Gluten And Soy Free Food? Help!

[Free-CountryGirl]

Does anyone have any suggestions for packaged gluten and soy free foods? Besides Larabars? It's not that I don't like those, but I'm trying to lose weight and the calories and sugar just arent good for my waistline

Any recipe/cooking advice would be GREATLY appreciated. I'm getting very tired of my usual yogurt, turkey, chicken, apples, strawberries, carrots and a few other veggies. I sort of had a major meltdown yesterday when I went to Uno's Chicago Grill, who I know is good about gluten free/food accomadations, and after reading through the ingredients of every possible menu item, I could only have one thing...and only one of the sides (who knew they put soy on french fries? and broccoli???!) I hate to admit it, but the thought of such limited food opptions and difficulties for the rest of my life (i'm only 18....college eating/socializing can be a nightmare)was hard to swallow. Admittedly, I went home and, like a baby, had a good cry and moped around for a good hour or so. *sigh* I just get very frustrated with having to life inside such a "box" per say. I know it's only food, but it isn't the lack of food that bothers me so very much, although it does suck, but the unfair limitations I have when it comes to socializing and such. Anyways, thanks for listening to my vent and crying confession.

Thank you SO much in advance for any food help!

[ravenwoodglass]

Soy on broccoli!!! Perhaps sauted with a butter replacement? You may want to ask if they can give you just plain broccoli or whatever veg steamed with no seasoning the next time.

I am also soy and gluten free. For bread I do Udi's or Grainless Baker. Kinnickinnik makes great premade pizza shells for when you are craving pizza. I always keep some on hand with some pizza sauce and Hormel pepperoni.

I do a lot of stews and soups at home. One of my favorite stews is a browned pork chop, then I set it aside and cut it up small while I saute some onions and garlic in the pan drippings. I then put all of them into a pot with a can of Delmonte or Wegmans canned chopped tomatoes (or fresh if in season) with a handful of green beans and a half teaspoon of cinnamon. I let it cook for a couple hours until the pork is really tender. I eat it plain or with Glutino crackers and like chili it gets even better the next day. It is also good over rice. White beans or chichi (garbanzo) are also good if your not much of a meat eater.

Soups done with a gluten free broth and whatever veggies and meat you tolerate are also good. You can vary the flavors by using different spices.

If you like rice a rice cooker is pretty cheap and helps a lot. I do quite a bit of wild rice in the bottom and whatever veg I have in the steamer basket on top. Quick and easy when you don't feel like doing much cooking.

Do check out the recipe section of the board for a lot of good ideas.

Things should get better for you soon but it is very hard when especially when your young and active. Hang in there and don't feel bad about the venting or the tears. For one thing you may be dealing with withdrawl and that can take some time as can the normal greiving process that many of us go through.

[Kelly777]

It is really difficult. I have not been able to find decent salad dressings that don't contain soy or canola. I have as difficult time with canola as I do soy. I end up making my own salad dressings. The net is filled with a lot of recipes. I also use less oil and substitute with apple juice or pear juice if I want it sweeter. Ruffles don't have soy or gluten. I just recently found this chip called "Food Should Taste This Good" Lime flavored. With peach mango salsa it is to die for. It is high calorie wise but yummy. I have started making most of my stuff because I'm also limited with lactose intolerance. Good luck and I will post more when I see something sans soy you might like.

[bridgetm]

I'm a college student living in a dorm too so I understand your frustration. Once I found a nice collection of gluten-free replacement foods, the plan turned upside down again when I had to go soy free. Now I also avoid dairy and large amounts of sugar and high fructose foods.

The basics I always keep on hand are rice cakes and applesauce (my suggestion is to skip the spoon; add some cinnamon to the applesauce-- I refill a little container from home-- and dip the cakes), rice, oatmeal, potatoes (usually shrink wrapped and microwave ready), tuna and lemonaisse (a gluten and soy free mayo), some lunch meat, bread and eggs. If I have time to cook a real breakfast, I'll prep some eggs for an omelet but fill it only with rice and sometimes meat or veggies if I have them. There are plenty of gluten and soy free cereals out there; I stopped buying them to avoid unnecessary sugar, but it is good to have the option. I pick up my own tortilla chips and salsa if there's a movie night or party coming. When I go home, we cook up some meat and roasted veggies to add to my rice. If I had a freezer in my room there would be two weeks worth of home-cooked meals inside

It's also a good idea to find a restaurant or two where you can at least eat something, if not a whole meal. I have a Noodles & Co. right off campus (all I can have is the pad thai, but thankfully that's one of my favorites) and a Chipotle. Unfortunately, a lot of my friends would rather go to McDonald's or get half-price apps at Applebee's so my social life has been pretty quiet, but on the occasions when they let me pick it can feel like old times.

