Comfort food when ill

[Julesboz]

Hi all, I've been lactose and soya intolerant for years. Then 6 months ago I became gluten intolerant and had to give up dairy completely (not just lactose). I don't really eat a lot of processed GF foods, so I hardly ever eat bread etc now, i.e. I've changed the way I eat for the better. So far it's actually been easier than I expected until the last few days. I have flu, with a raging temperature and feel absolutely terrible! I can't face eating meals but need something and this is where I've found being GF hard. When I was ill previously I'd eat toast with butter and bovril/marmite. Unfortunately I can't eat any of those things now, I can do GF toast, but I hate dairy free spread and can't find any savoury spreads to replace bovril/marmite. Anyone got any suggestions for easy snacky, savoury GF, diary free comfort food when you're ill?

[Lisahelen]

You can get own brand versions of marmite, i think its tesco but could be morrisons which is safe. I dont have it in my store cupboard to check as im not a lover.

[Julesboz in reply to Lisahelen]

Ok thanks, I'll have a look. Strangely if you look on celiac websites bovril is listed as GF food but when you look at the ingredients label on the pot barley is clearly mentioned. Confusing!

[Cooper27 in reply to Julesboz]

Sometimes places use barley malt extract, and the amount of extract is so small the product remains below the 20ppm threshold, allowing it to be classed as GF. Apparently Kellogg's cornflakes and Tesco own brand both use barley malt extract, but Kellogg's are over 20ppm, while Tesco are just below the 20ppm, technically making the GF.

Also, distilled barley malt vinegar is GF, because the distilling process removes the gluten, so if that is where the barley comes from, you're ok.

[Venicefan]

Hi. I eat Kallo organic gluten free rice cakes with either organic humus or peanut butter. I find them very satisfying

[Julesboz in reply to Venicefan]

Oh that's a good idea, thanks for that!

[Knip in reply to Venicefan]

Morrison's rice cakes are even better if you are lucky enough to live near one of their stores. Much lighter...delicious. I go along with the things that you have suggested, they go easy on the intestines and the humous is good for us. x

[Nawalsaleh]

How about coconut spread, delicious and healthy.

[Julesboz in reply to Nawalsaleh]

Thanks, I love coconut, but I find it's quite sweet. So if I'm in a sweet tooth mood it's great but I really can't find a good savoury alternative.

[Cooper27]

I was ill just a couple of weeks ago and had the same problem - coupled with how expensive toast costs when you're GF. Could you stomach toast and jam?

I ate huge amounts of popcorn, microwave rice and toast, and eventually progressed to small amounts of pizza, carrots and sweets. They also recommend stewed apples/apple sauce and bananas when you have flu.

[Julesboz in reply to Cooper27]

Yes I did end up having toast and jam in the end but didn't really enjoy it as I fancied something savoury, like bovril. It's funny how your body reacts to flu, I normally eat loads and eat anything and everything but I can hardly stomach anything at the moment. Stewed apples actually sounds quite appealing though! Thanks and thanks for your reply re barley appearing in ingredients lists. I did a bit of reading and it would seem that bovril used to be GF but isn't any more. I think a complaint to the makers may be in order

[aidyfrew]

Hi Julesboz.... I recently made these potato and bacon bites from this recipe incase you want to try as a nice quick easy to make savoury snack.

thekitchn.com/party-recipe-...

[Julesboz in reply to aidyfrew]

Oooh that sounds delicious thanks!! Anything with bacon is great!