I want to thank William for the gluten reminder.  My daughter and I have wheat allergies, which as he pointed out are very different to a gluten allergy.  One nice thing about Blue Chip is that they offer oat flour and mixes with oats that are gluten-free.  The oats they process are manufactured in a gluten-free environment. 

One of the hardest parts of food allergies is knowing what you can eat.  When I first learned about my wheat allergy, there was a lot of confusion.  Some told me to stay away from everything with flour.  I ate only rice.  In fact, I ate way too much white rice and processed sugar because they were far from wheat.  They made me very sick.  It is important to understand your limits and restrictions when it comes to food allergies.  Ask lots of questions until you are sure. 

Listen to your body.  It will tell you what you need to know.  Keep a food journal and take note of when you feel good and when you don’t.  What personal symptoms of discomfort do you receive when eating something unacceptable for you?  Recognize the way you feel.  Make a list of options, have a plan.  The more you feel you can eat, the less tempted you will be to eat something you know will be harmful or bring discomfort.

For our family, we try to keep things simple.  We eat whole grains, various forms of protein,  and lots of fresh fruit and vegetables.  We stay away from fast food, most restaurants, and processed food.  

Find out your limitations, ask questions, do your research.  William left some great resources in the comment section of the previous food allergy post.  Feel comfortable about your decisions and do what works best for you and yours.  No, it’s not an easy journey, but it is soo worth it!