Food Allergis

My daughter has many food allergies. We always bring food for her, there are times it is hard but most of the time she does ok. We have had a few melt downs when there has been cake and she couldn't have any. I just took her out of the room and talked to her about why she couldn't have any. We felt terrible but there was nothing we could do. We try to bring things that are similar to what is being served. Again this can be difficult at times. Hang in there, as my daughter is getting older she is realizing what she can't have and will actually say she is allergic.

Good Luck!

Hi
What I would like to recommend to you sounds rally wacky, but it works! If you would like to eliminate- yes, I said eliminate, your daughter's allergies, I would suggest that you find a chiropractor who does the NAET system. This is a simple electrical (painless) process whereby they truly get rid of the allergy. No medical doctor will approve of this, so don't even bother asking. My grand daughter and my daughter have been treated with astonishing results. They saw a wonderful chiropractor in Birch Run, Michigan, who teaches people about this all over the country. If this is something that you are interested in, please message me back and I can send you his name. If you are not in his area, perhaps he knows someone closer to you. Anyway, you might check it out, because he has cleared people of life threatening peanut allergies and many other things- I saw the results in my own family.
M.

I think this is similar to what has been said already, but I would just keep bringing your daughters own food and explaining to her why you eat different. I have no problem telling my daughter that we don't eat certain food b/c it will give her a tummy ache or make you fat. I tell her lots of foods are sometimes foods that we only eat every once in awhile. Anyway, all I'm saying is I think that it is great you are teaching your child to take care of herself when it comes to food.

Good Luck...remember what is right is not always easy...

Hi B.,

In working with a nutritionist, I've learned that sometimes the body's immune system just needs a boost with a true probiotic. Sometimes just digestive help.

That said, I also have dairy and gluten challenges and realized they are just like people with nut allergies, it's just a part of my life - but I'm an adult and a 2-year old doesn't understand as easily. A nutritionist will tell you that gluten allergies or sensitivities are not something to take lightly.

It's not highly understood by people and many times they think, oh just this once. Well, I'm not giving you medical advice but just passing along what I've learned through the nutritionist and through a support group at a local food store that I attended.

Also, allergies are many times the bodies reaction to cummulative effects from the environment that display as allergies or asthma.

It's great that so many companies are now going green with their cleaners that will biodegrade but they also need to be non-toxic.

It's important with allergies and asthma symptoms to remove toxins from the home. The government has a list of common ingredients in household cleaners and detergents that are considered hazardous. Laundry soap remains on the clothes, sheets, etc. Cleaning products produce airborne toxins and are especially worse in our highly efficient, insulated, great energy saver homes. Many toxic substances accumulate nearer the floor - where our little people and our pets spend their time.

It's important to not put down more harm than we try to clean up. Along the line we've been conditioned that it's not clean unless it smells like bleach or cleaning products.

Am I passionate about non-toxic and green cleaners? ... I can't help but be and have been for a long time - before it was fashionable to be green. If you'd like to chat more give me a call.

Yes, I'm a distributor of non-toxic cleaning products and natural health choices. My business is listed at Mamasource. If you'd like to know more about cleaning that's in harmony with nature, let me know. I'll be happy to just chat with you. I'm not high pressure - I'm just passionate about sharing options.

~M. :) Together Live Well, LLC

Like many of the other responses, I would suggest that you bring dishes that your daughter can eat. Perhaps you can even host some events so that the menu won't be an issue for your daughter. Whole Foods has a good selection of foods that are safe for her, and here is a favorite website for our family: www.divvies.com

Divvies has an expanding line of foods/cupcakes for people with allergies. It was started by a mom whose child couldn't eat the same treats as the friends without allergies. My kids without allergies like them as well!

Good luck to you.

I wish we lived closer. I know exactly what you mean. My husband, 5 yo, and myself don't eat anything like either sides of our family, or neighbors. Talking about it around them seems to make them feel like there doing something wrong. They get all ticked off I don't want to eat there sugar, butter and white/wheat flour foods, or let our daughter eat it. I've eliminated so many things from our diet (food coloring, wheat/gluten, HFCS who wants to eat a by product, simple carbs and most processed foods, sugar) and were feeling the best we have ever. I was amazed how good I could feel after I stopped eating garbage. My husband now talks to our daughter about it. When we eat mamas food we feel good, when we eat...do you feel good? The answer is always no. My husband and I no longer crave junk, but are actually repulsed looking at it.

Food functions are very hard, I tend to bring everything my family will eat. I try to help plan the function so I know whats going to be there, and can silently help guide the menu so I can eat something there I didn't bring. If helps that my Mom eats the way I do, so we can team up. One of us brings an organic veg dish, the other a vegetarian wheat free/dairy free dish. I bring a treat my family can eat as well. We often just whisper to our daughter the cake has artificial sweeteners and wheat. Offering her a nice piece of organic dark chocolate in it's place. Our staple treat is super dark organic chocolate.

