Spice things up by inviting Italy into the kitchen

One of the challenges you face when you have phenylketonuria is to constantly reinvent yourself in the kitchen. And it’s not easy! We are very limited in the foods we can eat, so it’s easy to fall into the habit of eating the same thing on a regular basis. This is even more true when you have a very busy lifestyle. We pick a few simple low protein meals or snacks and eat them repeatedly.

Over time, that can become a problem. Are your key meals healthy? Or do they contain too much sugar and too many carbohydrates? We are already limited, do we really want to restrict ourselves more?

Here are some tips:

• Have a plan! Every Sunday, my wife and I plan in advance what we are going to eat for dinner, which guarantees a good variety in addition to allowing us to buy only what we need at the grocery store (and that way, we save money).
• Think “formula”! Getting into the habit of drinking your nutritional formula before a meal has many benefits. It will help you feel full (so you will be less tempted to eat a large portion) and it allows you to take a moment to think about what to cook.
• Know how to cook! I’ve covered this before in this article: The Most Convenient Gift. However, I am aware that juggling foods and spices may not be for everyone. Indeed, it is much easier when you have a cookbook in your hands. 😉

This is why I would like to invite you to discover a little gem, the recipe book inspired by Italian cuisine from Nutricia. It’s filled with great and easy-to-make little recipes with low protein foods. I’ve tried a few before, including the famous Spaghetti with Garlic and Oil. I also made a version with real pasta for the rest of the family and I can tell you that everyone enjoyed it! The book is well structured, contains a wide variety of recipes (for all tastes) and will help you prepare a complete meal:

• Appetizers
• Main dishes
• Sauces
• Desserts

I’m sure you are hungry now. 🙂

Are you interested in this cookbook? You can download it online easily here. However, if you would like a hard copy, you can contact Nutricia by email at canada.metabolics@nutricia.com.

This article is presented in collaboration with Nutricia North America, but the ideas and recommendations are mine.