Discontinued safe food

TheCatWoman said:

I cook most food from scratch.

Best idea. Cooking from scratch is a good way to prepare safe foods. If the ingredients are relatively common, then there will be no risk that your dish of choice will be discontinued. (Just try to avoid insisting that the ingredients have to be particular brands, etc.)

The nearest thing I had to a "safe food" was probably my go-to homemade dinner back in my student days: finely chop lots of garlic, fry in olive oil until just golden, add a can of tuna, toss with spaghetti, season with salt and pepper. I can still make that dish over 30 year later (and I still love it), as none of the ingredients has ever been discontinued. I don't care about the brands of spaghetti or tuna, so it's almost certainly "safe" for another 30 years.

Aimée said:

It’s so sad and upsetting when foods that we’re used to are discontinued, especially when they bring us comfort and are easy to eat/keep!

I agree, and i can think of several personal examples.

1. M & S, Peri peri chicken curry.
2. Waitrose, Garic chicken Masala. 
3. Morrisons, mushroom soups with pasta.
4. Polish Knorr, Beef noodle soup, mad cow disease stopped their import.
5. Osem,  Barley and mushroom soups.

Malt loaf is fairly easy to make, especially if you have a bread machine and then you can put whatever you like in it.

It can be as simple as a draft email with a 3 column table - to help you remember when shopping - what your potential product alternate options may be.

E.g.

Wholemeal Loaf / Wholemeal Rolls / Wholemeal Pitta Breads

That sounds really helpful, thank you for the reply!!! Unfortunately I always procrastinate doing things like that (finding and making note of things I use and their alternatives) but I will definitely try to do this when I can!

Problems with food is one of the reasons I cook most food from scratch.

I have huge problems with cosmetics and laundry products too, I have to do a 40 mile round trip to get toothpaste I'm not allergic too and sometimes laundry powder or liquid too. If Irun out of toothpaste or can't get any then I can use bicarbonate of soda from the baking section of supermarkets. But we're stuffed with laundry and hand cleansers, there are some I'm OK with but Mums not. It's all a nightmare, also some of the eco friendly ones have stuff in that I can't have.

I have started trying to become more aware of potential future single points of failure (that "1 thing" which as "Plan A" ...I have started to become a bit dependent upon as a central part of my "go to" routine for some central aspect of selfcare). 

Once identified; I start to think about: how to research / create a backup plan / source potential alternate acceptable options (develop "Plan B" and, if possible "Plan C" options) to help manage unexpected changes / reduce the pressure of encountering an immediate decision-making requirement / have a backup in store at home / know where I might be able to shop for the Plan B / C items - should the need arise.

I have some medical-based restrictions which impacts things such as: food / toiletries / medication / beauty products / household cleaning and laundry products - so I do try to keep a note of the three options per regularly used item (which can then make it easier to switch over to Plan B / C - without too much thought required - if my preferred Plan A item is out of stock / discontinued).

This is particularly important to me around (key to me) things like my preferred: toothbrush, toothpaste, body soap, shampoo, deodorant, lip balm, hand cream, laundry powder, washing up liquid, coffee, cup soup, cocoa powder, milk powder, small tetra packs of apple juice, rough oatcakes, vitamin D supplement tablets of the correct daily strength the GP Practice advised for me, breakfast foods and the short list of foods which I can still sometimes face trying to eat (even when I am too exhausted / upset / ill to have a normal appetite). 

I am also particular about which commercial wholemeal bread I prefer - therefore, in the freezer, I keep an emergency commercial loaf, an emergency homemade loaf, and emergency packets of unsalted butter (unsalted butter storage time in a freezer is up to 6 to 9 months, if you need to store butter in the freezer for longer than that: you can store salted butter in the freezer for up to 12 months).

With key items like these; I try to prioritise budget towards keeping a deeper backup inventory of these items at home. 

I also (year round) keep a basic large rucksack "Go Bag A)" in the boot of my car: (1 litre tritan bottle of tap water from home, just the essentials - toiletries & hand sanitizer wipe sachets & mini first aid kit & a wash mitt, a roll of toilet tissue, a bath towel, a change of clothes, a pyjamas set, a keep-warm set (summer beanie hat, gloves, scarf), a sun hat, a hi-viz waistcoat, a wind up torch, a pair of foam ear defenders, a paperback book, a rain poncho, indoor shoes / slippers, a pair of galoshes). 

