Food Allergies and diet
Libby283
Posts: 288 Member
I have a few new food allergies to work around. I also mostly eat out. Help! I am struggling to find food I can eat. I had a BLT sandwich with no mayo for dinner.
I can’t have egg, white potatoes, coconut, palm oil, turkey, lamb, pork, strawberries, fish or nuts. I dislike steak and get tired of chicken.
I liked salad with toppings like egg, or chicken salad which are now a no go.
Anyone have suggestions of what I can eat?
I have a feeling with my new limited diet the weight is naturally going to come off me. I already miss potatoes...
I can’t have egg, white potatoes, coconut, palm oil, turkey, lamb, pork, strawberries, fish or nuts. I dislike steak and get tired of chicken.
I liked salad with toppings like egg, or chicken salad which are now a no go.
Anyone have suggestions of what I can eat?
I have a feeling with my new limited diet the weight is naturally going to come off me. I already miss potatoes...
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Replies
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That seems very restrictive. Are they all genuine allergies where you have an allergic reaction to the protein? Perhaps look in to an AIP (auto-immune Paleo) diet? There are several resources out there that might be a good jumping off point for you. Maybe also look in to a Vegetarian Diet, not necessarily to eat that way, but for some additional ideas as to how to get additional protein in to your diet since you seem to be most limited with those choices. Good luck. Several years ago I had to do a strict elimination diet in order to determine what foods I was reacting to and it was hard.8
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Hi Libby 283. The best persons to advise you about your post allergy diet is the person who diagnosed you. I assume you were diagnosed and not self asserting you react to the list of foods you mention, some do.
I lived with intolerance to salicylate and histamine the first, a natural chemical produced by many most plants to protect themselves from moulds and mildews, which could cover cocoanut, palm oil and even strawberries on your list. For me it ruled out herbs spices, and most veg and fruits. Histamine is caused by the degenerative process and some histamine intolerants are unable to eat meats which have been hung needing it as fresh as possible, histamine is not proud it can be found on most foods another problem with histamine is anything cooked and stored in a fridge will still develop histamine. Restricting your diet will cause vitamin and mineral deficiencies unless you are able to find a good vitamin and mineral supplement, in my experience this compounds all problems.
The principal difference between allergies which can carry you off and intolerances is intolerances are usually incredibly inconvenient but do not threaten ones life though they can be debilitating. There can be ways round intolerances, improving your microbiome and for food groups using the appropriate digestive enzymes.
It would seem you are able to eat rice, fruits and veg do not seem to be an issue. How about trying a vegetarian diet, or even vegan if you have no liking for standard dairy. (I'm amazed you do not have a diary reaction to either the proteins or sugar) Pulses, beans peas and the like are good foods for protein thought they may be too calorific for you. I did come across a vegetarian keto diet if that might be of interest.
I hope you can find a way out of this particular hole. Wishing you all the very best.6 -
I suggest you start preparing more food at home. Stock your freezer with foods you can eat, and keep a bagged salad ready.
Bacon is made from pork. No BLT for you.
Finding proteins you can eat with these restrictions is going to be difficult.
There’s dairy and the vegetable proteins such as tofu and seitan. This is my very favourite way to prepare tofu.
https://pin.it/4cre4vgecwzr3r
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WholeFoods4Lyfe wrote: »That seems very restrictive. Are they all genuine allergies where you have an allergic reaction to the protein? Perhaps look in to an AIP (auto-immune Paleo) diet? There are several resources out there that might be a good jumping off point for you. Maybe also look in to a Vegetarian Diet, not necessarily to eat that way, but for some additional ideas as to how to get additional protein in to your diet since you seem to be most limited with those choices. Good luck. Several years ago I had to do a strict elimination diet in order to determine what foods I was reacting to and it was hard.
I have an allergic reaction of tingly, swollen tongue, throat closing and hives. The hives are no joke. I can live with the tingly tongue... but the reactions are getting worse with age.
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I suggest you start preparing more food at home. Stock your freezer with foods you can eat, and keep a bagged salad ready.
Bacon is made from pork. No BLT for you.
Finding proteins you can eat with these restrictions is going to be difficult.
