Dairy Free Soy Free

PHOTO: Thai Rice Paper wraps with leftover pork loin-also a great way to "reuse" leftover pork. All items including the sauce are soy/dairy free.

When my baby was 3 weeks old, she was diagnosed with an allergy to cow’s milk. Apparently, the proteins found in my breast milk (from Cow’s milk) irritated her little tummy. Shocked, but knowing that the health benefits outweighed the sacrifices, I was determined to continue nursing her. It is interesting to learn that there are many babies that have this issue, but grow out of it by their first birthday. My hope is that she will, too.

I thought that goat’s milk and goat’s milk cheese might be an alternative, but after doing some research, I discovered that a child may have a negative reaction to that as well, and she had a 50-60% chance of being allergic to soy. The only known alternative is Rice milk or “Almond drink.” Yes, both products are about as appealing as they sound.

My eating habits were turned upside down. For 2 weeks after her diagnosis, my breakfast consisted of oatmeal or cheerios with Rice milk. Lunch and dinner were not much more adventurous. Homemade meatloaf, steamed veggies or a salad (with oil and vinegar) was about all I would allow myself to eat. Nothing went into my mouth without checking the package to make certain the product does not contain a dairy or soy ingredient.

Over the next few days, I did extended grocery store visits to look at packaging. My desire was to make a list of items for my pantry that were dairy and soy free and then incorporate them into my family's nightly meals. I am blessed to live in the suburbs of Nashville, TN, so I have many great options. I feel for the moms who live further out where dairy or soy free alternatives may not be available. I was greatly encouraged by what I found at Kroger, Publix, Whole Foods, and Trader Joe's. They had Canola oil mayo, coconut milk ice cream, coconut yogurt, and a dairy free soy free imitation butter spread. I began thinking that I may make it at this elimination stint.

Probably the most difficult task was eating at other people’s homes, traveling over the weekend, or being away from home all day long. On such occasions, I prepared ahead of time with cold meals for the cooler or grabbed an apple or natural cereal bar. I had to constantly turn down food at friends' houses. On one occasion at a playmate's house, my little 3 year-old said no to a cookie. When I asked why, he said, "I can't have soy." He could, but must have been imitating my usual response to people.

This elimination diet was terribly time-consuming and greatly increased our grocery budget. Each week, I discovered a few new items or how to manipulate a recipe that I could add to the list. In a nutshell, the food I consumed was mostly fresh items with very few processed foods.

Our sweet little girl continued to have tummy troubles and although she never had blood tests to confirm additional allergies, the doctors told us that she may have a wheat, nut, egg or shellfish allergy. After learning this, I decided I would not do further eliminations from my diet, but would put her on formula until age 1. I may need to experiment with more recipes next year after she has been tested.

I lasted 3 months and 10 days on the dairy free, soy free diet. The one instance that I ate out was for my birthday at a Nashville restaurant named Miel. They specialize in organic food and inquired if I had any allergy concerns. It was a little pricey, but a very satisfying meal.

*******My personal product list from below was conducted in the Winter and Spring of 2010. Be sure to check packages before consuming, as some items may have changed.*******

Publix:
Kangaroo Pita chips-sea salt
Wholey Guacamole
Baguette-----Make your own bread crumbs

Kroger Marketplace
Rice milk,
Coconut yogurt
Coconut milk ice cream
Canola mayo
Tropical frozen fruit (for Smoothies)
Organic beans
Delallo Olive Bruschetta
Earth Balance brand soy and dairy free butter flavor spread
Breakfast bars (strawberry was best)

Whole Foods
Organic baguette
Soy free/Dairy free ice cream (Purely Decadent brand)
butternut squash-filled ravioli in freezer area
soy and dairy free buns ($4)


Meal ideas:
Salad with self-made dressing
BLT
Broccoli soup with chicken broth
Crepes made with rice milk topped with fruit or syrup
mac, egg and oil soup
Eggplant with pasta and sauce
Fried rice egg, rice, peas, carrots, few onions, BACON
Frittata (NO Cheese, but sautéed veggies, sausage, ditalini, zucchini)
Jerk Chicken and mango salsa
Meatloaf (grated carrots and pita chips)
Spaghetti / Pasta and red sauce
stuffed peppers
Whole Baked chicken with olive oil
Thai rice paper wraps with leftover pork
grilled veggies
Stuffed tomatoes (with tuna salad
Orzo salad (minus the feta)
Meatballs-open face sandwich w/ pizza sauce
Polenta (Organic @ Trader Joe’s)
Northern white beans
--California rolls (egg, cucumber, carrot, faux crab mixed w/ mayo)

Muffeleta sandwich with Organic baguette and Delallo Olive Bruschetta-Kroger $5.99
& salami
Melissa Barron bean salad
Roast, potatoes and carrots

Fish Tacos
Beef/ turkey tacos
Gumbo and rice
Split pea soup
Pot of 15 bean soup
Homemade egg rolls with Pepper jelly
Homemade Pot stickers
P.F.Chang’s style chicken wraps-made at home
Fajitas (with fautoyah wrap)
Quesadilla (corn, chili beans, salsa, chicken) Fautoyah wrap

Tuna medallions
Beouf bourguignon
Chicken salad
Tuna Salad

Crab legs
Sweet and sour pork chops over rice
Pork loin
Potato salad
Baked beans
Black beans with 2 scoops of fresh salsa (side dish)
Black eyed peas
Salmon cakes


Soups:
Italian wedding soup
Chili
Chicken broth or beef base soup
Leek and potato
Tortilla soup

Snacks:
Guacamole
Hummus with carrots and peppers and pita chips
Fresh fruit-banana, cantaloupe, strawberries, apples, grapes, watermelon


Salads
-Brianna’s Home style “the New American” (creamy balsamic)
-Paula Deen’s Peach (Wal-mart)-I didn't like this one
-Brianna’s Home Style Blush Wine Vinaigrette,
-homemade thousand island,
-homemade French (mustard base),
-home made Asian

Salad carrots, boiled eggs, nuts, craisins, raisins, can corn, tomato, pita chip crumbs (instead of crutons)
grilled chicken, deli oven roasted turkey breast, low- sodium ham
Brushetta / tomatoes in olive oil and basil w/ pinch of salt
Sliced cucumbers in red wine vinegar, salt and pepper



Dessert:
biscotti
Popsicle
Sorbet
Smoothie with coconut yogurt
Chocolate purely Decadent Coconut milk ice cream
Lemon icebox cookies
Jello fluff recipe
Rice crispy Treats


Breakfast:
Oatmeal (trader Joe’s instant apple and cin or Kroger brand)
Eggs
Omelet (ham, salsa)
Rice milk pancakes from scratch w/ Scharffen Berger Chocolate
French toast with
Cheerios with Rice milk