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Introduction
Introduction
Having food allergies can made eating more complicated and potentially dangerous even without worrying about ethics or environmentalism.
Even so, many of us still want to do our part, and some people are already vegan or vegetarian before discovering certain food allergies. I used my food allergies as an excuse to avoid going veg' for a while before I (A) realized how bad the environmental cost of animal products, and (B) noticed how many vegans happened to have the same allergies as me, or even worse food restrictions. After a few tough months of experimenting and hunting for safe vegan foods, new foods started to hit the market, and more shops started adding allergy-friendly vegan foods to their shelves.
Being vegan and having allergies used to feel nearly impossible, but thanks to innovation and so many people wanting to find tasty alternative, we now have more options than ever before!
This page is intended as a directory for common food allergies, useful apps/search engines, food suggestions, and groups that help make the world a safer place for those of us with food allergies.
Allergens
Allergens
This is not a full list of allergies, but the ones we have managed to create resources pages for so far.
Gluten-Free / Wheat
Gluten-Free / Wheat
For those of us with wheat allergies, the "Gluten-Free" tags are generally a safe sign that foods should be free of wheat and related grains.
One word of caution however! Via genetic modification, some products are now made from gluten-free wheat, which means it's still important to read ingredient labels, and verify we aren't accidentally consuming wheat with via these gluten-free products. From 1st-hand experience, I can say those products are NOT safe for anyone sensitive to wheat proteins.
Vise versa, those of us with wheat sensitivity can often eat alterative grains and products that contain gluten. We can also eat wheat grass, which isn't related to wheat, as well as glutenous rice, which simply refers to the stickiness, and not gluten as it is found in wheat, rye, or barley.
Speaking of rye and barley, these contain gluten, but can be safe for people who are only sensitive to wheat.
Click the Gluten-Free link to find resources, recipes and more to help you on your eco-friendly journey.
Soy
Soy
On the up-side, soy is a major source of deforestation, right after beef, so going soy-free will give you a little extra oomph in the fight against climate change.
On the down side, soy is in many vegan foods, either as a primary protein, or as an oil, if not both. This can make it particularly hard to avoid, but not impossible. Our Soy-Free page is intended to make living without soy as a vegan much easier.
Fun with Allergies
Fun with Allergies
This section is intended to help ensure people with allergies can still have fun, even in situations where we might otherwise feel left out.
Parties and Dinner Events
Parties and Dinner Events
One of the worst things about allergies is how difficult it can be to coordinate food and ensure everyone can eat well. I've had a few occasions where the host promised there would be something for me to eat, but all I got was super dry turkey and fish sauce (this was before going vegan) which was so horrible I ended up hungry crying in a bathroom that Christmas.
To avoid disappointment and feeling left out if the host doesn't offer reasonable accommodations, consider coordinating with whoever is in charge of the food, and bringing at least one dish. Either keep it separate from everyone else's food (people without allergies can have a nasty habit of swooping in and eating it all before food time!), or bring enough to share with everyone (but also maybe keep a little extra hidden just in case).
If they assure you not to bring food, always make back-up plans just in case (unless they have a good track record). This can include:
Eating before you come.
Bringing "something to share" anyway, just in case.
Hiding some snacks in a purse or backpack.
Holidays
Holidays
Halloween
Halloween
Holidays can be a very hard holiday for kids with allergies. We've had many Halloweens where the only safe candies gained from trick-or-treating were the worst candies we'd ever tried!
One fun solution is the Teal Pumpkin Project which encourages participants to put out a teal pumpkin and sign up on their map so those dealing with allergies can find the allergy-friendly homes in their communities to visit while trick-or-treating.
Instead of candy, the participating homes offer non-food items.
These can include:
Colouring Books these can be small
Fake Tattoos
Games these can include tiny puzzles, word search puzzles, or travel-sized board games.
Mittens or Gloves these might be extra appreciated going into colder weather
Packs of Crayons or Colouring Pencils
Stickers
Toys small toys are great.
Erasers (USA) / Rubbers (UK)
Add an Anti-Consumerism Twist to Halloween
For those of us who don't want to support sweatshops or plastic pollution for a one-night event. Consider cleaning up with your kids, and seeing what toys, stickers, rubbers, or other fun little things they've been given but don't really want or play with. Explain that other kids might like these things more, and have a basket or bowl on hand as you tidy together.
Your kid(s) get(s) a tidier room where it's easier to see and find their favorite things, then the new collection of toys and other knickknacks can go right by the door in time for trick or treaters.
Just make sure anything you are giving away is clean, intact, and age-appropriate. For example you might not want a toddler grabbing a spider ring in case of chocking.
Sweet Ingredients
Sweet Ingredients
Allergy-Friendly Vegan Chocolate
Allergy-Friendly Vegan Chocolate
Enjoy Life products are free from 14 allergens including wheat, nuts, dairy, eggs, and fish. Their line is constantly expanding and now offers white chocolate chips! Just be careful when candy making to use the double boiler method, to keep the white chocolate smooth.
NOMO Their chocolates are free from dairy, gluten, eggs, and nuts.
Moo Free "we've become the UK's favourite "free from" chocolate supplier catering for dairy, gluten, soya, vegan, and vegetarian diets."
Tools & Apps
Tools & Apps
Finding Safe Food
Finding Safe Food
As a gluten-free vegan, I've found the best way to find food is to search with both of the following apps, and see which restaurants pop up in both. Then check out their online menu's/reviews to see if the foods overlap. If that info isn't available, calling the restaurant often clears up any lingering safety questions.
Find Me Gluten Free "Either plan ahead by entering your destination or find places near your current location. New restaurants listed every day all across the world!" This app focuses on GF food, but some of the restaurant descriptions or reviews will mention or show menus with soy-free, nut-free, and other allergy friendly options.
Happy Cow "find vegan restaurants nearby" great for eating locally or traveling internationally.
Diet Tracking
Diet Tracking
People with dietary restrictions are at higher risk of nutrient deficiencies, and even more so when we are very active. To be on the safe side, it helps to use a diet tracker, and the one bellow is the best I've found so far.
Cronometer Free diet-tracking app allows you to create new foods and recipes, which saves a lot of time if you make big batches and eat lots of left-overs. There's also a "Copy to today" option if you left-click a food you already ate, "explode recipe" and other useful features.
Infographics
Infographics
Hidden Soy Learn how soy has snuck into most of our food, especially via livestock feed, which is much less sustainable or efficient than consuming soy directly.
Organizations
Organizations
North America
North America
USA
USA
FARE "is the largest private funder of food allergy research, promoting the development of new therapies and offering hope for effective treatments. Our FARE Clinical Network is establishing crucial infrastructure to enable breakthrough innovations and collaboration among researchers."
Grants & Funding
Grants & Funding
International
International
Beyond Animal "Where investors and vegan businesses meet" "Using technology, for online funding, networking and business services, to accelerate the transition to an economy free of animal exploitation. Our vision: a kinder, cleaner, healthier world."
EA Animal Welfare Fund "The Animal Welfare Fund supports advocacy, research, and movement-building work aimed at improving the wellbeing of nonhuman animals, primarily farmed and wild animals. This includes corporate and policy advocacy, research, and the promotion of alternative products."
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