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Have you been diagnosed with food allergies, or are you having trouble managing food allergies in your family? Are you completely overwhelmed by what to buy when you grocery shop? This allergy-free shopping guide will help. I'm here to ease your stress. Keep reading to find out more.
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When I first got diagnosed with multiple food allergies I was completely overwhelmed and stressed. I didn't know what to eat, where to shop, or how to read a label for food allergies. Read my Unexpected Journey with Allergies HERE.
Eating allergy-free requires many changes, but I've got you covered. Do you have food allergies yourself? Do your children have food allergies, or are you a caregiver for someone with food allergies? This post on allergy-free shopping is for you.
Let's start with some basic definitions. With so many terms used interchangeably regarding food allergies, this will help to clear things up.
Allergy-free means that a product/food is free of the top 9 allergens (dairy, eggs, fish, peanut, sesame, shellfish, soy, tree nuts - including coconut, wheat) as recognized by the FDA. Allergy-free is also known as "Allergy-Safe", and includes avoiding cross-contamination. Many products will have a statement indicating cross-contamination is possible. Statements such as "may contain...soy, wheat, tree nuts, etc." are on labels. This indicates the product/food is not completely allergy-free.
Allergy-friendly is also a term used a lot with regard to food allergies. Allergy-friendly means being aware of others' food allergies and keeping them safe from those allergies. It means a person is knowledgeable about food allergies and wants to help others. An example is contacting a person you know with food allergies coming to your gathering before the event and asking them what you should make for them.
The most important thing to remember is allergy-friendly may NOT necessarily mean allergy-free, even though these terms are used interchangeably.
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This is sometimes a daunting process. Here are a few tips to help.
If you see these ingredients listed anywhere on a food label, it means the allergen is present.
PLEASE NOTE: This list merely offers suggestions and helpful tips. Be sure to read all labels carefully before sharing any foods mentioned in this post with someone with a food allergy.
The foods on this list are usually naturally allergy-free but remember to read labels carefully. Many times, natural flavorings or other ingredients are added and are NOT allergy-free.
PLEASE NOTE: These brands offer some allergy-free products. NOT all products by these manufacturers are allergy-free. This list merely offers suggestions and helpful tips.
Be sure to read all labels carefully before sharing any foods mentioned in this post with someone with a food allergy.
I suggest this flour, Bob's Red Mill Gluten-Free 1 to 1 Baking Flour (paid Amazon link).
I recommend this flour, King Arthur Measure for Measure Gluten-Free Flour (paid Amazon link).
NOTE: Most products from this brand contain eggs.
If you like this post read How to Meal Plan.
Leave a comment and let me know what other information will help you. I'm here to listen and help.
Blessings, Laura xo