Food 180 - Forced Elimination Diet

I find the title of my blog ironic now as I, loving all things food, have had to eliminate the top 8 allergens from my diet for my son.

I love food. I love to travel for many reasons but especially so I can try new foods. I love dessert, and I absolutely love finding new dives around town and eating out to test my taste buds. I love baking, too. I love baking to de-stress and to of course eat whatever I've concocted quickly in my kitchen before my toddler spies the sweet sin I've devoured. I love eating with people. I have quickly realized that 90% of my get-togethers with friends and family revolve around some type of food or caffeinated/creamy/drink. So to say this diet is difficult is an understatement. There are no words...


All this to say I'm happy. My perspective has changed on food, social gatherings, overall health, and really understanding my body. But believe me...when I'm done nursing my son, you better believe I'll be eating some gourmet pizza, putting the real cream in my coffee, and maybe even eating some fried chicken (I'm creating a list of all of the foods and restaurants I miss...)

With all of this said, I would like to share some foods that I've found are delicious (even without butter or cream or peanut butter....) and relatively easy and free of the top 8 allergens!!

So if your are a nursing momma trying to eliminate foods for your baby, trying to lose weight (which I have!!), or just trying to be healthy, hopefully my food ideas will help or at least be a start for you! You can do this!!

**Please make sure if you have or are cooking for someone with a serious allergy that you read all ingredient lists on products and do your own research! Sometimes I slip up and have soybean oil, etc. I'm eating this way for my son who seems to have a mild allergy and it's only been 3 months.

Elimination Diet - Top 8 Allergens

Dairy

Soy

Eggs

Peanuts 

Tree Nuts

Shellfish

Fish

Wheat

My diet is essentially Fruits, Veggies, Meat, and Rice. I did get the ok to have beans, oatmeal, and quinoa and seeds so I can have Sunbutter - yay!

Products I love:

• Earth Balance Butter - tastes great when I'm needing a buttery taste to things
• Enjoy Life brand products - I love their chocolate chips for my banana oat cookies
• SO Delicious brand Coconut Milk unsweetened (other brands often have carrageenan added which I try to avoid, read here why)

Favorite Snacks:

sweet potatoes with cinnamon

fresh fruit

carrots and hummus

fruit leather

*banana oatmeal cookies - I make these all the time and I love them and it's only 3 ingredients! I'll post recipe soon! 

raisins

corn chips with salsa or hummus (Be careful with corn as it is becoming a more popular allergen)

Sunbutter (Sunflower Seed spread) on fruit or by spoon

Sliced Tomato, Avocado and Bacon

Favorite Meals:

Spaghetti Squash with Lemon Garlic Chicken

Taco Soup (w/o all of the packaged seasonings)

Spaghetti with Meat sauce using Rice Noodles or Spaghetti Squash

Rice with Sautéed onions and Sausage

Rice with Avocado, tomato, and Bacon

Flank Steak and Veggies

Pork Tenderloin w/ roasted broccoli and Quinoa

Grilled Chicken w/ roasted carrots

Chicken Tortilla Soup

Hamburger Salad

Greek Quinoa Salad

Bacon Wrapped Chicken tenders w/ green beans

Rice and Beans

Cornmeal Mush

Chicken Fajita's over Rice

Beef Chili over rice or baked potato

Zucchini Boats 

Recipe's I'm wanting to try soon: 

Savory Loaded Sweet Potato 

Sweet Potato & Black Bean Quinoa 

Desserts:

Banana Oatmeal Cookies

Sweet Potato w/ Cinnamon 

Enjoy Life Brand Cookies

Avocado Chocolate Mousse

Whipped Coconut Milk

Whipped Coconut Milk Chocolate Mousse

Fresh Fruit

Enjoy Life Brand Chocolate chips

S'Mores 

SO Delicious Brand Coconut Milk Ice Cream