There’s dairy and the vegetable proteins such as tofu and seitan. This is my very favourite way to prepare tofu.
https://pin.it/4cre4vgecwzr3r
I am ok with bacon. Most bagged salads with toppings, have egg or one of the other allergens. I looked at the grocery store for 20 minutes this morning to find a salad. If they didn’t have egg, it was nuts or turkey.
I don’t cook and mostly on the go, so eating on the go is necessary. I am away from house for 12-15 hours at a time.0 -
WholeFoods4Lyfe wrote: »That seems very restrictive. Are they all genuine allergies where you have an allergic reaction to the protein? Perhaps look in to an AIP (auto-immune Paleo) diet? There are several resources out there that might be a good jumping off point for you. Maybe also look in to a Vegetarian Diet, not necessarily to eat that way, but for some additional ideas as to how to get additional protein in to your diet since you seem to be most limited with those choices. Good luck. Several years ago I had to do a strict elimination diet in order to determine what foods I was reacting to and it was hard.
I have an allergic reaction of tingly, swollen tongue, throat closing and hives. The hives are no joke. I can live with the tingly tongue... but the reactions are getting worse with age.
Thanks for responding. The reason that I ask is because things like Palm Oil can be hidden in more foods than you think and can be very difficult to navigate. With them all being a true allergy, would it be possible for you to cook at home more? Unfortunately, there are very few restaurants that are willing to guarantee that their foods are allergen free as it would be a huge liability issue for them.4 -
as a person who loves potatoes, I have found that celeriac is an excellent alternative. that said, if you are pollen sensitive then you may find it a problem too, however at least its not part of the nightshade family, which potatoes are and probably your problem area.
meat ideas. duck, emu, ostrich, kangaroo, rabbit, venison. If you don't like steak do you like other ways of preparing beef? Like minced / ground (burgers, meatballs etc)
Is it all fish you can't have or just shell fish?1 -
I suggest you start preparing more food at home. Stock your freezer with foods you can eat, and keep a bagged salad ready.
Bacon is made from pork. No BLT for you.
Finding proteins you can eat with these restrictions is going to be difficult.
There’s dairy and the vegetable proteins such as tofu and seitan. This is my very favourite way to prepare tofu.
https://pin.it/4cre4vgecwzr3r
I am ok with bacon. Most bagged salads with toppings, have egg or one of the other allergens. I looked at the grocery store for 20 minutes this morning to find a salad. If they didn’t have egg, it was nuts or turkey.
I don’t cook and mostly on the go, so eating on the go is necessary. I am away from house for 12-15 hours at a time.
In this case the pre-packaged salads probably aren't going to work for you so buy the bagged lettuce if it's easier for you and then buy the toppings separately that you can eat.12 -
I don’t cook and mostly on the go, so eating on the go is necessary. I am away from house for 12-15 hours at a time.
You must have been typing this post as I was composing my last one.
a hard truth may be that if you are developing more severe allergies you may just have to start cooking. I know it's neither easy nor convenient, but ... allergies. Sorry. My sister has a gluten intolerance that has frankly got worse with age, to the point she can rarely eat outside the home these days, and even brought a bag of snacks to her own daughters wedding reception last month.
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WholeFoods4Lyfe wrote: »That seems very restrictive. Are they all genuine allergies where you have an allergic reaction to the protein? Perhaps look in to an AIP (auto-immune Paleo) diet? There are several resources out there that might be a good jumping off point for you. Maybe also look in to a Vegetarian Diet, not necessarily to eat that way, but for some additional ideas as to how to get additional protein in to your diet since you seem to be most limited with those choices. Good luck. Several years ago I had to do a strict elimination diet in order to determine what foods I was reacting to and it was hard.
I have an allergic reaction of tingly, swollen tongue, throat closing and hives. The hives are no joke. I can live with the tingly tongue... but the reactions are getting worse with age.
It's still not clear - have you been to a doctor about this? Getting this properly diagnosed could help you to drill down on what exactly it is you are allergic to, how best to avoid it, and open up the possibility there may be some way to treat it. It might also allow you to get referred to an RD who could further help you figure out how to eat a healthy and calorie-controlled diet considering your issues.
