The Fig App

[Harmony33]

Hello All,

I recently discovered this start up, created by a team of people with multiple food allergies. Like us, their actual allergies and intolerances are each different from each other. Even the free version is helpful with grocery shopping.

https://foodisgood.com/

Hope this helps!

Harmony

[Marcia K]

Thanks for sharing! I was just reading about someone's vacation to Spain and how many fully gf restaurants there are there. Why is the USA so far behind?!

[Gabes-Apg]

Marcia
my thoughts on why USA maybe behind

1. I find that gluten free options are easier to find in tourist localities.
non tourist dollar the demand for eating out is not as high (especially since Covid)

2. mainstream medicine does not acknowledge the importance of diet regarding health issues. - functional medicine has a stronger acceptance in Europe and Australia. Whole food eating habits (avoiding processed foods, gluten and dairy) has a greater focus and acceptance outside the USA

3. not directly related but it has impact food, medication and supplement labelling laws are MUCH stricter in countries outside of the USA. There are many products on Iherb that are banned to be shipped to Australia as the labelling on the product does not meet our strict labelling laws.
USA restaurants may struggle to get ingredients / items that they can advertise as Gluten Free from suppliers.


In Australia - most of the cheaper type eating venues, a key part of the gluten free menu will be a salad with chicken and/or shell fish based dish.
some of them do not have many other Gluten free options other than this
in MC world this does not work for me as I cant do salad and do not eat shell fish.
very likely it is not cost effective to have a seperate preparation area to do anything more interesting

[Marcia K]

Hi, Gabes. You're spot on. I think many Americans want their food quickly and don't want to take the time that is necessary to prepare healthy food. I can't eat salad, either and that does limit many choices when dining out. Last weekend we dined out at a restaurant that has a gf menu. I had haddock, plain baked potato & steamed broccoli. I felt okay afterwards but I had terrible gas for the rest of the evening. I don't know what caused it, but I doubt that I'll be going there again. I'll keep dreaming of the day when we'll be able to enjoy a wider selection of food.

[tex]

Marcia,

Broccoli, and other crucible vegetables are notorious for causing gas issues, but they also contain compounds that are known to help prevent cancer. All foods seem to have beneficial effects that are offset by negative effects, adding complication to the process of selecting ideal foods.

Tex

[Marcia K]

Hi, Tex. I eat broccoli almost every day, so I don't believe it caused the gas. I can no longer tolerate cauliflower. It bloats me terribly. I don't know if it was something on the haddock. It would be nice if we knew the cause of our issues!