When you are diagnosed with food allergies it’s easy to shift your focus to just making sure you’re avoiding the foods that are unsafe for you, rather than ensuring you are getting adequate nutrition.  However, when you start limiting specific food categories from your diet, it becomes even more important to make sure you are getting an adequate balance of nutrients.

Here’s five tips to help you stay on track:

1. Be Proactive: Plan meals ahead of time and always keep healthy snacks available.

2. Make a List:  Even though your diet is restricted, there are still many healthy and delicious alternatives out there… some of which you’ve probably never even tried or heard of.  Do some research and create a list of healthy food ideas that are safe for you.  Keep the list somewhere handy and refer to it often to keep variety in your diet.

3. Fresh Fruits & Vegetables:  Focus on eating as many fresh fruits and vegetables as possible.  Learn how to plant a garden so you can save costs on growing your own and control what types of chemicals are used on your food.

4. Expert Help:  Talk to your doctor about your diet and seek help from a registered dietitian who can help you create customized meal plans.

5. Online Resources:  Start with the Rate Your Plate quiz by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics to find out how well you are doing already, then visit ChooseMyPlate.gov for a host of ideas, tools and resources.