Having said that, it's an unfortunate fact of life that for many people with dietary restrictions, preparing your own food often becomes a necessity. That might be something you need to put some thought and strategizing into.12 -
Sometimes lifestyle issues require lifestyle changes. Hubby and I had to move to deal with his pain (he can't drive, so now he walks to work). Look at why you are out of the house so much (is it all work or is some social?) and what adjustments you can make.
Try packing your food into a cooler before you leave the house. Look for a microwave so that you can have some hot meals.
Look to vegetarians for protein options, such as cheese and beans.
Look to vegans for alternatives without eggs, such as vegan mayo.
Look for vegetarian and vegan restaurants that are more likely to have options for you.
Find a protein bar or shake to have on hand as a fall back when you get into a situation where you can't find something appropriate to eat.10 -
concordancia wrote: »...Look to vegans for alternatives without eggs, such as vegan mayo...
I'm not vegan, but I
Vegenaise. It tastes better than regular mayo, IMO, and lots of stores carry it. Try it. I don't think you'll be disappointed. I've used it as mayo, and to make all sorts of creamy dressings.
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I'm wondering if you have actually taken medical advice. I've been considering your situation in the light of the additional information you have given. Mostly its the idea your issues are progressive. "Your reactions becoming worse with age".
I wonder if you could possibly be b 12 deficient, b12 is involved in so many pf our bodies processes, including immunity. Its a weird vitamin in that it requires a specific enzyme or something to encase in in the mouth to carry it in your saliva to the particular point in the digestive tract for it to be absorbed. I preferer achieving medical confirmation of something like this because even though there are some over the counter pills for putting under the tongue, ones containing the specific enzyme or what ever are less common and can be prescription only. Most persons who are able to prove by blood test that they are b12 deficient will be offered injections by their doctors. this is way to complicated to play with. (when I could not get my prescription ones the sublingual ones did absolutely nothing for me)
I've also come across oral allergy in my past reading, I think it is more from pollen protein rather than conventional meats. Something else which needs deeper investigation rather than acceptance. Good luck.0 -
concordancia wrote: »Sometimes lifestyle issues require lifestyle changes. Hubby and I had to move to deal with his pain (he can't drive, so now he walks to work). Look at why you are out of the house so much (is it all work or is some social?) and what adjustments you can make.
Try packing your food into a cooler before you leave the house. Look for a microwave so that you can have some hot meals.
Look to vegetarians for protein options, such as cheese and beans.
Look to vegans for alternatives without eggs, such as vegan mayo.
Look for vegetarian and vegan restaurants that are more likely to have options for you.
Find a protein bar or shake to have on hand as a fall back when you get into a situation where you can't find something appropriate to eat.
Great tips.
@Libby283 when I worked longer hours M-F, I spent a few hours on Sunday making lunches and dinners for the work week.
You could use Vegenaise to make chicken salad.
There are so many ways to make chicken - I never get sick of it - I subscribe to allrecipes.com and America's Test Kitchen emails and am always getting new recipes. Today I received these; can't wait to try them!
https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/244632/turkish-chicken-kebabs/
https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/25445/key-west-chicken/
So what I would do when I meal prepped was make both chicken recipes on Sunday, plus something to complete the meal. I think rice for the Turkish chicken and salad for the Key West Chicken. (When prepping salads ahead of time store wet and dry ingredients separately.)4 -
sytchequeen wrote: »as a person who loves potatoes, I have found that celeriac is an excellent alternative. that said, if you are pollen sensitive then you may find it a problem too, however at least its not part of the nightshade family, which potatoes are and probably your problem area.
meat ideas. duck, emu, ostrich, kangaroo, rabbit, venison. If you don't like steak do you like other ways of preparing beef? Like minced / ground (burgers, meatballs etc)
Is it all fish you can't have or just shell fish?
I eat ground beef, like burgers. I don’t eat any of those other meats. I have never been a meat eater.
As of right now, I can eat crab and shrimp. I eat them often.
