Recipes

Recipes for Mast Cell Activation are guidelines.  Everyone is going to have their own individual triggers and things they need to avoid.  The 'diet' for Mast Cell Diseases lists many, many things that may trigger Mast Cell Activation.  The reality is we are each individually affected.  Some people may have one or two foods that trigger symptoms, others may have a seemingly endless list of trigger foods.  My list of trigger foods is a long one.  

My recipes are based off my many, many, specific triggers.  I do not follow a Mast Cell 'Diet', but when I first found the list of possible trigger foods and compared it to my growing list of 'sensitivities', it validated my experiences.  The list did not change anything. It did not make foods not on the list suddenly safe, and it did not make foods on the list suddenly unsafe. I view it as an affirmation of my struggles. When a new reaction surfaces and I think 'potato? who could possibly have a reaction to something as benign as potato?', consulting the list helps me to accept the circumstance and move on... 'ok, what can I substitute in my menu for this...'

Keep in mind the need for good nutrition outweighs the need for a 'substitute'.  I have many recipes for sweets and treats because those are the things you just need every now and then. Life needs to be worth living after all, and any time you feel deprivation you are not living life to the fullest.  Realize though, that cooking everything from scratch is extremely hard when you are suffering from fatigue and weakness. (Check out topics here for shortcuts and helps for cooking with fatigue.) Outside of the occasional indulgence you need to develop a new palate and focus on nutrition.  Cutting out processed foods may or may not be hard for you.  Understand that as hard as it is in the beginning, after only a few weeks your tastes change. And after a few months you begin to notice how many 'old' foods are made with too much sugar or salt.  Eating well can help to make you feel better.  It is not a cure, as there are many other things going on in your body completely unrelated to food.

All of my recipes are also designed with adaptations for those with allergies to the top 8 food allergens so they are a great resource for people with food allergies as well.

Please be sure to consult with each individual on their specific needs before cooking.