Food allergies can be a tricky thing to navigate, but with a little creativity, you can still enjoy delicious meals without compromising your health. As an expert chef, I have encountered many customers with food allergies and have learned a thing or two about substitutes.
One common food allergy is a dairy allergy. If you are lactose intolerant or have a dairy allergy, there are plenty of substitutes available in the market. You can use almond milk, coconut milk, or even oat milk in recipes that call for regular milk. For recipes that require cream or heavy cream, you can use coconut cream or cashew cream as a substitute.
For those with a gluten allergy or celiac disease, gluten-free substitutes have become more readily available. Instead of using regular flour in your recipes, you can use almond flour, coconut flour, or even a gluten-free flour blend. These substitutes may alter the texture of your dish slightly, but the flavor will still be delicious.
Another common food allergy is a nut allergy. If you are allergic to nuts, you can use seeds as substitutes. Sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and sesame seeds can be used in place of nuts in recipes. You can also use sunflower seed butter or tahini as a substitute for peanut butter or almond butter.
It’s important to always read labels and be aware of potential allergens in your food. But with these substitutes, you can still enjoy a wide variety of delicious meals without compromising your health.