1. Focus on what you CAN eat.
When we find out there’s something we can’t have, it’s in our nature to suddenly focus ONLY on the restricted food(s). Doing this will leave you feeling defeated. Instead, focus on the many delicious and nutritious foods that you can eat.
2. Keep it simple.
Skip fancy ingredients and complicated recipes for awhile, and instead, focus on keeping meals simple. This will not only allow you to more easily adjust to your new diet without becoming overwhelmed, but will also enable you to learn to manage your new dietary lifestyle within your budget.
3. Cook from scratch, when it counts.
Feeding a family while trying to manage food allergies generally means spending more time in the kitchen. And while it’s usually healthier to cook from scratch, your time is precious and there’s only so much of it to go around. I'd say making yogurt is not worth making, but making bread is simple, and easy especially if you have a bread machine. You find them at garage sales or ask a older relative if they have one in their closet in the back. Chances are, you'll get one for next to nothing and be making homemade bread for next to nothing too.
4. Buy specialty items in bulk.
Once you’ve figured out how to balance simple meals with cooking new favorite allergy-free fare, take the time to find a quality source for your allergy-free ingredients and know what’s a good price to pay. Then, when prices are at their absolute lowest, stock up. Whether it’s gluten-free and grain-free flours, or non-dairy milk, stocking up on allergy-friendly ingredients that you use frequently – when prices are rock bottom – will help you to save money.
Remember, “buying in bulk” doesn’t mean having to buy from bulk bins in grocery stores, where cross-contamination may be an issue. Instead, many companies offer bulk-size packages of their allergy-free products, which will help you save money without risking accidental exposure to allergens. In addition, many health food stores and markets offer discounts for buying foods by the case. So taking advantage of these types of discounts can really add up to big savings over time.
5. Get a better handle on budgeting.
If your new dietary lifestyle is making it a challenge to stay within budget, take some time to learn more methods of saving money. Strategies, like creating a weekly menu plan on a erase or chalk board. One family invested in chalk board paint and painted their refrigerator. It's a awesome idea! Family members have a calendar for the month of activities that helps mom plan for the month. And she puts on the frig the menu too. It's a big hit! TIP***Also visit a local fresh farmers market. They offer fresher product and cheaper because they know they are in competition with the large food store chains.
When we find out there’s something we can’t have, it’s in our nature to suddenly focus ONLY on the restricted food(s). Doing this will leave you feeling defeated. Instead, focus on the many delicious and nutritious foods that you can eat.
2. Keep it simple.
Skip fancy ingredients and complicated recipes for awhile, and instead, focus on keeping meals simple. This will not only allow you to more easily adjust to your new diet without becoming overwhelmed, but will also enable you to learn to manage your new dietary lifestyle within your budget.
3. Cook from scratch, when it counts.
Feeding a family while trying to manage food allergies generally means spending more time in the kitchen. And while it’s usually healthier to cook from scratch, your time is precious and there’s only so much of it to go around. I'd say making yogurt is not worth making, but making bread is simple, and easy especially if you have a bread machine. You find them at garage sales or ask a older relative if they have one in their closet in the back. Chances are, you'll get one for next to nothing and be making homemade bread for next to nothing too.
4. Buy specialty items in bulk.
Once you’ve figured out how to balance simple meals with cooking new favorite allergy-free fare, take the time to find a quality source for your allergy-free ingredients and know what’s a good price to pay. Then, when prices are at their absolute lowest, stock up. Whether it’s gluten-free and grain-free flours, or non-dairy milk, stocking up on allergy-friendly ingredients that you use frequently – when prices are rock bottom – will help you to save money.
Remember, “buying in bulk” doesn’t mean having to buy from bulk bins in grocery stores, where cross-contamination may be an issue. Instead, many companies offer bulk-size packages of their allergy-free products, which will help you save money without risking accidental exposure to allergens. In addition, many health food stores and markets offer discounts for buying foods by the case. So taking advantage of these types of discounts can really add up to big savings over time.
5. Get a better handle on budgeting.
If your new dietary lifestyle is making it a challenge to stay within budget, take some time to learn more methods of saving money. Strategies, like creating a weekly menu plan on a erase or chalk board. One family invested in chalk board paint and painted their refrigerator. It's a awesome idea! Family members have a calendar for the month of activities that helps mom plan for the month. And she puts on the frig the menu too. It's a big hit! TIP***Also visit a local fresh farmers market. They offer fresher product and cheaper because they know they are in competition with the large food store chains.