Onion Substitutions?

Personal experiences with diet as a means of controling the symptoms of Microscopic Colitis and related issues, should be posted here.

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Gloria
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Onion Substitutions?

Post by Gloria »

I'm pretty sure that onions are a problem for me. Unfortunately, all but one of my main dish recipes use onions. I found this onion substitution list:
Substitutes: white bulbs of leeks OR shallots OR green onions (Cook these for no more than a minute.) OR chopped daikon (salt and rinse first if serving raw) OR garlic OR asafoetida powder (This Indian spice has a strong, pungent flavor and is used as an onion substitute by people who can't eat them for religious reasons.) OR fresh herbs
I use yellow onions, which apparently have more sulfur than other varieties. Is it possible that I'm intolerant to the sulfur and using another type would be OK?

Do any of you use shallots or leeks in place of onions? I looked at the list of food intolerances and didn't find anyone else who is intolerant to onions. Is anyone else? If so, what do you use instead? Does the intolerance go away after you are healed?

Gloria
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tex
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Post by tex »

Gloria wrote:I looked at the list of food intolerances and didn't find anyone else who is intolerant to onions. Is anyone else? If so, what do you use instead? Does the intolerance go away after you are healed?
Good questions. Yes, onions bothered me, (and I believe, a lot of other members), when I was recovering, but I never was sure why. To be honest, I don't know if I'm intolerant of them or not, because when I realized that they were making me feel bad, I simply stopped eating them, and I haven't had the urge to try them, since I've healed. Like bread, I finally just lost interest in them.

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Gloria
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Post by Gloria »

Tex,
Thank you for letting me know that an onion problem is not that unusual. My dilemma now is how to find a soup broth that doesn't contain onions. Soup is one of three meals I rotate for lunch.

I'm not having a terrible reaction to them, but I'm still taking 1 Entocort pill every other day. I've noticed some deterioration in my stool the day after I've eaten a small amount. I still have the goal of getting completely off the Entocort, and I think I need to have all my reactions resolved before I try again.

Gloria
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Courtney
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Post by Courtney »

Gloria,

I just figured out that not only onions (which I was already avoiding bc they are irritating to even healthy guts), but also anything in the onion family (leeks, garlic, shallots, green onions etc) appears to be a problem for me. Because I'm not in remission yet, I have cut all of that out for now. If I ever get better, I'll try them again. Meanwhile, I'll try to share any good substitutes I find.

Love,
Courtney
Hypothyroid 05/05
LC/CC 07/08
Celiac 07/08
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Gloria
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Post by Gloria »

Courtney,

Thank you for sharing your experience. I'm about to make some tomato soup using dehydrated chives. It would be great if they're a suitable substitute because I have a couple of plants in my garden. I'll let you know if I react.

Gloria
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Post by Faerenach »

Try fennel. In pasta or risotto, roasted or sauteed. I swear, I didn't know it could be so tasty.
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mbeezie
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Post by mbeezie »

Gloria,

Leeks are on your MRT (left column on the bottom) - how reactive were you? They are a great option, but they are in the same family. You won't know until you try.

Fennel bulb is a good option as well. Chop is like onion and it cooks down like onions. It's a different botanical family so it may work.

Mary Beth
"If you believe it will work out, you'll see opportunities. If you believe it won't you will see obstacles." - Dr. Wayne Dyer
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Gloria
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Post by Gloria »

This was an old post - I had forgotten about it.

Mary Beth,

My MRT test results show both leeks and onions are not reactive. Recently I've had onion in guacamole at a Mexican restaurant and I didn't react. It's another food item I need to test more fully.


Faerenach,

Thanks for the suggestion about fennel. I'll have to try it sometime.

Gloria
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mbeezie
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Post by mbeezie »

Ah - didn't catch the date. You may actually do fine with onions.

Mary Beth
"If you believe it will work out, you'll see opportunities. If you believe it won't you will see obstacles." - Dr. Wayne Dyer
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