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What free services are available to help individuals with dietary restrictions or food allergies?

Christin Smissen

There are a plethora of free services available to help individuals with dietary restrictions or food allergies. With the rise of health-consciousness and dietary restrictions, companies have invested in creating tools and platforms to assist those with special dietary needs. These services range from educational resources to meal planning tools, and they are designed to make mealtime a little less daunting for those with dietary restrictions.

One excellent resource for people with food allergies is the Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE) organization. FARE has a comprehensive website that includes information on food allergies, recipes, and an online community for support and encouragement. Additionally, FARE provides a Food Allergy Field Guide app, which includes an emergency plan, ingredient information, and a restaurant guide for easy access on-the-go.

Similarly, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has developed the FoodKeeper app, which provides information on food safety and storage for over 500 different food and beverage items. This app will help individuals with dietary restrictions keep their foods fresh and safe to eat for longer periods.

Another great resource for individuals with dietary restrictions is the EatWell Meal Planner app. This app is designed to help users plan meals based on their dietary needs, including allergies, and preferences. Users can input their preferred diet (regardless of the type, including gluten-free, paleo, or vegan), and the app will generate a weekly meal plan, complete with recipes and shopping lists. The app also provides helpful tips on meal prepping, budgeting, and food waste reduction.

For those with complex dietary needs, the app ShopWell is recommended. This app allows users to scan barcodes and view nutritional facts and allergen information. Based on the information, the app rates the food product on how well it fits in with the user's dietary needs. Users can also input their unique dietary needs, and the app will provide recommendations on what products they should consider.

One additional resource is the platform MealLime. This service provides a database of recipes, including options for individuals with dietary restrictions. Users can filter recipes to show ones that suit their dietary needs or filter out ingredients they cannot consume. Additionally, MealLime allows users to create grocery lists based on the chosen recipes. MealLime helps streamline the meal planning process for those with dietary restrictions and takes the guesswork out of grocery shopping.

Overall, there are countless resources available to individuals with dietary restrictions or food allergies. From government agencies to private companies, there is no shortage of apps, programs, and websites available to help users navigate the complex world of dietary restrictions. Whether you are looking for meal planning assistance or grocery shopping tools, there is sure to be a resource out there to make your life a little easier.