If you're a pad thai fan, my sister has a great vegetarian, gluten and soy free recipe that's pretty simple and has gotten popular at home. I have it around here somewhere; I'll post that along with a few others later. Splurge occasionally and invite your friends to a meal. College students are always ready for food that didn't come from the caf and there are plenty of dishes that don't scream "gluten and soy free" to the fast-food goers.

[Kelly777]

I forgot to say that I know exactly what you are feeling about finding out that you are gluten intolerant. For me I was self diagnosed after months of being really sick. I decided to "try" gluten free just to see and I was 150% better within 24 hours so I NEVER wanted to go back but there are times when I still have a lot of grief regarding what and how I do things since becoming gluten free. I have to pack a cooler full of drinks and food that are safe for me to have during the day. For anybody else, they can go to the gas station next door and grab something on the run if they forget anything and add the other limitations besides gluten it is almost prohibitive. Good news though is two of the ladies at the gas station are gluten intolerant so they now have gluten free pizza, muffins and other snacks but other than those there are no other options. Even though there are more gluten free options out there we still aren't equal but everyday there are more and more options at all of the restaurants so that is a good thing. The only thing I can say to you is learn to cook and like it and bring your friends onboard with you. I cannot tell you how many people are so supportive when you tell them you are gluten intolerant. They will bend over backwards for you. The most difficult people I have endured are my family members--but they are learning that I will be included or I won't participate in family gatherings where food is involved unless I'm totally included. I refuse to sit at a table with an empty plate anywhere. Be good to you and that's all you can do.

[IrishHeart]

I feel for you because I have to avoid soy too. It IS very frustrating and overwhelming, especially when I am feeling so lousy. You guys are proof that it gets easier with time.

The suggestions here are very helpful! Thanks for posting this as I have so many questions and this was one of them! Ginny

[Free-CountryGirl]

Oh my goodness THANK YOU everyone!! really, it was all so helpful, and made me feel like my future in food is a lot less bleak The food ideas sounded yummy, I'm excited to try them! I really needed a change.

[missy'smom]

Earthbalance has a soy-free version of their "butter" spread

Pamela's bread mix is soy-free

Kirkland/Costco canned tuna is soy-free

for a soy-free, gluten-free "soy" sauce replacement I use coconut aminos, the brand is Coconut Secret, it tastes like a teriyaki sauce, I use it as a dipping sauce and add some roasted sesame oil to it, it also works well on broiled salmon-putting on top in the last few minutes so as not to carmelize it too much

[ravenwoodglass]

Kirkland/Costco canned tuna is soy-free

That reminded me Starkist tuna in the gold can that says 'low sodium' 'in water' is soy and broth free. I had a hard time finding tuna that was as most either have soy in the 'broth' or soy oil.

[bridgetm]

That reminded me Starkist tuna in the gold can that says 'low sodium' 'in water' is soy and broth free. I had a hard time finding tuna that was as most either have soy in the 'broth' or soy oil.

Starkist also has one packed in olive oil now. It's harder to find, but worth the search. At most stores, if they don't have the water-packed tuna they have the olive oil or vice versa.

[missy'smom]

That reminded me Starkist tuna in the gold can that says 'low sodium' 'in water' is soy and broth free. I had a hard time finding tuna that was as most either have soy in the 'broth' or soy oil.

Starkist also has one packed in olive oil now. It's harder to find, but worth the search. At most stores, if they don't have the water-packed tuna they have the olive oil or vice versa.

Thank you both! I can't always make it out to Costco so will keep an eye out for these others.

[Free-CountryGirl]

Wow, you know I hadn't even thought of tuna having soy in it! Thankfully I havent had tuna in a few weeks

[cahill]

That reminded me Starkist tuna in the gold can that says 'low sodium' 'in water' is soy and broth free. I had a hard time finding tuna that was as most either have soy in the 'broth' or soy oil.

I have found this tuna but still cant find a mayo that meets my limitations

[mushroom]

I have found this tuna but still cant find a mayo that meets my limitations

I have basically given up mayo now. I never did use it much (growing up in a non-mayo household) and my most common use was on a BLT (without the T but with avocado). So now I just mash the avocado on the toasted bread in place of the mayo with a little seasoning and omit the mayo altogether. And I have reverted to using a butter spread instead of mayo on other sandwiches (the way me mum did it ), putting cream or sour cream in devilled egg, etc., etc. I wish someone would make a mayo without soybean oil/canola oil, malt vinegar. It really isn't necessary, ya know? I know I can make my own but I already make so much of my own stuff it's just an unnecessary step too far for me somehow.

[bridgetm]

I have found this tuna but still cant find a mayo that meets my limitations

I use Ojai Cook's lemonaise. It's a little more tangy than the Miracle Whip I was used to, but since I've been trying to limit fat also that means I can get more flavor for less. The ingredients for the original flavor: pure expeller pressed canola oil, water, whole eggs, creole mustard (distilled vinegar, water, mustard seed, salt and spices), lemon juice concentrate, egg yolks, salt, distilled vinegar, garlic and cayenne pepper.

Open Original Shared Link