We’ve been getting a lot of e-mail lately at Allergic Living magazine from readers asking: what do you think about the Canadian Transportation Agency’s decision that Air Canada must accommodate peanut and tree nut allergies? Does it go far enough? And then Air Canada responded to the CTA, and that brought more mail: What do you [...]

  This issue marks Allergic Living’s fifth anniversary. Yippee for us – and heartfelt thanks to all of you loyal readers. To be honest, back in the drawing board stages, before our first issue was published in May 2005, there were doubters. First, launching a magazine of any description had its risks. Were we, excuse the [...]

Q Our 18-month-old daughter is allergic to cow’s milk. I’m somewhat confused about what to use in its place. Does it depend on her age? Can you help? A It’s common for parents to be concerned about a child’s nutrition with an allergy to cow’s milk, since it’s a source of calcium, vitamin D and [...]

Q My daughter is allergic to eggs. Should I use a store-bought egg replacer, or is it better to make my own substitute? Do you know of any good homemade egg substitutes? A Eggs perform different functions in various types of food, so choosing one egg substitute over another really depends on what you’re making. [...]

Q: I’ve been diagnosed with dermatitis herpetiformis. How is it related to celiac disease? A: Dermatitis herpetiformis is a skin disease caused by an intolerance to gluten. It is a form of celiac disease, the inherited autoimmune intestinal disorder that affects between one in 100 and one in 200 people worldwide. Gluten, found in the [...]

Q: I’ve heard that quinoa is a good gluten alternative. But what is it, and what kind of dishes would I use it in? A: Quinoa (pronounced “keen-wah”) was a staple of the Incas who called it “the mother grain”. It is not actually a grain but a seed from a broad-leafed plant that is [...]

Q: I have been hearing more about celiac disease, and wonder if I may have it. What exactly is celiac, and how is it diagnosed? A: Celiac disease, also known as celiac sprue or gluten sensitive enteropathy, is an inherited digestive disorder affecting between one in 100 and one in 200 people worldwide. With this [...]

Q: I’ve heard many people on a gluten-free diet don’t get enough vitamins, minerals and fibre. How do you avoid this? A: Gluten-free diets can be limited in variety, with white-rice bread, rice cakes, rice crackers and white rice as staples. Also, many commercial gluten-free products such as breads, cereals, pasta and flours are low [...]

Recipe courtesy of Girma Sahlu and Ethiopia Sahlu Makes 1 Loaf/24 Slices Gluten-free Ingredients 2 tbsp (30 mL) yeast (2 packages) 6 1/2 cups (1.6 L) warm water 1 1/2 lbs. (680 kg) teff flour (about 4 1/2 cups or 1 L) Method Dissolve the yeast in 1⁄4 cup (60 mL) water. Combine the teff flour, yeast [...]

Q I’m new to celiac disease. Does my whole kitchen need to be gluten-free to prevent cross-contamination? A Following a strict gluten-free diet can be challenging whether you’re away from home or in your own kitchen. While it’s not necessary for everyone in the household to go on a gluten-free diet or to eliminate gluten-containing [...]