Low histamine Christmas ideas 😕

[HannahDefoesChristmasHamper]

A niche thread for the histamine intolerant or those wondering how to cater for a guest.

We're overspilling from the Poncetastic thread so as not to dampen the enthusiasm there for wine, chocolate and ripe cheese!

@MNWineDrinker
To answer your question about Christmas dinner, I cheerfully booked an M&S slot only to realise that the fresh food is essentially ready meals which I try to avoid as much as possible.
I may buy cauliflower cheese for the family as I won't be eating that but obviously don't need a click and collect slot for that!

I was thinking of buying a frozen turkey crown as it won't take as long to defrost and will be frozen (obviously) so lower histamine.

Last Christmas I was still vegetarian but have packed that in after many years as it was all too restrictive so now eat fish and chicken. I would eat unaged beef as well but it gives me insomnia.

It's a tough gig being sensitive isn't it?

I may have got this wrong as I’m not on a low histamine diet myself, but if pears are safe, this recipe is lovely and in the spirit of the poncetastic thread: https://www.cottagesmallholder.com/bottled-fruit-belgian-pears-recipe-101/

Thank you for sharing that @Notmynameactually

Poached pears are great and still feel like a treat. I'd have to go easy on the vinegar, using a bit of cider vinegar instead maybe, and not keeping for too long.

I see one of the comments said the sauce went toffee like which can only be a good thing ❤️

Hello! 👋

I think we talked about setting up a thread this time last year didn't we @HannahDefoesChristmasHamper so thank you so much for this.

I'm going to have a read through what's been posted already and pop back later with any useful insights I may have. I've been low histamine and FODMAP since being refereed to Immunology and then allergy dietitian in 2021. Essentially, I have MCAS, but the NHS don't really like to acknowledge it as such. (I also have EDS and it tends to be a co-morbidity)

@Notmynameactually I always forget about pears! My DD actually calls them the Forgotten Fruit as we cheerfully stroll past them in the supermarket, remark how nice they look (at this time of year), but still don't buy them. I actually have two pear trees in my garden. One has lots of small pears on and one has one large singular pear. I actually took a photograph of it last night as the sun was setting and as I went back in the house I thought Why didn't I just pick it. I will therefore try that recipe and it shall be the Pear of Honour

Thank you so much for setting up the thread!

Sorry to hear that @RainbowZebraWarrior . I was referred to immunology in Spring this year after months of unexplained hives and swelling etc, but apparently there is only one NHS immunologist for the whole of Scotland, so other than drugs, there isn't much they can do to help me. I have a private doctor now who recommended the diet changes, and it does seem to help, but hopefully short(er) term for me. I'm still new to this and finding it confusing, and Christmas food seems to all be off the list 🙃

I think a frozen turkey crown is a good idea, I guess the timing might be tricky, but it would be nice to cook a whole roast, not just a breast or something. I'm pretty bored of chicken breast!

I'm wondering about making some kind of spiced custard (cardamom & ginger maybe), and then serving that alongside christmas pudding, but I'll just have custard with some fruit maybe. Poached pears sound delicious and very festive.

How about christmas morning breakfast? I tend to make cinnamon rolls or a strata the day before and reheat while the DC tear into stockimgs, but those will be off the menu this year too.

@HannahDefoesChristmasHamper I also excitedly booked my M&S slot yesterday morning and scrolled through in a panic thinking 'I don't want / can't eat any of this' I think it's just bloody FOMO. I should realise that I've been here so many time and felt like I was missing out so threw caution to the wind in an act of rebellion, only to realise that self sabotage isn't fun. I therefore have many notes going back years in my Christmas journal where things get crossed off the food list and a note made never to try them again. You're right though, it's all just ready meals.

One of the things I've noticed is that I can try a small amount of something I love and not really be affected by it as long as I'm very careful with everything else that day (the histamine bucket thing) It is, however, like Russian roulette as it doesn't always work. Occasionally it is worth the risk though.

Chocolate is one of my biggest things. I get a double reaction. Gut issues plus headaches. I've worked out a few types I can eat in very small quantities, very very occasionally.

