Menopause Matters Forum

Menopause Discussion => Other Health Discussion => Topic started by: lily on May 30, 2014, 08:09:56 PM

Title: Onions
Post by: lily on May 30, 2014, 08:09:56 PM
I don't know if I've got more sensitive eyes due to being a contact lens wearer (although I have been for about 27 years now) but I can't chop onions anymore or my eyes sting for hours and hours.  Today, I really wanted onion in our dinner so persevered and here I go again - eyes still sore 4 hours later  ::) Has anyone else become ultra sensitive to this? 
Title: Re: Onions
Post by: mazzy on May 30, 2014, 08:28:01 PM
hi Lily

Onions have always had that effect on me but I have noticed that sometimes when I am reading my eyes sting, despite wearing reading glasses and begin to water and can be sore for hours

I have regular eye tests so perhaps as we get older we do began to get sensitive to things.

Mazzy
Title: Re: Onions
Post by: CLKD on May 30, 2014, 11:02:35 PM
Peeling onions under cold running water is supposed to help.  I can't eat them fresh, it would be a hospital job  :o

If onions were introduced as a food stuff today they wouldn't pass the tests !

My eyes sting a lot these days …...
Title: Re: Onions
Post by: honeybun on May 31, 2014, 07:26:47 AM
What tests wouldn't they pass. Don't get much more natural than an onion.


Have you tried sticking to red onions as they are not so strong and also when preparing them if you cut the root off last that can help.


Honeyb
x
Title: Re: Onions
Post by: Taz2 on May 31, 2014, 07:55:38 AM
Which tests wouldn't they pass? Is it the "being able to peel without wearing goggles" test?  ;D

Some tips here lily http://www.thekitchn.com/five-tips-on-how-to-cut-onions-1-44517

Taz x
Title: Re: Onions
Post by: lily on May 31, 2014, 10:39:10 AM
Thanks for the replies everyone, I will try red onions instead Honeybun and that link was good Taz - will try to chop properly, I do keep my onions in the fridge drawer though so they are chilled.  I'll try under cold running water too CLKD.  My eyes still feel sore today, so maybe it's not just the onions Mazzy.
Title: Re: Onions
Post by: sweatybet on May 31, 2014, 11:01:07 AM
Hi lily while chopping onions recently I heard James Martin on TV advising to use as large a knife as you can to chop with. It worked for me. Really surprised as I suffer the same as you. Hope it works for you.

SB
Title: Re: Onions
Post by: Taz2 on May 31, 2014, 11:16:16 AM
How about employing a chef!!  ;D
Title: Re: Onions
Post by: CLKD on May 31, 2014, 04:10:52 PM
You employ James, I'll walk his dog  ;)

No other food stuff causes tears! ............. I think it was Swansea Uni in the 1970s that worked out which chemicals are nasty in onions.  If onions are boiled for hours, i.e. when I cook the Tibetan recipe we use, or in Chutneys, I can tolerate them.  Otherwise they go through my system so fast I hallucinate  :o

Mum used to do an onion and potato bake in layers .......... had to stop eating that  :-\
Title: Re: Onions
Post by: honeybun on May 31, 2014, 07:03:15 PM
So because they make your eyes water they would not be allowed to be used as a food  :o

What Tibetan recipe CLKD, sounds interesting. Is it something hubby does or you.

Funny how we find some foods don't suit. I have eaten scallops for donkeys years but the last couple of times I have felt unwell afterwards. The same thing happened with oysters. Fine for years and then an extreme reaction. Not sick but hot and cold and the shakes. Scared to try scallops again just in case. Hope I am not developing a complete seafood intolerance as I love prawns and cockles and winkles and razor clams  ;D
When does a slight reaction become something else and how do you know.


Honeyb
x
Title: Re: Onions
Post by: Taz2 on May 31, 2014, 07:08:09 PM
I haven't been able to eat eggs without being sick for the past three years. I used to be fine with them. I can tolerate them in cakes etc. but not poached or boiled or fried or omeletted.

