February 6, 2012

Snacks for the Nightshade Sensitive (aka: Potato, Tomato, Pepper Free Snacks)

If you are Nightshade Allergic or Sensitive than you know all about the ridiculously hard task of finding savoury snacks that are Potato Free, Tomato Free and Pepper Free. It seems that everything in the snack world contains one, if not all three of these devious ingredients. Of course, I use the word devious in jest, but in all honestly, in our Western society we weight so heavily on the nightshades that I truly pity anyone who is sensitive! Sooo, today I want to talk about a few snack options (more in the crisp department) that are somewhat readily available in Dublin/Ireland for Nightshade Free, Gluten Free, Dairy Free and Vegan snackers...

RW Garcia Organic Blue Maize Tortilla Chips
If you have copper toxicity then Blue Maize Tortilla Chips are actually a recommended snack! And to that I say Yay!! Finally something is recommended to eat that I actually love! They are more expensive than yellow tortillas, as expected, but they have a richer lovelier taste that is simply the business. You will find blue tortillas in some gourmet grocers but I got these ones in Holland & Barrett on Grafton Street.

- Gluten Free
- Wheat Free
- Dairy Free (note: Made in a facility that uses Dairy)
- Nightshade Free
- Potato Free
- Tomato Free
- Pepper Free
- Tree Nut Free
- Peanut Free
- Soya Free (note: Made in a facility that uses Soya)
- Vegan
- Vegetarian
- Organic

Ingredients: Stone ground blue maize* (80%), Sunflower oil*, Sea Salt
Allergy Information: Made in a facility that uses dairy, soy and sesame seeds.


Hale & Hearty Beautifully Barbecues Cassava Crisps
New on the block is Hale & Hearty’s crisps which substitute Potato for Cassava (also called Yuca. More familiarly used in the form of Tapioca). I had read all about attempts at making common Potato products with Cassava which is a long tuberous root with similar qualities, unrelated to the Nightshade family but Hale & Hearty’s Cassava crisps were the first commercial product that I tried (my Nightshade Free Mom and I had previously made a few DIY attempts). The crisps are very crunchy and the seasoning is a bit more sweet than I would ideally want but they have received two Great Taste awards in 2010 and a Shortlisted place in the 2011 Free From Food Awards. If I were to compare them with something I would say Baked Potato Crisps, as available in Marks & Spencers. I got these Hale & Hearty Cassava crisps in Down to Earth on South Great Georges Street.


- Gluten Free
- Wheat Free
- Dairy Free
- Nightshade Free
- Potato Free
- Tomato Free
- Pepper Free
- Soya Free
- Vegan




Ingredients: Cassava (66.5%), Unrefined palm oil, sea salt, sugar, tapioca maltodextrin, natural flavourings, yeast extract, garlic powder, onion powder


Neal’s Yard Toasted Corn Snacks
My sister discovered these little treats a while back in Holland & Barrett. They’re cheap, filling and Allergen Free with only three ingredients to talk about - can a snack get better? The best part for me is that they naturally taste like they’re covered in a seasoning of some sort but there actually isn't anything but salt! Holland & Barrett do sell a spicy seasoned version of these Toasted Corn Snacks but they contain Nightshade ingredients and, although they are nice, the original is perfectly satisfying. Recently I also found a version of Toasted Corn Snacks in the Asia Market on Drury Street (Dublin 2) which are basically the same product although the corn kernels are larger and a bit harder to crunch - but still a great snack!

- Gluten Free
- Wheat Free
- Dairy Free
- Corn Free
- Nightshade Free
- Potato Free
- Tomato Free
- Pepper Free
- Mustard Free
- Celery Free
- Soya Free
- Vegan
- Vegetarian

Ingredients: Maize, Sunflower Oil, Salt
Allergy Information: This product is packed in a factory where nuts, peanuts and sesame seeds are handled.


Tyrell’s Beetroot Crisps
If corn is a problem for you, you should check out Tyrell’s alternative crisps. My favourite flavour is Beetroot, which tastes WAY better than it sounds. Tyrell’s also do a triple Root Veg pack containing carrots, parsnips and beetroot as well as a Parsnip only pack (mind the ingredients on this one, as it’s different from the root veg pack). Tyrell’s also makes potato crisps but I’ve never actually tried them. However, I will say that the packaging is great - especially the salt and vinegar bag! The Allergy Free status on Tyrell’s is a pick finicky because they have a warning stating: Packed in a factory that handles Milk, Soya, Mustard and Gluten and I assume that the same factory also packs their Potato, Tomato and Pepper products so depending on your sensitivity/allergy take care when purchasing/consuming.

Ingredients: Beetroot, Sunflower oil, Sea Salt
Allergy Information: Packed in a factory that handles Milk, Soya, Mustard and Gluten

No comments: