How to cook for food allergies

Community Practitioner, June, 2008 by Teresa Newcombe

How to cook for food allergies

Lucinda Bruce-Gardyne, Rodale (2008)

ISBN: 9781905744046, 16.99

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This book was written to give those with allergies--and the people who cook for them--the skills and knowledge needed to cook delicious, allergen-free meals from scratch. It shows clearly that the diagnosis of food allergy does not mean they or their family's diet should be limited.

The author has three children with food allergies and her down-to-earth advice is well written. Avoiding contamination may seem obvious, but a simple suggestion like preparing safe foods before unsafe to avoid cross-contamination is good practice. She also covers situations like eating out, and childcare issues such as starting school, going to parties and travelling abroad. This is an excellent resource for childcare settings and anyone catering for food allergies.

How to cook for food allergies explains why allergenic ingredients such as wheat, eggs and dairy products are so commonly used in recipes. There are clear explanations for how to substitute alternative ingredients in some of the recipes. The book also incorporates basic cookery techniques in order to adjust recipes that have not been specifically designed for food allergy sufferers and to enable the reader to cook a variety of fresh tasty food.

A section on eating a balanced diet while on a restricted diet explains clearly the nutritional role of vitamins, minerals and nutrients and the best sources of each of these.

There are over 100 recipes for the whole family, with weaning advice and suggested foods from six months. The instructions are easy to follow, and the recipes cover a range of techniques and foods including roasting, grilling, frying, making stock, sauces and soups, baking, baby food, cooking potatoes, grains, rice and pasta and making puddings. There is a good range of meat, fish and vegetarian recipes. Most ingredients are readily available, though some gluten-free flours may need to be purchased from a larger supermarket or health food shop.

I would recommend this book to anyone who has to cook for someone with food allergy. Packed with great tips and enjoyable to read, with it the whole family can share good, wholesome food that is easy to cook and non-allergenic.

Reviewed by: Teresa Newcombe

Health visitor, West Hertfordshire and East and North Hertfordshire primary care Trusts