During winter months (in case of getting stuck somewhere for some hours / maybe have to unexpectedly stay overnight somewhere): I add a further 2 bags.

Winter Warmth Large Go Bag B): a sleeping bag and liner in a dry bag, an army blanket in a dry bag, a dry bag with a pair of knee length winter socks, a winter neck gaiter, a winter beanie hat, a pair of winter mitts, plus, a foam camp bed roll.

Winter Camp Kitchen Large Go Bag C), a large empty stainless steel drinks thermos flask, an empty wide neck stainless steel food flask, a travel kettle & 2 small mugs, a cutlery knife / fork / spoon set, a plate, a bowl, a large plastic soup mug with a clip lock lid, plus, a large clip lock "Camping Larder" storage box containing: a kitchen roll, a tea towel, a blue thin multi-purpose cloth, a small bottle of multi-purpose liquid soap (Lifeventure All Purpose Soap - travel soap - a concentrated formula which lathers well in both fresh and brackish water and which can be used on hair, body, washing up pots and dishes, fabrics and even fresh food.  An antibacterial, pH-balanced and biodegradable soap were only a small quantity goes a long way.), a vegetable peeler, a crinkle cut vegetable slicer, a pair of kitchen scissors, a can opener, 2 pots of instant porridge (add boiling water), 4 coffee drink sachets, 2 hot chocolate drink sachets, 2 cup soup sachets, 2 noodle meal sachets, 3 tins of savoury foods, 3 tins of dessert foods, a small clip lock box of rough oatcakes, a small clip lock box of sweet biscuits, 2 small tetra packs of apple juice.

If a journey is necessary in extreme weather (snowfall forecast / a longer journey) there are additional items added to cater for the conditions.

Ill see if they have it this winter. Really annoying. 

It’s so sad and upsetting when foods that we’re used to are discontinued, especially when they bring us comfort and are easy to eat/keep!

I haven’t been able to find any alternatives unfortunately so instead I’ve been trying to cope with not being able to eat it anymore, which I’ve been finding difficult 

Thank you, that’s really helpful 

Every winter season, I used to buy soreen malt loaf winter spice and cut it up into slices for freezing. Defrost in the toaster. Unfortunately they don't do it anymore:( 

Dear Aimee,

I am sorry to hear that your safe breakfast food has been discontinued. I know a lot of the autistic community struggle when a safe food has been discontinued or part of their routine has changed. I hope the online community can offer some advice on how to manage this. 

In terms of advice on how to deal with this, I have copied some of the NAS guidance that may be helpful when coping with triggers that bring anxiety or distress:

Understand the triggers

Keep a diary to help identify when you are anxious, and what might make it worse.  

Monitor and manage your energy levels

Be aware of your energy levels after social interactions and other events/situations that you may find tiring or difficult.  Recharge by taking time for yourself and doing things you enjoy. 

Make the environment work 

Make adaptations to the environment where possible, for example lower unnatural light if too harsh. 
Try noise-cancelling headphones to reduce sensory overload.  

Self-soothe

Use sensory tools and stimming to reduce anxiety levels, if that works for you.

Relaxation and calming activities 

Try relaxation methods such as meditation, mindfulness, yoga and exercise.  

Visual schedules

Visual schedules to help structure the day and reduce uncertainty within your day.

Use an app

The following app offers personalised support with anxiety.

Molehill Mountain – includes: 

• a system for tracking mood and identifying triggers
• evidence-based tips on how to self-manage anxiety levels.

I know some of these may not apply or be helpful in your situation but hopefully they may give you some ideas on how to manage this difficult period. 

In terms of the change from routine, it can be helpful to focus on what you can control in the moment, so for instance your safe food has been discontinued but you may be able to eat your new food at the same time with other familiar routines that you may have.

Wishing you the best,

Olivia Mod

What food is it? Can you get own brand alternatives?