Tag: food intolerances

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Finding Alternative Foods to Eat at Christmas Time

Finding alternative foods to eat at Christmas time

Canadian festive food traditions are renowned for their delectable flavors and we all have our favorites. But there are plenty of reasons why you might be looking for alternative foods to eat at Christmas time. Whether you’ve recently embraced a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle, are aiming for a healthier diet, or have specific food sensitivities, there are delicious recipes to explore. Here, we delve into some beloved Canadian Christmas dishes, suggest alternative options, and discuss how a food intolerance test can enhance your holiday season. Plus we also discuss finding alternative foods to eat at Christmas time.

Turkey

While turkey remains a classic centrepiece for meat-eaters during Christmas dinners, there are plenty of other options for those with different dietary preferences. Consider ham glazed with maple syrup or honey for a sweet twist. For vegetarians or vegans, roasted butternut squash, stuffed pumpkins or meat-free poutine with mushroom gravy can offer delightful alternatives and are bursting with nutrients and flavour.

Mashed Potatoes

Fluffy mashed potatoes are a real crowd-pleaser and easily adapted to suit various diets. Swap butter and milk for vegan-friendly or dairy-free substitutes if you’re lactose intolerant. Plant-based butter works wonders, and adding roasted garlic, salt, and black pepper really elevates the flavours of the dish. If you’re not a fan of potatoes, try mashed parsnips or mashed cauliflower as tasty alternatives. Sweet potato mash is also delicious and a good choice if you want to boost your vitamin A intake and regulate any potential spikes in your blood sugar levels.

Nanaimo Bars

A no-bake delight, Nanaimo bars are a cherished Canadian tradition. Its three layers of crumbly wafer and coconuts, rich buttercream, and chocolate ganache make it a festive favourite, but that doesn’t mean that its ingredients will always align with your diet. If you’re looking for some alternative foods to eat at Christmas time and need dessert inspiration, consider dishes like Bûche de Noël (yule log) or butter tarts. Tweak tart fillings with popular options like nuts, caramels, or lots of chocolate chips.

Christmas Tourtiere

This French-Canadian meat pie often served on December 24th, might not cater to everyone’s diet or taste buds. Herbivores can enjoy a tofu-based alternative with mushrooms, onions, and garlic. Dairy-free butter and plant-based milk can be used, and they are easily adapted for those with a gluten intolerance. Serve it with sweet potato mash, corn salad, or seasonal roasted sprouts.

Mulled Wine

A holiday favourite, Canadian mulled wine is a warm, aromatic treat. For a non-alcoholic version, swap red wine for pomegranate or cranberry juice. Experiment with different fruits like blueberries, blackberries, or grapefruit to customize the sweetness. If you’re not a fan of traditional orange peel, try various fruit combinations for a personalized holiday drink.

Contact Canada Food Intolerance for a healthy holiday

If you regularly experience symptoms, such as bloating, headaches or stomach ache, consider taking a food intolerance test or finding alternative foods to eat. This will help you identify any specific ingredients that cause discomfort so you can tailor your holiday menu and find alternative foods to eat at Christmas time. Visit our website or email [email protected] for more information about our intolerance tests. Make this holiday season truly enjoyable by catering to your individual needs.

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What are uncommon symptoms of food intolerances?

Eczema is an uncommon symptom of food intolerance

When we think of food intolerance symptoms, our minds often jump to digestive issues like bloating, diarrhea, and stomach pains. However, these are not the only reactions that can occur when your body struggles to digest certain foods. In this article, we’ll explore some less common symptoms of food intolerances and how your diet might be affecting your health more than you realize. So, let’s not waste time; here are some uncommon symptoms of food intolerance.

Skin Problems

Acne and changes in complexion are not always solely the result of hormonal changes, stress, or fatigue. While these factors can certainly impact your skin, your diet can also play a significant role. Consuming foods that your body is sensitive to can trigger an inflammatory response, leading to skin issues like acne, eczema, or hives. These are also symptoms of an allergy but have been noted as uncommon symptoms of food intolerance. It is important to note the difference.

Cognitive Issues

Unusual reactions to food intolerances can be challenging to identify, especially when they resemble common everyday struggles. Brain fog is one such symptom, and it’s easy to attribute it to factors like tiredness or stress. However, if you’re experiencing persistent cognitive difficulties despite making lifestyle changes like staying hydrated, getting enough sleep, and exercising, your brain fog could be related to your body’s difficulty digesting certain foods.

Mental Health

It’s well-known that our diet can affect our physical health, but there’s also a strong connection between the foods we consume and our mental well-being. Your gut plays a crucial role in producing serotonin, a neurotransmitter that regulates mood and sleep. If you’re regularly consuming foods that your body struggles to digest, it can disrupt the balance in your gut and potentially lead to anxiety, depression, and low mood.

Congestion

Nasal congestion is often associated with illnesses like colds or the flu, but it can also be an unexpected reaction to foods that don’t agree with your digestive system. When your body has difficulty processing certain foods, it may respond with nasal congestion as it deals with the issue. Since congestion is a common ailment, it’s easy to overlook the connection to your diet, especially if you have allergies or it’s cold season.

How can you determine if you’re experiencing uncommon food intolerance symptoms?

It’s common to attribute food intolerance symptoms to your lifestyle or other health issues. For instance, you might assume brain fog is due to a hectic schedule or that acne is caused by hormones or fatty foods. Taking a food intolerance test can provide valuable insights into how your body reacts to the foods you consume. If the results reveal a specific intolerance, you’ll know to avoid that ingredient in the future. On the other hand, if the test doesn’t identify any sensitivities, you can continue to monitor your symptoms and consult a healthcare professional if they persist.

Contact Canada Food Intolerance for support with your health

To ensure you’re better equipped to address any health concerns, you can order a food intolerance test from our website. If you have questions about how our tests work, you can also fill out our contact form. Remember that while we’re here to help, our advice should not replace that of healthcare professionals, so it’s essential to consult your doctor if you have any concerns. If you have any further questions about uncommon symptoms of food intolerance, our Live Chat team are also on hand to assist.

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What are the rarest food allergies?

Wine is one of the rarest food allergies

Some food allergies are so common in Canada that manufacturers are legally required to label products that contain them. Eggs, cow’s milk, and nuts, for example, are all known to trigger physical symptoms like severe abdominal pain, a skin rash (hives), shortness of breath, and nausea. However, there are some more of the rarest food allergies that you might not have heard of, but they can be just as dangerous.

Avocados

Smashed avocado is a breakfast trend that has gained popularity in recent years, but it’s also the cause of some more unusual food allergies. Interestingly, the proteins found in avocados have a structure similar to those found in latex, so these two allergies are closely linked. Avocados also contain histamines, which are the source of some food allergies and can provoke a physical reaction.

Red meat

A sugar found in meat called alpha-galactose can occasionally trigger an autoimmune response. This can lead to an allergy to red meats like beef, lamb, and pork, causing symptoms such as congestion, diarrhea, breathlessness, and an itchy rash. If you suffer from this uncommon food allergy, you may find that you’re also unable to eat poultry, as it can sometimes be injected with beef to enhance its flavour.

Dried fruit

Sulfites, such as sulphur dioxide, are used to preserve foods, prevent browning, and prolong their colour. Despite being commonly used in baked goods, snacks, and dried fruit, they are known to trigger allergic reactions. For this reason, food manufacturers have a legal obligation to list sulphates on food labels if they are included in a product as a preservative or enhancer.

Marshmallows

A marshmallow allergy is unusual, but gelatin is the most likely culprit if you experience severe symptoms after eating this sweet treat. This protein is derived from the collagen taken from the skin, bones, and connective tissues of cows and pigs that have been processed. It’s commonly added to sweets, desserts, and even some sauces, which means many of these are not suitable for vegetarians and vegans.

Wine is one of the rarest food allergies

Yes, despite being one of the rarest food allergies, some people have the misfortune of being allergic to wine, likely due to the enzymes it contains. An alcohol allergy is also known to exacerbate other reactions to food. For example, you may find that you’re not allergic to a particular ingredient, but combining it with alcohol brings on symptoms you wouldn’t experience otherwise.

How can I determine if I have one of the rarest food allergies?

Having a food allergy is not the same as having a food intolerance, but it’s easy to confuse the two. While food intolerance symptoms are unpleasant, they are not as severe as those associated with food allergies and do not require immediate medical attention. You can find out whether you have a food intolerance by taking one of our tests that will determine whether your digestive system is sensitive to specific ingredients. If you suspect you have a food allergy, on the other hand, it’s best to speak to your family doctor, who can refer you for the necessary tests.

Contact Canada Food Intolerance to enhance your health and wellbeing

If you would like to learn more about our food intolerance tests, please visit our website or FAQs page. You can also send any questions you have to [email protected] or fill out our contact form. Please remember that while we are happy to address your concerns, our advice should never replace that of healthcare professionals, and you should consult with your doctor if you have health concerns.