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WholeFoods4Lyfe wrote: »That seems very restrictive. Are they all genuine allergies where you have an allergic reaction to the protein? Perhaps look in to an AIP (auto-immune Paleo) diet? There are several resources out there that might be a good jumping off point for you. Maybe also look in to a Vegetarian Diet, not necessarily to eat that way, but for some additional ideas as to how to get additional protein in to your diet since you seem to be most limited with those choices. Good luck. Several years ago I had to do a strict elimination diet in order to determine what foods I was reacting to and it was hard.
I have an allergic reaction of tingly, swollen tongue, throat closing and hives. The hives are no joke. I can live with the tingly tongue... but the reactions are getting worse with age.
It's still not clear - have you been to a doctor about this? Getting this properly diagnosed could help you to drill down on what exactly it is you are allergic to, how best to avoid it, and open up the possibility there may be some way to treat it. It might also allow you to get referred to an RD who could further help you figure out how to eat a healthy and calorie-controlled diet considering your issues.
Having said that, it's an unfortunate fact of life that for many people with dietary restrictions, preparing your own food often becomes a necessity. That might be something you need to put some thought and strategizing into.
The new allergies are confirmed by an allergist. I go back for additional testing next month.
So far with cutting out eggs and potatoes, no new hives have shown up.concordancia wrote: »...Look to vegans for alternatives without eggs, such as vegan mayo...
I'm not vegan, but I Vegenaise. It tastes better than regular mayo, IMO, and lots of stores carry it. Try it. I don't think you'll be disappointed. I've used it as mayo, and to make all sorts of creamy dressings.
I will try this.
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I eat out most of the time so it is something I have to work out. Even work, we all order lunch daily.1
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That’s a lot of allergies. Have you been formerly diagnosed by a medical professional? It’s entirely possible that your allergen list is much shorter. I say this for two reasons-
1. If you were allergic to pork you would not be able to eat bacon either. Bacon is a cut of pork.
2. I thought I had developed multiple allergies and sensitivities after my son was born. I started developing these awful hives that itches but burned and blistered when scratched. It seemed like I ate something different every day and would still get them. After medical testing I found out it was a wheat germ allergy-one thing that is a common additive in almost all convenience foods6 -
I assume you're not out 12-15 hours EVERY day. Could you make up a big salad that will last for the next few days? Try things like quinoa or couscous, different salad vegetables, beetroot, thinly sliced red cabbage, grated carrot, roasted peppers and antipasti items such as artichoke or grilled courgette in addition to the usual lettuce, cucumber, tomato & radish. You can then take a portion in a salad box and top it with cheese, chicken, crab or prawns/shrimp. I'm intolerant to multiple things and can't have mayo; I quite happily have my salads dry if I've got things like beetroot in it or I add a lemon/oil dressing.
Also consider making a big curry (chicken, beef or prawn), a bolognese, a big macaroni cheese (to which you can add chopped onion, mushroom, tomato, bacon or ham if you can and some herbs) and maybe do a big stirfry. I pad everything out with loads of vegetables. Bag or carton each up into portions for ready-made evening meals that can be frozen. I typically cook enough of each for 4-6 meals and all I need to do when I get home is cook some rice (although I do that in bulk and freeze it in small portions too) or pasta.1 -
As someone that also has a whole host of food allergies, I looked to Daily Harvest for some grab & go options. I prepare most of my food at home, but these give me great options for travel work days or visits to the in-laws!0
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Food allergies are the devil for sure. I'm allergic to seeds and nuts and have organic allergy syndrome to fruits and vegetables making me sick, bloated and red.1
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When I suggested bagged salad I was referring to all veggies; skip the toppings.
With all your allergies you just won’t be able to trust prepared foods. Which leaves home cooking or starving.
You can save time by prepping your chicken all at once or just get the pre-roasted chicken.
Alternatives to potatoes, and yes I know they aren’t the same thing, include rice and pasta.4 -
That’s a lot of allergies. Have you been formerly diagnosed by a medical professional? It’s entirely possible that your allergen list is much shorter. I say this for two reasons-
1. If you were allergic to pork you would not be able to eat bacon either. Bacon is a cut of pork.
2. I thought I had developed multiple allergies and sensitivities after my son was born. I started developing these awful hives that itches but burned and blistered when scratched. It seemed like I ate something different every day and would still get them. After medical testing I found out it was a wheat germ allergy-one thing that is a common additive in almost all convenience foods
I am not allergic to pork, I don’t like pork chops. I do eat bacon, with no issues.
