G-free/ dairy free/ vegetarian: is it possible?!

[gfreelishy]

Hello! So I searched through some of these threads and couldn't really find much on this... So I'm gonna ask on a new thread now!

Okay, I am currently on a gluten free and 99% dairy free diet right now. But I'm studying abroad and living with a host family so I don't really have too much control over what I eat/ can find in stores for food stuff. BUT when I go back to the US, I would like to go 100% dairy free, stay gluten free (obviously), and try to eliminate meat- or at least cut back on it. I also may or may not have some other unknown food sensitivities as well, but I'm getting blood tests done for that when I get back.

But I feel like being g/dairy/meat/other food- free is nearly impossible and limits me a lot on what I can eat! Another problem I have is that I'm slightly picky when it comes to veggies. I like the basics, but that's about it haha. But I realized there are so many things that have dairy in them that I don't think about! (Like peanut butter? Yes? Butter, chocolate, etc) So I just don't know... The meat thing is a choice, but the dairy and gluten freeness are not-- my body is EXTREMELY sensitive to both of those.

Soooo... yea. Anyone know any good meals and such for a g/ dairy/ meat free diet?! Hope so!!!

[dachshundqueen]

I've been gluten, casein, soy, almond, corn, and egg free before. I will tell you that it was extraordinarily difficult and I lost over 15 pounds.

I think that, depending on where you live in the US, you will probably have better access to a wider variety of foods.

You'll be heavily reliant on beans, rices, potatoes, and fats (like olive oil, coconut and palm oils) to satiate yourself. Trying to find a good quality tahini that isn't cross contaminated or even just good sesame seeds would be worthwhile.

You may find significantly more information in the allergies forum.

Liz

[gfreelishy]

May I ask why you went gluten, casein, soy, almond, corn, and egg free before? And are you still on that diet? And hmmm... I don't know how to move threads, could I repost this exact post on there as well? Ha, Idk how to do everything.

Also, what's tahini?

[dachshundqueen]

Originally Posted by gfreelishy

May I ask why you went gluten, casein, soy, almond, corn, and egg free before? And are you still on that diet? And hmmm... I don't know how to move threads, could I repost this exact post on there as well? Ha, Idk how to do everything.

Also, what's tahini?

Still thinking, you can have gluten free flours shipped to you as well as thickeners and egg subs as well if they're not readily available in your new US locale. They're pricey though.

Tahini is ground sesame seeds.

I went on it due to a nurslings sensitivities.

Liz

[gfreelishy]

Originally Posted by dachshundqueen

Still thinking, you can have gluten free flours shipped to you as well as thickeners and egg subs as well if they're not readily available in your new US locale. They're pricey though.

Tahini is ground sesame seeds.

I went on it due to a nurslings sensitivities.

Liz

There are a lot of good stores back where I'll be living in MN. I only have one and half months left in Spain so I'll be okay until then... What do you use the tahini for??? Or do you eat it plain?

[Zenzero]

I think it would be pretty hard and you would have to be well prepared but it would be possible.

Can I ask why you want to cut meat out? Do you eat fish/seafood? And if you are not cutting out eggs that will help or are you wanting to go vegan?

Re peanut butter...you can get ones that are just ground peanuts so don't have any dairy in them.

[gfreelishy]

Originally Posted by Zenzero

I think it would be pretty hard and you would have to be well prepared but it would be possible.

Can I ask why you want to cut meat out? Do you eat fish/seafood? And if you are not cutting out eggs that will help or are you wanting to go vegan?

Re peanut butter...you can get ones that are just ground peanuts so don't have any dairy in them.

Noooo not vegan. And I think I'll just start off by cutting back on all meats... because: "people who don't eat meat have a much lower chance of cancer, diabetes, intestinal issues (like perforated intestines), and they live longer. there's no proof our bodies are designed to eat meat, since vegetarians are the healthiest. the fat and chemicals in meat, even organic meat, are bad for you. it's the worst thing you can do for the environment. the cruelty in factory farms is unspeakable. the FDA has little control over the meat industry, so people die from unreported tainted meat. the largest pork company in the world illegally busses in people from mexico, and make them work in dangerous conditions for almost no money. etc." my best friend is a veggie and has convinced me to do it. (that was a direct quote from her and her mad woman research! haha) I've just never had the will power to try it. I eat meat every day, multiple times a day. So I think I'll cut it back to like a couple times a week to start off slow at least.... But! (okay I literally just learned this- if you're a pescatarian, you can eat seafood/fish. So THAT is probably what I'll be! Because I don't mind seafood )

And oh right! Natural peanut butter. Ha, duhhh. Thank you for reminding me. And nope I won't cut out eggs either.

[caiesmommy]

Im a vegan (well I did have some mini eggs at Easter..shhhh ) and Im mostly gluten free. I eat gluten if Im out of my gluten free stuff and theres regular in the house LOL so MAYBE once a week. We also dont eat much tofu/soy. Maybe a tofu stirfry once a week

Im not having much issues. The one I do have is breakfast, mostly b./c I hate eating morning food and eating in the morning. That's something I REALLY need to work on

Some of the dishes I have
-rice and beans
-stirfry on rice noodles
-corn tortilla casserole
-vegetable bean soups
-pasta with gluten free noodles, tomato sauce and beans

Tonight is a greens soup w kale/pea puree and homemade broth,chickpeas, peas, carrots in it. Lentil loaf,wasabi mashed potatoes, sliced cuke and tomatoes

[KaylaBeanie]

Ha, I'm crazywoman best friend

Lish, I obviously told you this earlier, but even if you cut your meat back, you're doing a lot of good. If you can get so that you're 100% pesci like my mom, you're doing friggen AWESOME! You know I've been veggie for 6 months now, and outside of the occasional pasta dish, I eat almost entirely g-free...potatoes, rice, beans, etc. I'm subbing to this thread, because I'm trying to get brave enough to stop dairy (suspected allergy/sensitivity issues) so that means a huge chunk of my diet is gone (yogurt/cheese). I wish I liked seafood like you did!

[gfreelishy]

Originally Posted by caiesmommy

Im a vegan (well I did have some mini eggs at Easter..shhhh ) and Im mostly gluten free. I eat gluten if Im out of my gluten free stuff and theres regular in the house LOL so MAYBE once a week. We also dont eat much tofu/soy. Maybe a tofu stirfry once a week

Im not having much issues. The one I do have is breakfast, mostly b./c I hate eating morning food and eating in the morning. That's something I REALLY need to work on

Some of the dishes I have
-rice and beans
-stirfry on rice noodles
-corn tortilla casserole
-vegetable bean soups
-pasta with gluten free noodles, tomato sauce and beans

Tonight is a greens soup w kale/pea puree and homemade broth,chickpeas, peas, carrots in it. Lentil loaf,wasabi mashed potatoes, sliced cuke and tomatoes

^^ Ooo those all sound really good!! Yes I think rice substitutes are/ will be a life saver! Although one woman posted on another thread I had (I have sinus issues, can't figure out why, gonna get food allergy tests when I get back) that she was ALLERGIC to rice! Eek! That wouldn't be fun. May I ask why you're vegan and gluten free?

Originally Posted by KaylaBeanie

Ha, I'm crazywoman best friend

Lish, I obviously told you this earlier, but even if you cut your meat back, you're doing a lot of good. If you can get so that you're 100% pesci like my mom, you're doing friggen AWESOME! You know I've been veggie for 6 months now, and outside of the occasional pasta dish, I eat almost entirely g-free...potatoes, rice, beans, etc. I'm subbing to this thread, because I'm trying to get brave enough to stop dairy (suspected allergy/sensitivity issues) so that means a huge chunk of my diet is gone (yogurt/cheese). I wish I liked seafood like you did!

^^^ Girl, I used to HATE seafood!! I only liked tuna. But coming to Spain and they have fish a lot, it actually grew on me! Just keep trying it in different things with different spices/ sauces. I think it can definitely be considered an acquired taste (like tea, coffee, veggies, etc). But yea, fish is good for you too, and I think I'll have an easier time just substituting fish for meat in things as well. But yes! No more dairy! Go dairy free with me!! Seriously- in a month and like, 16 days I will be home and starting this whole new diet! Eep! If only they had dairy free string cheese... *sigh*

[caiesmommy]

[QUOTE=gfreelishy;15269172]^^ Ooo those all sound really good!! Yes I think rice substitutes are/ will be a life saver! Although one woman posted on another thread I had (I have sinus issues, can't figure out why, gonna get food allergy tests when I get back) that she was ALLERGIC to rice! Eek! That wouldn't be fun. May I ask why you're vegan and gluten free?

I don't eat meat for many reasons, The three big ones are
1) I was ALWAYS sick as a child b/c of meat
2) I HATE the taste of meat, always have prob always will
3) I believe its better for the environment

I gave up milk again b/c I was always/always get sick from it. Major ear infections. I only occasionally have dairy and its usually chocolate on a special occasion, or if someone makes us a vegetarian meal and goes cheese heavy but then Im always ill after

I gave up eggs when I was 3 months pregnant w dd and decided that eggs we're the most disgusting food ever...seriously chicken periods:Puke BUT I wouldnt expect anyone to give up eggs for that being the reason, my dh and kids still eat them, I just can't stand them anymore...thanks pregnancy

I gave up gluten b/c I always felt so bloated and draggy after eating it. That whole too much pasta feeling yuck. Not to mention the stomach cramps I get after as well

[gfreelishy]

Oof!!!! Wow. (ps-- love the vomit smiley!!! haha! )

That is very understandable then. I'm suuuper excited to go home and make my own food and start this new diet. I mean, don't get me wrong, I love the food in Spain too. But I miss like, Mexican food and stir fry! Haha. And here I'm not 100% dairy free. And I want to be. And wanna try no meat/ only fish too. I'm excited. So how many years/ months have you been vegan/ g free?? And do any of the rest of your familia members have the same diet restrictions as you??

