When you get diagnosed with a food allergy or an intolerance to a certain food group it can seem like you’re options for meals are significantly reduced. For a while, it is tough going and it can be difficult to get your head around how to make adjustments in order to ensure that you are eating well and maintaining a balanced diet and this can be a particularly difficult struggle and stressful especially when trying to navigate this winter’s seasonal holidays and eating as part for a social setting.
The great thing is that now there is a wide range of different products available that can support these allergies and intolerances and still enable you to have a broad and varied diet all it takes is some creativity a little bit of research and careful planning in advance and you will be able to ensure that you’re still get able to enjoy the similar foods to what you’re a previously albeit without the reactions that the intolerance brings.
Research Is Key
After being diagnosed with intolerance, you are undertaking is a new venture. It can be really daunting when you are having to make decisions and change your normal eating routine and favourite meal staples. This is then made even tougher when visiting the grocery store and are unsure as to which products you can buy and which you cannot. It can be a minefield, to begin with.
In these instances, it is recommended to carry out some research in order to make decisions in advance on the meals you will be eating so that you can plan ahead and understand what ingredients are needed and what items you will be able to purchase to ensure that your dietary requirements are being met and maintained. For example, if you’ve got a gluten intolerance you can still go ahead and learn how to make pasta puttanesca at home and enjoy a meal with your whole family, just without the gluten parts being included.
Keep A Balanced Diet
Another key concern that you may have initially, is over how you will be able to maintain a balanced diet. When you have a food intolerance you are in essence removing a certain food group out of your diet completely. With that in mind, it is really important that you still receive a balanced diet and you are feeding your body with all of the necessary nutrients and vitamins it requires to function properly.
When planning your meals it is a help to write down what food groups are being included from protein, carbohydrates, fat, vitamins, minerals and water. From that list, you will be able to easily identify if any specific food groups are being missed or you are lacking the optimum amounts. With this knowledge of what extra’s your body needs you will then be able to research and find alternative food that you are able to eat and substitute them with or take supplements to fill the void.
If you are finding yourself struggle there is a wealth of information online with alternative foods and allergy friendly recipes.
