Ellen’s Latex-free Super Berry Smoothie (Just Look at the Colour!)

img_2355Ellen is a writer, she is funny, talented, a new follower and she also happens to have an allergy which causes anaphylaxis. When she told me this, it was in the context of being unable to try most of my recipes and I assumed she meant she was allergic to nuts. I then proceeded to give her a list of potential substitutions. However, I got it very wrong, it seems that Ellen is fine with nuts but allergic to latex.

Now, I assumed that being allergic to latex meant you just had to avoid wearing rubber gloves, but no, it means avoiding a long list of fruits and vegetables too. I decided to set myself the challenge of coming up with a tasty, nutritious smoothie that Ellen could enjoy with complete peace of mind. She warned me how difficult she was to ‘cook’ for, but I pointed out that as I was a vegan, juicing, gluten-free raw foodie, I know how that is!

I had a couple of days to ponder this conundrum while Hurricane Fremily (aka my 2 toddler grandchildren) hit landfall, and I did a bit of research to make sure I understood the issues.

Latex allergy is caused by a reaction to the protein in latex and can range from wheezing, itchy skin, hives to full-on anaphylaxic shock. Some people who have latex allergy may also have an allergic response to certain fruits including banana, cherries, plums, papaya, grapes, pineapple, avocado, chestnut, kiwi fruit, mango, passionfruit, fig, strawberry and soy.

Ellen seems ok with berries, oranges, lemons, melon (but not watermelon) and apples but she also can’t have squash, turnip, swede or broad beans due to a lifelong phobia! (Which I can totally understand as I have my parsnip phobia – shudders at the very word! See Pears But No More Parsnips: In Which I Confront My Parsnip Phobia! )

So there you have it, my challenge.

This is my first attempt. It’s an amazing colour! It’s a little tart, so if you want to add a little sweetness, add a medjool date, or reduce the amount of blackberries and add another apple. To ring the changes, you can substitute different berries, use coconut water or other nut milk, add oats to make it more substantial and alternate the superfood powders. I read that açaí is ok, but please do your own research. I understand lucuma has a latex sap when immature so I’m guessing that would best be avoided.

Purple berries contain powerful antioxidants which aid healthy ageing, memory, help prevent cancer and other diseases caused by inflammation. Hemp seeds have protein and healthy omega fats and are smooth and creamy to taste (see Shelled Hemp Seeds: Superfood or Psychogenic?!) Cashews are a good source of magnesium, which helps keep us calm, is essential for good mental health and prevents muscle cramps (see Magnesium: Are You Getting Enough?). Apples are all-round good for us! They contain soluble fibre and are good for the lungs.

All ingredients are organic where possible, vegan and can be made gluten-free by substituting seeds or Horchata (aka Tiger Nut Milk) if you’re sure you’re not allergic.  Measurements approximate.

Ingredients

Large handful of Blackberries (I used frozen)

Handful of Blueberries

1 Sweet Apple, washed & chopped (peel on)

Heaped Tbsp Hemp Seeds*

Handful of Cashews

1 Tbsp Açaí Powder*

Generous glass of Homemade Almond Milk (click link to see how to make your own, it’s really easy).

 Blend until smooth, and may this gorgeous vibrant smoothie give you a bright start to your day!

(When I was looking for a video to accompany this smoothie recipe, I started typing ‘berry’ and it started coming up with Berry White songs which I found highly amusing and since his outfit matches the colour of the smoothie, I decided to go with it!)

*https://www.therawchocolatecompany.com/

Allergic To Latex? Foods And Products To Avoid

http://latexallergyresources.org/latex-cross-reactive-foods-fact-sheet

Copyright: Chris McGowan

30 thoughts on “Ellen’s Latex-free Super Berry Smoothie (Just Look at the Colour!)”

      1. What an art to make taste and look match each other. You are very inspiring. I often think of you when I try to make something on my new slow juicer. I have some questions on ginger and turmeric. Should I email you or just ask?

        Liked by 1 person

  2. This is hugely enlightening. My third daughter is allergic to bananas, pineapple, strawberries and several other fruits – I wonder if latex is the answer. I will pass this to her and see what we can divine between us. Thank you 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

      1. Thank you – she was really interested and is researching as I type. I will be over in England next month so I will try and get some sense from what we find out over what we need to do to get that proper diagnosis. Oddly the allergy only started about 4 years ago (she’s just turned 24) but she has a long history of other allergies (asthma diagnosed in infancy and never overcome) …. thank you so much for putting us on a fresh trail!

        Like

      2. Allergies are interesting, they can develop at any time – I didn’t have asthma until I was in my late 40’s following a deeply distressing period in my life – and disappear just as easily. Since I began juicing regularly, I have had no asthma attacks or had to use an inhaler. My grandson had serious asthma and chronic lung disease for many years, having to have therapeutic doses of antibiotics every day and steroid inhalers. He is now 13, discharged from the hospital and off all medication! I believe diet and exercise has played a huge part in his recovery. He swims, does kung fu and plays basketball. Probably hormones have played a part too. I think either serious, cataclysmic stress or prolonged chronic stress of all kinds can bring them on and this includes environmental factors. It can take years to unpeel all the layers but I prefer the naturopathic treatment over treating and suppressing the symptoms. I do hope you get some answers.

        Liked by 1 person

  3. I did not realize that latex allergies included food. I do sympathize, as my daughter has anaphylactic peanut allergies .

    There’s no one smoother than Barry White, so great choice!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

      1. She has to have 2 epi pens with her all the time. We have had to use them once. We’ve been to the er twice, and she remembers going, so that is enough for her to be careful. My sister also has nut allergies, so at least our family is trained and I didn’t have to start from scratch training everyone.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. We have a friend who is a gardener and he has anaphylaxis when stung by wasps! He is definitely in the wrong job! He carries several epi pens and has told us what to do if it happens when he cuts our grass and hedges.

        Like

      3. My daughter has been stung once, and we have been advised that she most likely will react the 2nd time she is stung. As with peanuts, we hope it never happens.

        Liked by 1 person

Leave a comment