Taz x
Title: Re: Onions
Post by: CLKD on May 31, 2014, 07:24:34 PM
Taz - that's how my IBS started.  My gut was unable to tolerate eggs unless in cakes.  AWFUL  :-\ …….. now that the IBS is sorted I occasionally eat one that our chicks have laid, but have to 'fancy' it.

The Tibetan receipe is easy - must be 'cos I makes it  ;D

My Mum developed an intolerance to shellfish, she gets breast lumps which have to be removed.  That was around her menopause years …………

I LOVE onions - the smell, the crunch, the combinations of all the ways they can be cooked.
Title: Re: Onions
Post by: honeybun on May 31, 2014, 07:45:40 PM
And the Tibetan recipe is......?

I am really scared to try the shellfish that have started to disagree.

Fine with prawns though.


Honeyb
x
Title: Re: Onions
Post by: CLKD on May 31, 2014, 07:56:20 PM
Can't be bothered with all those prawns legs …………  ;D
Title: Re: Onions
Post by: honeybun on May 31, 2014, 08:03:47 PM
Is a secret Tibetan recipe then CLKD.


We had the prawns BBQd tonight and they were so yummy.


Honeyb
x
Title: Re: Onions
Post by: CLKD on May 31, 2014, 08:04:35 PM
I bumped the recipe thread, it's on there ………  ;)
Title: Re: Onions
Post by: honeybun on May 31, 2014, 08:35:52 PM
What page CLKD. There are 16 of them  ::)


Honeyb
x
Title: Re: Onions
Post by: CLKD on May 31, 2014, 08:45:49 PM
Almost at the bottom  ::)
Title: Re: Onions
Post by: ariadne on May 31, 2014, 09:09:42 PM
I'm also badly affected by stinging watering eyes when peeling onions. The stinging continues for hours afterwards unless I use an eye bath to wash them. That's the only thing that works for me.

Peeling them under water in is OK but you can't chop it underwater can you?

I looked at the link and noticed a photo at the bottom of the page suggesting that holding a large chunk of bread in your mouth so it dangles out, will prevent the watering.

Now I have to try that one!

Ariadne xx

Title: Re: Onions
Post by: Taz2 on June 01, 2014, 07:46:59 AM
What page CLKD. There are 16 of them  ::)


Honeyb
x

Here it is


I have a Tibetan recipe which begins with 1 large can of tomatoes  :o
put into a pan and simmer
lightly fry onions/garlic/chopped ginger
add to tomatoes
lightly salt
black pepper to taste
chilly powder

simmer until the mixture thickens this can take several hours
cool and store in fridge over night
serve cold with a meat platter ........... watch out for the bite  ;D

and yes they have tinned tomatoes in Nepal - I asked. CLKD
Title: Re: Onions
Post by: lily on June 01, 2014, 06:30:15 PM
Lots of info here! Never knew about using a large knife or the bread lol
Title: Re: Onions
Post by: honeybun on June 01, 2014, 09:24:56 PM
The best way I have found to do it with no tears is swimming goggles and a nose clip.
I used to work in catering and on occasions had to peel and chop pounds and pounds of the things. The only way to cope was the goggles and clip.

Works a treat......looks crazy but works  ;D


Honeyb
x
Title: Re: Onions
Post by: CLKD on June 02, 2014, 12:21:40 PM
Lightens the mood in the kitchen then  ;D
Title: Re: Onions
Post by: lily on June 07, 2014, 08:44:50 PM
 :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:
Title: Re: Onions
Post by: littleminnie on June 08, 2014, 12:29:22 PM
If you use a really good quality knife it is supposed to stop the watering eyes. We have Global knives, since we bought them not a tear has been shed. (Except over the price).
Title: Re: Onions
Post by: CLKD on June 08, 2014, 01:50:06 PM
Don't put global into the dishwasher!
Title: Re: Onions
Post by: lily on June 15, 2014, 03:27:46 PM
or you will be crying presumably?  :D
Title: Re: Onions
Post by: CLKD on June 15, 2014, 03:41:40 PM
It does ruin them eventually  ::)

I ate onions on a pizza on Thursday and got the result this morning  :o