I have been formally diagnosed by an allergist.As someone that also has a whole host of food allergies, I looked to Daily Harvest for some grab & go options. I prepare most of my food at home, but these give me great options for travel work days or visits to the in-laws!
I will check Daily Harvest out. Thank you
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Since you aren’t allergic to pork, you can try ham as an alternative to chicken. Since you mentioned you are getting bored of chicken.5
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Strudders67 wrote: »I assume you're not out 12-15 hours EVERY day. Could you make up a big salad that will last for the next few days? Try things like quinoa or couscous, different salad vegetables, beetroot, thinly sliced red cabbage, grated carrot, roasted peppers and antipasti items such as artichoke or grilled courgette in addition to the usual lettuce, cucumber, tomato & radish. You can then take a portion in a salad box and top it with cheese, chicken, crab or prawns/shrimp. I'm intolerant to multiple things and can't have mayo; I quite happily have my salads dry if I've got things like beetroot in it or I add a lemon/oil dressing.
Also consider making a big curry (chicken, beef or prawn), a bolognese, a big macaroni cheese (to which you can add chopped onion, mushroom, tomato, bacon or ham if you can and some herbs) and maybe do a big stirfry. I pad everything out with loads of vegetables. Bag or carton each up into portions for ready-made evening meals that can be frozen. I typically cook enough of each for 4-6 meals and all I need to do when I get home is cook some rice (although I do that in bulk and freeze it in small portions too) or pasta.
Pasta generally has egg. Curry has coconut...
I really dislike salads all the time. I can shovel the lettuce down if mixed with stuff like egg, bacon, chicken salad.. this has really put a huge damper on my eating.
I am very much a burger, fries, any potato type of person. I ate eggs every day until Monday.2 -
When I suggested bagged salad I was referring to all veggies; skip the toppings.
With all your allergies you just won’t be able to trust prepared foods. Which leaves home cooking or starving.
You can save time by prepping your chicken all at once or just get the pre-roasted chicken.
Alternatives to potatoes, and yes I know they aren’t the same thing, include rice and pasta.
And that is the issue. I just don’t like all veggies... and I am picky on top of the allergies.
Pasta is made with eggs. I feel like I am being forced to become vegan... I live in the middle of farm country. Vegan is not our way of life.
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I eat ham for Christmas dinner. I am just not a big fan. It’s not a meat I get excited for. Surprisingly, a local Chinese restaurant made my lunch to accommodate my allergies. That worked well. Pizza is being delivered to the pool tonight. I had mango yogurt for breakfast.Since you aren’t allergic to pork, you can try ham as an alternative to chicken. Since you mentioned you are getting bored of chicken.
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With that many allergies, you really need to be less fussy with the foods that you can eat and you need to prepare more food from home. There really aren't that many alternatives because you are so restricted otherwise.14
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I have a few new food allergies to work around. I also mostly eat out. Help! I am struggling to find food I can eat. I had a BLT sandwich with no mayo for dinner.
I can’t have egg, white potatoes, coconut, palm oil, turkey, lamb, pork, strawberries, fish or nuts. I dislike steak and get tired of chicken.
I liked salad with toppings like egg, or chicken salad which are now a no go.
Anyone have suggestions of what I can eat?
Sympathy. I have a lot of allergies as well and it's a right pain, yeah?
And...I'm gonna pass on some information that is really important to know, for your future decisions re: meals and food choices. So, please bear with me. :-)
Obviously, your body is releasing histamine when you have an allergic reaction, and then you get symptoms, yeah? What it helps to understand is that the body releases histamine all the time for normal bodily functioning. Histamine is used to elevate your heart rate when you are exercising, startled, or stressed, for example. It's also used in digestion and a number of other things.
