Linda's Free & Easy Recipes for Dairy, Wheat & Gluten Intolerances

During the summer of 2003 I was diagnosed with certain allergies.  I had already identified some foods which were upsetting my system but I decided to visit a dietician in order to get the official version and find out if there were any other food types I should perhaps be wary of.  For example, I knew that lamb was upsetting me; within about ten minutes of eating lamb I was bloated and my stomach was in severe pain.  But when I walked out of the dietician’s office that morning I thought “My God, what on earth am I going to live on”?  I had visions of boiled rice and chicken for the rest of my life.  The dietician had identified allergies to dairy, monosodium glutamate and gluten.  She also identified beer and tobacco and intolerances to wheat, peppers and apples.

The dietician did not give me any advice as to what I could do about this or what else I could eat, but suggested supplements to replace the vitamins I might be missing. Similarly, my doctor noted the dietician’s findings and diagnosed Irritable Bowel Syndrome, prescribing tablets to alleviate some of the symptoms.  Whilst my experience of these professionals may not be typical, I felt that I had to find out more for myself.

As I began to look at food labelling more carefully, I began to realise that I could substitute dairy foods such as cheese and milk with goat’s or sheep’s products.  I can just see your nose screwing up now at the thought of goat’s milk.  But honestly, you really cannot tell the difference nowadays.  I am often asked the question; does your milk smell and taste of goat?  My reply to that is does your milk smell and taste of cow?

I also substitute ordinary plain flour which contains wheat with wheat free plain flour, which can now be obtained easily from supermarkets and wherever possible avoid products containing gluten.

I started looking for recipes which were free from these products, but could not find many which were free from all of the above.

I decided that there must be other people out in the big wide world just like myself, and have since found many in my situation, and that is what has inspired me to write this recipe book – to enable me to help others with similar problems. The recipes are mostly ordinary, everyday meals – although they can be used for special occasions as well.

It’s wonderful being able to eat ordinary food and not feel lethargic, bloated or sick before, during or after a meal.  I still miss a roast lamb on a Sunday, but it’s worth it to not feel ill.  I still occasionally treat myself to certain products with wheat – the odd slice of toast or teacake, but I’m careful not to overdo it.

If you only have an allergy towards wheat and not dairy, then please by all means use dairy products in these recipes.  None of these recipes are set in stone; you can substitute whatever you want.  I just found that this works for me.

I recently caught up with a friend after 6 years and when offering her a coffee discovered that she is also allergic to dairy and wheat – indeed many of her symptoms are very similar to mine.  She also has difficulty in finding suitable recipes, and this has reinforced my determination to produce a simple recipe book for others in our situation.

My book is now published entitled "Free & Easy Recipes" and can be ordered by clicking the Add To Cart Link.  It contains these recipes and many more.  Please contact me on the email link below at any time. book.