regardless of whether or not they contain gluten. If you suspect a problem with wheat or gluten, talk to your doctor. Ask for the appropriate testing, and get to the bottom of the problems you're having. It took me almost 10 years to get my food issues sorted out... just don't give up until you feel better.

See my post about getting proper nutrients on a gluten free diet.

Food Allergy Facts

According to a study released in 2013 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, food allergies increased approximately 50% between 1997 and 2011. There is no clear reason why this is happening, despite ongoing research.

A reaction to food can range from a mild response (such as an itchy mouth) to anaphylaxis, a severe and potentially deadly reaction.

It is possible to have an anaphylactic reaction without skin rashes or hives.

Get the full list of facts here.

Gluten Free Lentil Snaps

These little snacks are pretty tasty! I was skeptical at first because I thought they would just be baked lentil pods, which didn't entice me at all. I was pleasantly surprised to find that they're actually light, crisp, and airy. They're obviously made from an extruded lentil dough... like a cheese puff. I also tried their lightly salted Snapea Crisps, but I wasn't as impressed with those. They didn't have as much flavor. The Lentil Snaps have 120 calories per container (3 servings per container), 6 grams of fat, 85 mg of sodium, 5 grams of protein, and 2 grams of fiber. They do warn that they are made in a facility that also processes wheat, milk, soy, shrimp, and fish.

My Food Allergy Addiction

I'll admit, when I got my diagnosis of multiple food sensitivities/allergies I felt like someone was taking away my favorite toy! All I could think about was all the food I wasn't going to be able to eat. Initially I lost weight, because I wasn't eating. I didn't know WHAT to eat. No egg, no dairy, no wheat, no rye (that's an easy one to avoid), and no oats. Of course that did leave fruits, vegetables, meat, and nuts... and I like those things, but I like pasta and cheese and all manner of baked goods too. So here's the thing, it's just not easy to change a life long relationship with food over night. You see, these foods I can't have anymore, but still crave, I've been eating many of them since I was a little kid. Even though it's been a few years since my diagnosis, I still struggle. I'm not perfect. I'm doing better, but I cave to my cravings from time to time, and I pay for it. Thankfully I have a husband who is supportive and is often my voice of reason when I get those cravings, but even he gets tired of my roller coaster with food. His most frequent response to me when I admit I've eaten something I shouldn't is, "I don't want to hear it later." And I get it. I do. It's hard to see someone hurt themselves over and over again because they choose not to make the right choice. It was that cycle of "I know I shouldn't have it, and I know it will make me sick, but I'm going to eat it anyway" and then, in fact, becoming ill that made me realize something. What I live with, and what many other people with similar issues live with is not entirely unlike what a recovering alcoholic goes through. We have something we enjoy, that gives us comfort, and makes us happy, but also makes us sick. No, these foods may not make me act differently when I eat them, not in the way a drug or alcohol does, and they may not destroy my relationships with other people, but my temptations are everywhere. They're on every shelf in the grocery store,  at every restaurant, every gathering, every event, and even in my own house. It's a battle I fight everyday, so where's my 12 step program? I suppose I could seek out a Food Addicts Anonymous group (and they do exist), but I don't really fit their profile. I'm not a closet eater. I'm not a binge eater. I don't have an eating disorder. Or do I? Addiction is the continued use of a substance or behavior despite adverse consequences. Granted, I wouldn't say I have a food addiction in the traditional sense, but some foods, for whatever reason, are now suddenly harmful to me, yet I still want them..Thankfully, some cravings aren't as prominent as they used to be, mostly because I'm tired of feeling like crap, but they haven't all just disappeared because I can't have them. I suspect it's something I'll have to live with for a long while. So, for now, instead of being angry about it (which usually leads to me saying, "F@#% it! I'm eating it anyway"), I'm going to surrender to it. Before you can slay the beast, you have to acknowledge that it exists, right?

Hello. My name is Kim, and I have a food allergy addiction.

Food Allergy Facts

According to Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE):

• Food allergy affects 1 in every 13 children (under 18 years of age) in the U.S. That’s roughly two in every classroom.
• Food allergies may be a trigger for or associated with other allergic conditions, such as atopic dermatitis and eosinophilic gastrointestinal diseases.
• Although childhood allergies to milk, egg, wheat and soy generally resolve in childhood, they appear to be resolving more slowly than in previous decades, with many children still allergic beyond age 5 years. Allergies to peanuts, tree nuts, fish, or shellfish are generally lifelong allergies.

 Get a full list of statistics and references here.

Food Allergy Facts

According to Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE):

• As many as 15 million Americans have food allergies. 
• An estimated 9 million, or 4%, of U.S. adults have food allergies.
• Nearly 6 million or 8% of children in the U.S. have food allergies with young children affected most.
• Boys appear to develop food allergies more than girls.

 Get a full list of statistics here.

Dole Frozen Banana Dippers

All I can say is, "I love these things!" They come with or without almonds. I prefer the almond. They're like little bon bons without the dairy! I put them in my lunch and pop them in the freezer when I get to work. When it's time to eat, I take them out and by the time I get finished with my lunch they're the perfect consistency. Fresh out of the freezer, they can be a little firm, so you might want to let them hang for a bit before eating them. They are tasty, refreshing, and cheap! They cost about $3 for a box with 6 packs, and each pack has 4 banana slices. You can find them in the frozen fruit section of your grocery.

Go Picnic Hummus & Crackers

www.Gopicnic.com

I have heard about (in fact I've even blogged about), but never actually seen Go Picnic products near me... let alone try them... until recently. I have to admit I was giddy to find these in the Houston airport. Knowing I was going to be traveling for a while, I grabbed one to keep in my bag.

Here's what I like about these snack boxes, they're compact, nutritious, and they list all the possible allergens clearly on the side of the box. I tried the Hummus & Crackers. It comes with individual packets of gluten free Multi-Seed Crackers, Wild Garden Hummus, Power Play (roasted edamame, pumpkin seeds, and watermelon seeds), Baja Blend fruit & nut mix (habanera almonds, sweet & salty peanuts, and mango cranberries), and a piece of dark chocolate with sea salt. 

                          






The crackers are tasty and the hummus was delicious. I shared with my brother and sister during my trip and they were both impressed with the hummus. I had never had watermelon seeds and am not a fan of edamame, so I was skeptical of the Power Play mix. Soy beans just have the tendency to leave a gritty texture in my mouth, but these were toasted nicely and I found them at least tolerable. I was pleasantly surprised by the watermelon seeds. They were like delightful little puffs of toasted goodness. Overall, I preferred the Baja Blend to the Power Play. The habanero almonds were spicy but not overpowering, and the peanuts and cranberries balanced out the heat with some sweet. Now, I'm a huge fan of chocolate and of course I loved the dark chocolate with sea salt. It is a very rich chocolate so I wasn't disappointed that there was only one piece. It was just enough to satisfy my sweet tooth.

I appreciated GoPicnic's easy to stow packaging, and their products are high quality & worth the $5-$6 price tag. I would have easily spent more buying little bags of comparable components. I will definitely be seeking these out again!

Banana & Peanut Butter "Ice Cream"

I have seen this recipe floating around the interwebs for a while, and it was even recommended to me by a friend not long ago. It just took me this long to break down and give it a try. I really couldn't see how it was going to translate to "ice cream". It was actually really good. I added chopped strawberries to mine & was very pleased with the outcome. It was very creamy and did an excellent job killing that ice cream craving. 

If you're allergic to peanuts try a substitute like Sun Butter. You could probably skip the peanut butter altogether and mix in other ingredients that sound good to you. It's super easy to make!

Here's what I did. 

Ingredients:

2 bananas (over ripe is ok)

1 Tbsp creamy peanut butter

1 tsp cocoa powder (optional)

2-3 diced strawberries (optional)

Slice bananas & place in the freezer for a couple of hours. Blend in a good blender or food processor until creamy & smooth. Add peanut butter & cocoa. Mix thoroughly. Add strawberries or other add-ins.  Place in container & return to freezer to firm up.

Mine started to melt on me... It may not look appetizing here, but trust me, it was delicious!