Low FODMAP lattes (and why catering for special diets is only the beginning)

Update: Rice milk has now been found to be high in oligosaccharides, despite rice itself being low in FODMAPs. Personally, I cope alright with this type of FODMAP (I'm not too sensitive to oligos) but if you're on the exclusion phase, rice milk is no longer suitable. Instead, I recommend So Good soy milk (made with soy protein, not the bean) or almond milk.

Looking for a low-FODMAP latte? Have found the cafe for you!

I like coffee. I mean I really like coffee. And since I started my low-FODMAP diet, I have been drinking it black (lactose is not my friend, cafes use high-FODMAP soy milk, and almond milk hasn't yet been tested).  

I love my morning Americanos. And I happen to drink the best coffee in town. But black coffee is a very no-nonsense way to drink your coffee. 

A flat white will wake you up by gently nudging your brain into action. Black coffee pulls you out of bed, throws you against the wall, and shakes you violently into frantic alertness. 

This is exactly what I want - ok, need - on a Monday morning. But it isn't quite what I'm after on a quiet Saturday. 

Which is why it is so exciting that we discovered Deluxe today during our morning stroll to Moore Wilson's. 

Deluxe is a small, hipster cafe that serves Havana coffee. And, you guessed it, they offer rice milk (!!). 

Now, other cafes in Wellington may also serve rice milk (if you know of any, I'd love to hear about them). But Deluxe is the only one I have ever seen advertise it. 

Asking for special ingredients can be annoying and embarrassing. Especially rice milk. It is a level of coffee-fussiness that doesn't even make the what-your-coffee-order-says-about-you list.

Cafes - if you cater for dietary requirements, you have to make it known. It is not enough to cater to us. Seriously, it isn't. If people on special diets don't even get a mention on your blackboard, it isn't inclusive. It just reinforces stigma around alternative diets, which are often related to very serious health issues. It is really important to remember that many of us who are on special diets don't have a choice about it. 

I care much more about feeling welcome than I do about having rice milk in my coffee. 

And for that reason, Deluxe has won my heart. And my weekend patronage. 

Me and my rice milk flat white.

Update: Apparently Coffee Culture in Timaru offers rice milk (I'm not sure about the other Coffee Culture stores).

Taking me back to my gluten days

The closest us gluten-free kids might ever get to KFC: Rick Grant's chicken seasoning mix.

Plus - you guessed it - it's low-FODMAP (finding products like this without onion and garlic in them is actually quite incredible).

                             

All you need to do is whip up the batter, coat, shallow fry, bake and serve. (For the full experience, deep frying is optional - though it really isn't necessary.) 

This little number will take you back to your good old gluten days - only without the heinous stomach problems, gut damage, and tiredness. 

In fact, I'd even recommend this little gem for people who aren't gluten free. Let's be honest, fried chicken is going to test the stomachs of even the most gluten-tolerant of us. And it's low fructose, dairy, egg, and soy free. (I'm going to take a punt here and guess that the secret ingredient is salt.)

Whip this up and you'll have yourself a tasty, nostalgic dinner - only with zero fuss and zero gluten.

Pair it with Lingham's chilli sauce (low-FODMAP and gluten free), and you'll have yourself a spicy, tasty treat.

Fried chicken with, rice, bok choy, carrots, and a splash of chilli sauce. 

You can get these sachets through New World, but you may have to ask someone to order it in for you (sadly, New World Thorndon hasn't responded to the email I sent them about it...). 

We've checked out all the supermarkets in Wellington trying to find it, but to no avail. So if anyone happens to come across this little treasure, I'd love to know. 

This sachet was sourced in Christchurch (thanks, Carol!), so stock up next time you are visiting!