[Sayward]

I know plenty of g-f vegans. It's totally doable. Like anything there will be a tough transition, but once you learn all the wonderful dishes you CAN eat, it's easy and enjoyable. =)

[caiesmommy]

Ive only been all these things off and on for a couple of years.

I was vegetarian many times when I was a kid/teenager. Was vegan whenI got pregnant with ds but started eating meat, went back vegan as soon as he was born, then ate dairy when I was pregnant w dd(both pregnancies I couldnt eat more then a few things, so I ate what I could keep down). I went gf the first time when ds was little and they thought he had celiacs...turns out its just a mild intolerance, so we still limit his gluten but he does eat bread, other then that everything else is pretty much gf. Noone in the family does dairy b/c we all get sick on it. But dh,ds(3.5) and dd(15m) all do eggs, and they LOVE them..can't get enough its good we dont do meat,they get enough cholesterol frm eggs

[gfreelishy]

Originally Posted by caiesmommy

Ive only been all these things off and on for a couple of years.

I was vegetarian many times when I was a kid/teenager. Was vegan whenI got pregnant with ds but started eating meat, went back vegan as soon as he was born, then ate dairy when I was pregnant w dd(both pregnancies I couldnt eat more then a few things, so I ate what I could keep down). I went gf the first time when ds was little and they thought he had celiacs...turns out its just a mild intolerance, so we still limit his gluten but he does eat bread, other then that everything else is pretty much gf. Noone in the family does dairy b/c we all get sick on it. But dh,ds(3.5) and dd(15m) all do eggs, and they LOVE them..can't get enough its good we dont do meat,they get enough cholesterol frm eggs

^^ Oooh okay!! Well that's good cuz meat, gluten, and dairy aren't really good for our bodies anyhow!! And at least the tots are still young- it's probably easier to incorporate healthier foods then - as opposed to when they're way older and used to junk food.

Originally Posted by Sayward

I know plenty of g-f vegans. It's totally doable. Like anything there will be a tough transition, but once you learn all the wonderful dishes you CAN eat, it's easy and enjoyable. =)

^^ Alrighty!! Thanks for the motivation!! ... now to find some good recipes...

[Zenzero]

I have to say that I disagree that meat is bad for you! Obviously factory farmed stuff is dreadful for you but good natural pastured meat can be very good for you. If you don't want to eat it/don't do well on it (as some people don't) then fair enough but I really think the whole "all meat is bad for you" is a complete misconception based on what badly raised stuff does to the body. I'm definitely not saying don't be veggie if that's what you really want but it's just something to think about if you are struggling with it...maybe just eat a little really good quality meat now and again or something. Of course you may feel wonderful without it and that is great but I personally feel awful (really lethargic and irritable) if I don't eat it at all.

Anyway, just thought I would drop this in. Hope you find a way of eating that makes you feel good!

[puffingirl]

The Gluten Free Vegetarian Kitchen by Donna Klein is a really good cookbook and she notes all the recipes that are also dairy-free and a bunch of stuff can be adapted to be dairy-free.

[gfreelishy]

Originally Posted by puffingirl

The Gluten Free Vegetarian Kitchen by Donna Klein is a really good cookbook and she notes all the recipes that are also dairy-free and a bunch of stuff can be adapted to be dairy-free.

Awesome!!!! Thanks!!!! I will definitely have to check that out!

[MountainMamaGC]

I have crohns and I went vegan to help it. Then I found that it wasnt working anymore. Then I cut wheat and figured out that vegan helped for awhile because I was dairy free. I just could not keep up gluten free, dairy free and meat/egg free. It found it too restrictive. So I went to gluten free and dairy free TF. When that no longer worked I started taking meds again. Now I am in a medically induced remission and I can eat anything, so I am sticking to a whole foods diet with vegetarian suppers 3 times a week. Its like a combination of all these different ways of eating I learned over the past year.

Good luck! I think you can do it if you put your mind to it.

[crunchy_mommy]

PB doesn't have dairy in it (well I suppose some kind might but not normal PB!!)

My sister traveled to Europe with a friend with celiac's and they discovered (sadly toward the end of their stay!) that the drug stores carry tons of gluten-free foods. Just figured I'd mention that in case you haven't thought to check there.

Anyway... you can totally do this! We don't eat dairy, eggs, meat, etc. and are mostly gluten-free (at times 100% gluten-free) and mostly soy-free. However we do love almost every veggie... that might make it tough if you don't like 'em!! Some things we like: corn tortillas with refried beans, avocado, salsa, & veggies... rice or quinoa pasta with sauce... stir-fried veggies with rice... sauteed potatoes with onions, mushrooms, & red beans... spring rolls with peanut sauce... homemade veggie burgers... crockpot soups (lentil soup or coconut squash soup are our faves!)... roasted veggies with pecans... OK I'm getting hungry but DS is sleeping in my lap