I often have to remind myself that I live in a lucky country. Where medical care is free, the unemployed are supported and the basic wage is enough for most people to make ends meet.

But in the middle of all that we have, we still often need to deal with real issues that can get us down. The last three or more years, my first world problem has been a growing intolerance to FODMAPs and the limitations that puts on my day to day eating and overall well-being.

The more I talk about it with people, the more I discover that so many others have food intolerances. This really shouldn’t surprise me since my youngest son was lactose intolerant and became allergic to salicylates quite young, but the scope of the intolerances is so broad that it has become a very intriguing subject for me.

When you have food intolerances, eating out becomes difficult. I used to mock the V & GF symbols on menus until it wasn’t funny anymore. Now, if the restaurant doesn’t have these symbols on the menu I usually don’t even bother to go in and ask about possible GF options.

The only food I really miss is a cinnamon donut. Crazy I know, but even GF donuts seem to have Soy and Soy is just as back, if not worse, for those allergic to FODMAPs. I’ve invented and adapted some great recipes over the years, but I think I might need to spend a bit of time developing a GF, Soy Free donut dough to satisfy my craving.

Fortunately there is more awareness of food allergies now and there are some great off the shelf alternatives, but nothing beats a few home made recipes.

If you are GF or FODMAP intolerant, I’d love to hear your recipes and if you have one for donuts, please! please! let me know.