Something I've also noticed and my dietitian thinks I'm barmy. Anything I eat in the afternoons always reacts more than any other time of day. Sounds like there's no plausible reason for this, but actually I think it's to do with the times I take my antihistamines (AM & PM) so I've played around with timings. I was originally on 20mg cetirizine twice a day, and now I take up to 4 x 10mg as I feel I need them. My main reason for the antihistamines is to control my urticaria, but obviously it helps with all my sensitivities.

It's a difficult balancing act, eh?

https://www.throughthefibrofog.com/9-low-histamine-berries-with-recipes/

https://www.throughthefibrofog.com/low-histamine-herbs-spices/

Just posting these here to remind myself of herbs, spices and fruit that might be OK.

Thinking of cinnamon buns with cardamon and toffeed apple pieces?

Thinking of something with frozen berries and a white chocolate drizzle, a blondie - cherry, macadamia and white chocolate?
Maybe trifle? Gluten free little sponges for you @MNWineDrinker

I think I'm definitely more sensitive to things I eat in the evening. @RainbowZebraWarrior

This week I ate a small, wait for it because it's really crap, oreo ice-cream sandwich when DD offered me one. Its was soggy and not nice in any way. Then I had to go to bed feeling rubbish with tummy ache.

Sorry to hear its been so hard to het diagnosis and advice.

I saw an independent dietician who it turns out works eith Mast Cell Action.
She looked at my history and said, "Have you heard of MCAS?"

Very sensible website if you've not seen it. I imagine you have but putting it here for any lurkers in case we get any.

https://www.mastcellaction.org/

@MNWineDrinker unexplained hives / swelling is usually diagnosed as chronic urticaria and dermagraphica (depending where you get the swelling) I have a diagnosis of both and have had them for 30 years. I'm very lucky that I have Newcastle Royal Victoria Infirrmary on my doorstep which is the main centre for the North of England and I see the head of department.

Is your medication controlling the hives? I had biologicals (Omalizumab) for mine last year. 6 x monthly treatments. It's expensive and you have to 'qualify' by being 'severe enough' it was quite successful but tbh, my 4 x cetirizine per day manages it almost as well so I stopped after 6 months and saved myself the monthly trip to the day ward.

Omalizumab was originally licenced for asthma before being used off licence for hives / urticaria, but I think it's going to be more widely offered soon. The most amazing thing for me is that it seems to have cured / reversed my moderate asthma. I'm just seeing medical papers coming out confirming this now, so it's not just me.

That's so interesting to hear, thank you both for sharing.

Yes, GP is treating chronic urticaria, but I also have hashimotos thyroiditis (autoimmune thyroid disease) and apparently lots of sufferers also have "unexplained" urticaria. Possibly linked to gut issues and autoimmunity.

I'm taking Fexofenadine 180mg up to 4x daily, plus Cetirizine if needed, and I have steroids and a salbutamol inhaler too. Since starting the low histamine diet, symptoms have definitely improved. I was taking 2-3 Fexofenadine a day, but recently it's never more than 2, and sometimes just one in the morning, which feels like a big win.

Cherry, macadamia & white chocolate blondies sound absolutely delicious and I think I need to try them out ASAP! Much better than a soggy Oreo ice cream sandwich... (though I also understand the impulse, the FOMO is real 🙈)

Blummin rubbish annoying autoimmunity has a lot to answer for.

It is FOMI and also bit wanting to look too restricted to DD

I may have bought sime ginger fudge from Waitrose

FOMO

Not wanting

Some ginger fudge

🤦‍♀️

Ginger fudge sounds great 👍 I got some white chocolate coins for my own Christmas stocking when I saw them in Tesco and was getting stuff for the DC 😂

What festive drinks does everybody enjoy? I'm wondering if there's something sparkling I could have instead of prosecco hmm 🤔

Sorry more links!

Some nice drinks ideas here including mocktails

https://www.throughthefibrofog.com/category/drinks/

And useful info for a sneaky alcoholic one

https://mastcell360.com/low-histamine-cocktails-and-why-you-dont-want-to-drink-most-alcohols-if-you-have-mast-cell-activation-syndrome-or-histamine-intolerance/