AllergyFoodie is a blog written by me, Anu Rao. This is what I look like on most days – a toothy smile across my face…
I have an undergraduate degree in Food and Nutrition. My son was diagnosed with multiple food allergies when he was just 4 months old. Now he is 4 years old! He is allergic to all the 8 most common food allergens – eggs, wheat, soy, dairy, nuts, tree nuts, fish and shell fish. In addition, he has to avoid many other possible allergens like sesame seeds, chickpeas, peas, poppy seeds, sunflower seeds etc. With so many restrictions, it has been an everyday challenge to give him the required amount of healthy fats and protein in his diet and still ensure that food is fun. Thanks to my passion for all things culinary and an undying positive attitude – I have succeeded enormously! Most parties hosted by us (and we host a lot of them) are mostly allergen-friendly so I can enjoy the party without worrying about my son. The general feedback after these parties is – “If your son can eat all this, there is no reason for him to feel deprived”. My son’s friends are always over! One of the main attractions – the scrumptious food, of course!
However, getting information has been tough. Thanks to my passion for the field of nutrition and my son’s quality of life – I have spent hours researching to stay on top of issues like ingredient listings, new products, new recipes and substitute foods. This experience has helped me guide friends and family to circumvent the challenges of dealing with food allergies.
It is this this experience that has given me the impetus to put it in a blog.
When I am not busy being mom, I run a small company called Proxis Inc. which amongst other things dabbles in marketing organic, environment-friendly jewelry (bamboo and clay). Prior to my entrepreneurial venture, I worked in marketing and technology functions in various companies. I have a graduate degree in Marketing and am presently on the verge of completing another graduate degree from Rutgers University.
An impressive start.I wish the venture all success.I am sure a lot of worried parents will appreciate your efforts.it is really great to let others benefit from what you have learnt the hRD WAY
I will vouch for the positive attitude to everything including being a mom.
It is hard to please kids in the nutritous food department. Allergies add a whole new dimension to getting kids to eat.
I am sure many moms will be glad about your tips.
What a cool idea ! Wish you all the success.
This blog will surely get many hits from me to get recipes for delicious food you serve at your parties.
Thanks everyone for the encouragement and kind words!
Being a mom I know how hard it is to please children in the nutrition aspect of the diet.
Very informative and love to get more recipes and also learn more about food allergies ( what we didn’t learn in our undergrad in food and nutrtion)
Wish you all the luck and success!
Anu your website is really cool with the new banner!
Tried your Neer dosai…but its not the same as the one you made at my place!
Sunita – the recipe is exactly as I have been making it for years. The pan needs to be hot. Sprinkle a little water on the hot pan – if it splutters then it is just the right temperature to start making the dosas. Smear oil on the pan and then pour the batter.
Hey! Anu,
This is a great attempt to bring all parents facing the challenge together!
Keep up the good work and good luck!
I see the articles stacking up here. Keepup the good work.
Luck.
Wonderful job Anu I did not know so many allergies existed sure will pass on the link to the needy keep up the good work.
Thanks Rekha. i sincerely feel that my experience can be invaluable to many people.
Hi Anu
Nice to see you after..gosh 15 years.. i remember seeing you in BIT ranchi in 1994 ! you havent changed much ! Congratulations on your website .. your perseverance and passion has paid of !
arun
Yes, 15 years
Thanks for your kind words!
Lovely blog
Good job!
Thank you.
Hi Anu,
Uncle told me about this website last night and it is so cool. I checked out some of the recipes and will surely try them since I have heard a lot about how good a cook you are. This is a great initiative that you have started. Keep up the good work and good luck!
-deepu
Thanks Deepu. Do forward the link to anyone who might find it useful.
food allergy would be more likely to cause vomiting than a skin allergy would. When exhibiting any of these symptoms, it is important to speak with a doctor to determine what exactly is causing your allergic reaction so preventative measures can be taken.
That is so true. My son is allergic to eggs. The last time he had a trace amount of egg – he threw up within half an hour!
Hello Anu,
Just stumbled upon your website. You have a new fan and Good Luck with the blog!. It has been a challenge dealing with food allergies. My daughter, 5, is allergic to peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, and soy. My son is allergic to peanuts, tree nuts, dairy and soy. It is even more challenging dealing with people, especially family members, in regards to my children’s food needs. But with time and patience and a lot of educating it has gotten easier. I tend to find more resistance within our (Indian) community weth the exceptance of food allergies as a REAL issue. I am very happy to share with your plight.
Hi Mandy,
Thank you so much. Did your kids outgrow any allergy since birth? My son recently outgrew wheat and it was such an amazing day for us!
The good part is – now I know the difference between genuinely thoughtful people and those who render lip service – lol!
I so agree with the family members part!!! There have been multiple occasions when we have been invited over for a meal where we have been the only guests. Still there has not been a single item for Arjun – not even plain white rice
Would love it if you could share some allergy friendly recipes with us. It would benefit so many moms and food allergy sufferers world-wide.
Regards,
Anu
I just found your blog, and think it’s fantastic! I started my own blog on just the same topic, because I simply couldn’t find the info out there in one place. Now I see you’ve already done a lot of my work
I’m looking forward to your future posts!
Thank you for visiting my blog. As you rightly said – it is not easy cooking wholesome, allergy-friendly food.
I looked up your blog and the teff flour pizza sounds great If you are ever looking for a guest contributor on your blog – I would be thrilled to make a post. On the same note – would love for you to share any allergy-friendly input you might have to offer on Allergy Foodie.
Best Wishes,
Anu
Hi Anu –
A guest blog would be great! Let me build up my readership a bit more before we get onto that. Your donuts look fantastic – I was just thinking about making a recipe for them the other day! Love it!
Maggie
Sure! Keep in touch
I was really excited to see your blog. I can relate to you.I have a son who has multiple food allergies .He has outgrown a few but continues to be allergic to milk, eggs, tree nuts, coconut, lentils, chickpeas and peas.Good luck with your blog. I am sure it will help mums round the world.
Hi Veena,
Thank you for visiting my blog. How old is your son? Is he allergic to all the lentils?
I use quinoa flour too but dont manage to mask its distinctive flavor. Would love to hear from you on how you use this nutritious grain.
Regards,
Anu
Hi Anu,
The strong flavor of quinoa flour can be masked by adding fried black lentil powder(fry urad dhal either in thepan or in the microwave for about 5 min stirring every 2 min) or by adding rice flour to it.
My son loves this dish with rice:
1 cup rice
1 tablespoon quinoa grain
3/4 tsp cumin seeds
3/4 tsp pepper
1/4″ ginger root- grated
salt to taste
any allowed margarine/oil
2 tablespoons of black lentil powder
Fry cumin seeds, pepper and grated ginger in oil/margarine. Add these to rice and quinoa.A dd 3 cups of water.Cook in a pressure cooker.Once done, add the fried black lentil powder and salt to taste.
Veena – thank you so much. I am going to add this recipe to the main recipe page so that more people can benefit from the post.
Best regards,
Anu
Veena – a question…a couple of questions about the rice flour added to quinoa to mask the flavor:
1) Is it instead of the urad flour?
2) How much rice flour should be added?
Thanks,
Anu
Thanks for the idea ..This is the first I visited the Blog ..I will share regulally
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Regards,
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Hi Joanne,
Thank you for visiting AllergyFoodie and the interest you have shown. Would love to hear more about the content of the advertising. Could you send me more details at allergyfoodie@gmail.com?
Thanks.
Regards,
Anu