So basically, your body releases histamine all the time, with no symptoms or problems at all. A simplified explanation is that you can view your body's histamine levels as a bucket. Histamine in the bucket doesn't cause allergy symptoms. But if the histamine level gets high enough to overflow? (hits your threshold) Then you start having allergy symptoms and life sucks.
The reason this matters to you right now is because you CAN have a reaction to food WITHOUT hives or outward symptoms. If the allergic reaction is small, with a little histamine released (but not a lot), it might make the 'bucket' fuller, but it doesn't always have to overflow the bucket and cause symptoms.
However, the fuller your bucket it, the easier it is to 'overflow' and cause more severe symptoms. So even though you may be able to eat food that can be cross-contaminated - like at a restaurant or pre-made food from equipment lines that don't have special anti-cross-contamination cleaning protocols- and you don't notice symptoms? If it HAS your allergens, even if just from cross-contamination, it's likely that your histamine level is elevated as a result. And more histamine in the bucket means it takes less histamine to overflow and cause symptoms.
In other words, the less careful you are to avoid your allergens, the more problems you are likely to have with future allergens later that day, the next day - basically, until your histamine levels drop again. :-(
I understand that your life right now involves a lot of eating out, or people in the office ordering in, and a lot of time working outside the house that doesn't allow for a lot of cooking time at home. Which means, well, life sucks, in terms of allergies. Because with allergies, it's pretty difficult to avoid all of them (cross-contamination included) at any restaurant, or in pre-made foods. Restaurants are just not able to fully avoid many allergens with the set up that they have. Allergens absolutely can remain in food processing equipment after they are cleaned (there are certain protocols to eliminate as much of the proteins from equipment as possible, but this is more expensive than normal cleaning protocols, so it isn't always used.).
And that means - you are either going to have to making more food at home and get used to taking it with you all the time (in coolers, in fridges, in small bento or lunch boxes in restaurants), or you are going to have to accept getting allergic reactions more frequently. :-( Which absolutely, utterly sucks. But that's pretty much the reality. There will be some foods you can find that are pre-made that may be allergen free for you. There will never be a restaurant meal that you can have that will not carry a risk. Sometimes it'll be okay, sometimes it won't, and it depends on the restaurant, the staff that day, and so on.
Some folks feel the convenience far outweighs the risk, some don't. Most people I know make the decision based on how bad their symptoms are if they have a reaction, you know? Especially if a reaction might impact their job, their ability to care for their kids, their ability to drive, or other important parts of their life.
Although good news for eating out, at least in terms of social experience - I have called ahead to restaurants that we are planning to go to, and if you frame it right, they will usually let you bring your own food in. I usually just say, 'my group is planning to eat at your restaurant, but while the rest of the group will be eating off your menu, I have so many food allergies that I am not able to eat the food you prepare. Could I bring a small lunchbox with my own food to eat in your restaurant?' As long as it's clear that there will be numerous paying customers who will be there along with you (who otherwise obviously would not be, as one assumes they would go with you to someplace you CAN bring food into), the restaurant is usually fine with it. Not always, but usually, in my experience.
So as to the question of what you can eat. First, if you are trying to avoid cross-contamination, see if you can find any groups or lists online (from patients, not medical sites) of cross-contamination risks. Because sadly, doctors are pants at knowing what foods are safe. A lot of food processing these days can introduce ingredients derived from our allergens, or cross-contaminated with them, and doctors keep up on medical information, but NOT on current food processing practices.
People who get sick off the allergens tend to be much more up to date. Although for palm oil, there are so many ecological concerns for it that you can find some good lists of what you'll need to be careful of from boycott lists, for that.
as an example of some things doctors might not know...
Depending on your coconut sensitivity, you may need to be cautious of water filters - many of them used to use coconut fibers as a common part of charcoal filters. Most folks don't have a problem, but I know of one child who was so sensitive that she would react - took them years to figure out why she reacted to water so often. Also, almost every single hygiene cleaning soap/shampoo/body wash contains a coconut derivative. If it foams, there are good odds it has coconut. If you ever get soap/shampoo in your mouth during the shower, you'll be wanting to consider this, potentially.
nuts - you may need to be cautious about peanuts, dried fruit, seeds (sunflower, for ex), and potentially wheat. Wheat, nuts, seeds, peanuts, and/or dried fruits are quite frequently processed on the same lines, for some reason. cross-contamination is not uncommon.
