Fructose Malabsorption!!! My recent attempt to reintroduce some foods has NOT been successful, so for now it's back to basics.
A trip to San Francisco on Virgin Atlantic(great airline) confirmed the necessity of always bringing food. There was very little I could eat (Because wheat is a fructan I cant have it, so SOME gluten free foods work well) The gluten free crackers that came with the veggies and dip were delicious! And the veggies were great! But the hummus and curry dips did not come with an ingredient list and I indulged anyways! My guess is there was onion or garlic in one or both and I suffered for days!!!
When my daughter flew up from LA we eagerly set out deciding which vegan friendly restaurant we would visit, would it be Millenium, Greens or Cafe Gratitude? Due to torrential rain, we settled on the closest, Cafe Gratitude. It was a bit challenging to find something without onion, garlic, apple cider vinegar or agave, and very disappointing that there was not one dessert without agave or honey! The vegan thing and eating out just does not work for a fructmal! I ended up with a veggie tamale, black bean, a salad instead of the coleslaw, and some awesome cashew cheese sauce! My daughter had the same with the Mexican cilantro coleslaw which was pronounced delish!!!
The Ferry Building was delightful, the shops and the aromas so inviting. Farm Fresh to you provided enough take out to carry me through a few days of hotel meeting and conference foods, and I did indulge in a gluten free goodie from Mariposa Bakery.
My lesson - next time rent a car!!!!
More places I liked, Bird Pick in Pasadena for the great iced teas, Eple at the LA farmer's Market for juices that I could have(kiwi) and Hugo's for some gluten and fructose free friendly meals.
My absolute favorite restaurant (as of June 2010). Celebrity sightings abound so I have been told, but I was unaware - it was all about the food. From the appetizer, a sweet potato something, to my daughter's noodles, to my vegan blt wrap - couldnt eat the wrap-RFD PLEEZ get gluten free wraps - it was a delight. I LOVE tempeh bacon when it's done right, and this was so good I went back twice this trip to have more.
.JPG)
RawVolution in Santa Monica!! How I loved you from afar, ordered your food, and dreamt of the day I could visit. And when the day came, alas, with a fructose malabsorption, there was almost nothing I could have! All your treats contained the dreaded agave nectar or honey. I did indulge in an almond milk which was, sorry to say, a total disappointment. My own is much better.
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
Looking at this photo and comparing it to a more recent one, it's like night and day as far as how healthy I look. This was at the beginning - my diagnosis, depression and fear of food. At the wonderful Urth Cafe in Santa Monica I had small dishes of beans(which don't bother me in moderation - but if you are fructose intolerant better check it out before eating in a restaurant), avocado, rice and cheese(took a lactaid) and had on lettuce as they didnt have corn tortillas. It was great! And was the beginning of thinking - yes, maybe I can do this. Drinking ice tea which is my staple in restaurants as well as sparkling water.
