The creation of a Special Diets
Notebook will enable you to stay
organized with your unique diet.
You can track the foods that are
suitable for your diet, manage
your own supply of foods, and
keep a record of everything you
are eating. This is the first
step in taking control of your
restricted diet instead of
feeling out of control by the
whole process. Remember, the
more organized you can become
with your diet the better you
will feel mentally and
physically.
You can use any binder or spiral
book. Over time you may
accumulate more information than
will fit in one notebook, so you
may use separate binders or an
accordion file. Here are the
basic sections to create in your
notebook:
Personal
Information
This is a brief
section that details problem and
questionable ingredients. This
list will help clarify your diet
and can assist you in shopping
for foods. You can also provide
this list to others who assist
in your food preparation (such
as traveling, dining out, or
hospital stays).
Here is an example of a chart
you might create to track your
diet. Problem ingredients are
any items that you must
eliminate from your diet due to
allergy, intolerance, or
condition. Questionable
ingredients are any food items
that you are unsure if you can
safely consume. The Safe
Ingredients column is also for
highlighting any items that you
are certain are suitable for
your diet (and your favorites).
Food
Sensitivity Chart
|
Ingredients |
Problem Ingredients |
Questionable Ingredients |
Safe
Ingredients |
|
Fruits |
Strawberries |
Citrus |
Bananas |
|
Vegetables |
Beans |
Cucumber |
|
|
Seeds
& Nuts |
|
|
|
|
Grains |
Wheat/Gluten |
Corn |
Rice
Millet |
|
Fats &
Oils |
|
|
|
Meats
(Beef, Poultry, Pork,
Lamb) |
Beef
Eggs |
|
Pork
Chicken
Turkey |
|
Seafood |
Shellfish |
|
Cod |
|
Dairy |
All Dairy |
|
|
|
Beverages |
Coffee
(Caffeine) |
|
Tea |
|
Herbs
& Spices |
|
Garlic |
|
|
Artificial Ingredients |
Dyes |
|
|
|
Sweets |
Chocolate |
|
Carob |
|
Other |
Yeast |
|
|
Information
As you research
your condition and diet you will
acquire some information that is
relevant to keeping in the
notebook. Some information might
include cooking tips, utilizing
special flours and substitutions
in cooking, as well as how to
manage your condition.
Therefore, this is your
reference section.
Recipes
Store your most
used recipes and cooking
experiments here. It is advised
to print or write one recipe per
side of page. This is important
so you can make notes when
experimenting with a new recipe
and write down any modifications
you want to make to the recipe.
Products
There are many publications and
websites that keep track of
allergy-safe foods, as well as,
your own research from
manufacturers on what is safe to
eat. Keep a list of all products
that are available for purchase
in this section so you have an
idea of what to look for when
shopping. Also, keep a list of
manufacturers phone
numbers/websites to have as a
reference.
Create a Safe Foods List to
include in your notebook. This
list should include all
manufactured foods that are
acceptable for your special
diet. Construct your list by
grouping products by similar
product type. State the brand
and item name. You may also want
to add the store where you
purchase the product. Here is an
example of a Safe Foods List
layout:
Safe Foods
List
|
Baking
Ingredients |
Bakery
Items
(Breads, Muffins,
Rolls, etc.) |
Beverages |
Breakfast Foods
& Cereals |
|
Miss Roben's Flours
Dixie
Crystals Sugar
|
Kinnikinnick Rice
Bread
Ener-G
Yeast-Free Brown Rice
Bread
|
Celestial
Seasonings Peppermint
Tea
Martinelli's Apple Juice
|
Gluten-Free Pantry Rice
Cereal |
|
Candy &
Sweets |
Canned
Foods |
Condiments,
Dressings, & Oils |
Dairy |
Carob Powder
Tropical
Source |
Health
Valley Chicken Broth
|
Annie's
Naturals Dressings
Muir Glen
Ketchup
|
Pacific Foods Rice
Drink |
Deli
Meats
& Cheeses |
Desserts
& Pastries |
Dry
Foods
(Grains, Pasta,
Rice, Mixes) |
Ethnic
Foods |
Applegate Farms Roasted
Turkey
Soya Kaas
|
Natural
Feast Pies
Enjoy Life Cookies
|
Minute
Brown Rice
Tinkyada
Pasta |
Muir
Glen Pasta Sauce |
|
Frozen
Foods |
Fruits
& Vegetables |
Fresh
Meats,
Poultry, & Seafood |
Personal
Care |
Tofutti
Desserts
Van's
Waffles |
Earthbound Farms Produce |
Honeysuckle White Turkey
Shelton's
Chicken
|
Tom's
of Maine Toothpaste
|
Seasonings
& Flavorings |
Snacks
(Chips, Crackers,
Cookies, etc.) |
Vitamins
& Supplements |
Other |
Mr.
Spice
|
Cheecha
Crackles
Terra
Chips |
Freeda
Chewables
|
|
Inventory
After a short time of cooking
for your special diet you will
notice certain foods you buying
on a regular basis. Write a list
and track the inventory on your
supply. This will help you when
shopping to save time and money
(especially in regards to mail
ordering and shipping costs).
Keep your inventory list in a
convenient spot, such as on the
fridge or inside the pantry. If
your list is handy you are more
likely to check off items as
they are consumed and keep the
list updated.
Create Your Own Notebook
It's easy to make your own
notebook now with ready-made
forms from SDRG. Just print out
these .pdf files and place into
any kind of binder.
Adobe Acrobat Reader is
required (freeware).