As for recipes you could have - rice is a good base for dishes. They DO have some pre-made bowls of rice in some asian sections of the grocery store that you can nuke to prepare. Then you can get (or make) sauces plus a few veggies or meat to add to the rice and have as a meal.
Other good carb bases for meals can be plantains (some nice Cuban dishes that have plantains, black beans, rice, and fruit and veg), celeriac, cauliflower rice (cauliflower shredded small to use as rice), injera bread (Ethiopian teff based flat bread that you wrap around lentil and meat dishes - it's a little like a crepe crossed with sourdough bread), socca (chickpea based French flatbread), other root veggies that are mashed or fried (so not potato, but rutabaga, turnip, sweet potato, etc...), or grains (sorghum, millet, and corn grits make a good base for savory foods).
I'd look at caribbean foods if you are doing the shellfish thing - lots of nice recipes that can have some interesting ingredients with fruit and beans and such. Asian foods may have some nice shellfish or vegetarian protein (soy is still okay, yeah? - fried tofu can be tasty, with the right sauce). Making a bento could be easy to take with you, and potentially nice to eat.
I know that nothing above is listed as foods you can purchase premade - I honestly don't know of many pre-made foods that would qualify for what you need. Life as someone with allergies is simply much more difficult in terms of acquiring food, especially if you require food that has less work. Because most of the food that is pre-made, so would be less work, has allergens that will make you react (the palm oil is going to be one of the big killers for you, honestly). A lot of folks with a lot of allergies, that I know, do that sort of 1 week food prep stuff. Like, you take one day a week and pre-chop, pre-cook the meals for the whole week, so you have no cooking to do the rest of the week. There are a lot of recipes out there for that type of thing.
Again - allergies suck, and it's far more work to cope with them, sigh. :-(
The one thing, if you have the money for it, might be looking for super-organic, eco-conscious brands for pre-made foods. They'll be 2-4 times more expensive than the same food from other brands, but they are less likely to have palm oil, at least. Vegan foods wouldn't have the meat or eggs, either. Peanuts, if you can find some that aren't nut contaminated, can be a good protein source (some folks buy whole, unshelled peanuts, wash with soap and water and shell themselves, but it's a LOT of work just to have peanuts), but I honestly think tofu would be more likely to be tolerable and easier to buy and use, you know?
Some chickpea based Greek foods, like falafel and hummus, might be okay if you find the right brands, but I haven't looked at them lately (I have to make my own to avoid my allergens).
I wish you good luck. I CAN say that it gets easier. You get used to bringing food all the time, pre-making foods a lot, calling restaurants, reading labels, and so on. It never gets as easy as it used to be, but it just becomes part of your regular life, so it doesn't feel as overwhelming anymore, you know? (if it feels overwhelming at all right now, of course).
And one last thing - if you manage to NOT get your allergens for a couple weeks? It is freaking amazing how much BETTER you feel. So many little things can be allergies - like you are suddenly less tired so you have more energy, sleeping better, have less congestions, or less pain because you have less inflammation. It's amazing how many little crappy things in life turn out to be due to small allergic reactions all the time.6 -
When I suggested bagged salad I was referring to all veggies; skip the toppings.
With all your allergies you just won’t be able to trust prepared foods. Which leaves home cooking or starving.
You can save time by prepping your chicken all at once or just get the pre-roasted chicken.
Alternatives to potatoes, and yes I know they aren’t the same thing, include rice and pasta.
And that is the issue. I just don’t like all veggies... and I am picky on top of the allergies.
Pasta is made with eggs. I feel like I am being forced to become vegan... I live in the middle of farm country. Vegan is not our way of life.
Most pasta is NOT made with eggs. Generally only the sort labeled as egg noodles contains eggs. Typically spaghetti, penne, etc. does not contain eggs.
And feeling like you're being forced isn't helpful with respect to the limitations that are due to allergies isn't helpful -- self-pity isn't going to improve your situation. And with respect to the limitations that are due to your own preferences -- nobody is forcing those on you.12
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