A new eggless life....Reading Labels

I always new this day would come. My food allergy-stricken son would marry and what has become just a way of life in our household, would now be a learning experience for his new bride. Greg was born with severe food allergies. He had an allergy to all tested foods except soy and chocolate. Over the years, his ability to tolerate certain foods has changed. He was worst as an infant and as a teenager. In his young adult years, he now has the ability to eat many foods. He is also old enough to know how to control his eating if a certain food will upset his system.

Luckily, food labeling has become so much better. I have read every food label since he became eating. I had to know every form of the products he was allergic to (for example, sodium caseinate, found in marshmallows, was a form of milk and he couldn't have it for a while). Today I don't have to read the tiny print on most packaging. At the bottom of the list, the allergens are listed (Contains: egg, wheat, milk, etc.) The labeling even tells if a product was made on equipment that may have been contaminated by an allergen.

So my first advice to my wonderful young daughter-in-law is to read labels. You will know then what pancake mix you can buy (Betty Crocker, not Krusteaz), what cans of soups Greg can eat (beware of egg noodles. I am surprised how many soups made by Pregresso have eggs), and the list goes on. Certain pre-made foods can have recipe changes, either adding eggs or deleting them. Every couple of years, re-read labels of foods and see if the product ingredients have changed. The first few years of marriage, Greg can probably go shopping with you and he can point out either what he can have or what to definitely never stalk in the pantry for him (no Ranch dressing, no mayonnaise, no marshmallow creme, no chow mien noodles, no egg noodles, as examples).

I sent you on your way with the ingredients for Greg's favorite snack. When I made these for him, he would put them in a container and hide them in his room so  the family wouldn't eat his treats. On this blog, I will post recipes that I have altered or were completely egg-less to begin with. While doughnuts will not be a staple in your home, you will find other foods, most being much healthier alternatives to many egg-based foods. Best of luck in cooking for (with) Greg and welcome to the family!!!