5 holiday survival tips for people with food sensitivities and the people who cook for them
With the holiday season well underway, several families are getting ready to plan their traditional feasts to celebrate the season.
But for people with sensitive stomachs or allergies, it can be a challenging time being surrounded by food and homemade baked goods that aren’t labelled with their ingredients.
It’s a common feeling for people with food allergies to feel left out around the holiday dinner table — and no small amount of anxiety for cooks trying to cater to them. But it doesn’t always have to be that way, according to Taylar Oram, a holistic nutritional student in Kamloops.
Oram has a lot of food sensitivities and intolerances herself, which is also the reason why she decided launch her own business dedicated to baking goods for people with food intolerances.
Over the years, she’s become more aware of her food sensitivities to gluten, wheat, eggs and various dairy products which led her to find substitutes and alternatives to her baking and meals.
Here are just some tips she would like to share.
1. Vegan butter is a substitute to traditional butter and works great in various dishes like mash potatoes, Oram says. If you use butter to cook with, avocado oil is another useful alternative.
2. Flax egg is a vegan egg substitute that mimics the consistency of eggs. Oram describes the substitute as the most versatile.
3. Lentils and beans are a great protein substitute for individuals who eat more plant-based diets, Oram says. Bean salads, roasted beans, or steamed beans are some ways to cook them, Oram says.
4. Don’t be afraid to break from old traditions, Oram says. Experiment, do research and have fun finding new ways to make your favourite meals.
5. Find local nutritionist pages to find tips on where to shop locally if you have a food sensitivity. Oram recommends @basicwithbails based out of Kelowna and @lulugodin from Vancouver.
For more information visit Taylar Oram's official Facebook page by going here.
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