When she goes to grandmas house I have to pack all her food, and tell her to ask whats in anything they offer her. We had problems with my DH's side of the family giving her toast and cheese during a time her body wasn't tolerating them. Or eating pizza in front of her when she couldn't have it, they'd give it to her any way cause it was our favorite food before it make her sick. And then lie to me about it, but then I'd get a sick kid back and she'd tell me what she ate. DH and I decided then he'd handle his side and I'd get mine, were an effective team now.

Are there others who eat the way your daughter needs to in your community? If so make friends for her with them, and then you'll have people you can have fun and eat with. We've made a lot of vegan, or gluten free friends at pot lucks.

site has kid books on allergies
http://www.avoidingmilkprotein.com/kids.htm
few more books here
https://www.foodallergy.org/shoppingcart/shopwelcome.shtml
and some more
http://www.kidswithfoodallergies.org/books-child.html

cooking gluten/dairy free blog I love
http://glutenfreegoddess.blogspot.com

I wish you lots of luck, and patience. A. H

I too have a child with food allergies and just started to think about all the parties we are attending. Even worse for my child, he can't even touch anything with dairy or eggs without breaking out! It is very hard. Because it is a family event, I would just explain to the host family member about your situation. Bring a meal that your whole family can have so you aren't singling out just your daughter. Also, have her bake something to share with everyone, so she can be proud of her foods. I would also make sure people know not to give her things...which can be hard because I'm sure she is an adorable 2 year old in which every one wants to share with:) Also, I would be a specail treat for her and not show her till the night of the party, then she will feel extra special and tell her, it's just for her and no one else...really play it up, my kids eat this up when I do this with them. Finally, I would try not to eat anything unless your daughter can eat it; that way you are making her feel included and not the only person who can't eat the food at the party. I know this is a lot of extra work, but I feel it's really important to make sure your kids with allergies are included. I usually talk to my kids ahead of time and tell them others will be eating stuff, but we don't really need it and it's not that great for our bodies. Good luck and happy holiday parties:)

I used to work in a daycare center with a little girl who was allergice to dairy, wheat, soy, nuts...seemed like almost everything. She was ok in our room...we were the infant room. When it was neccessary, we could put her in the high chair for her lunch/snacks so as to keep her safe. She had major reactions, and we had an EPI pen and Benedryl on hand for her at all times...and used them once or twice. However, we worried when she went to the Toddler room, things would be bad. But the teachers explained to the other kids that those things could make her sick and the parents explained to their daughter that certain foods made her sick, although they didn't bother others. I know 2 seems young to be explaining all of this, but start now and it will be drilled into her as she gets older...and what kid wants to be sick. And explain to your family (and his...especially kids), that she isn't to eat anything that isn't given your approval first as it would be painful for her...not just unhealthy. Maybe that will make the difference. And, if they are not as accommodating, maybe going before or after mealtimes, or with your own foods. No one wants to see a child sick and hurting, especially when it can be avoided. Her safety and comfort come first...not her "fitting in"...make sure everyone realizes that. Good luck!

Sorry your family is not accommodating. Have you sat them down and asked them to try and explained how its hard emotionally for your daughter to feel left out by having to eat different stuff then everyone else? If they refuse to be accommodating then you'll just have to bolster her up - maybe making some of her favorite entree's and sweets to take with you to the family stuff, enough that you and your husband can eat it instead of the other foods. Make it something you all can rally together on in support of Ellie. If all of you boycott the forbidden foods it might make more of an impression on your family and let them know you are serious and this isn't going away so they need to be respectful of Ellie.

I had a smiliar situation. I grew up vegetarian (lacto-ovo) but as we grew up my parents introduced lots of meat into our diet due to my dad's family moving close by. I didn't mind either diet and married a vegetarian who was appalled by meat, so I never cooked it at home. Eventually I made the decision to not eat it anymore and to work on getting the dairy and eggs out of our diet as well. My family didn't respect my desire to give up meat and often would forget and cook with beef stock and things like that when my husband and I were around. I usually gave in and ate the food, but my husband couldn't. Also at work they'd just order me meat knowing I'd eat it instead of accommodating my desire to drop meat products. So it took taking a stand and saying I WILL NO LONGER EAT THIS STUFF please be respectful of that. Now its not an issue. I had to kind of get on my family's case a few times saying, if you cook with that I WON'T EAT IT and they eventually quit. It was sad as its not like they're not used to cooking vegetarian foods (and we're still eating the dairy stuff when with them) as they did for many years. They were just so focused on what THEY wanted to taste that no one else mattered.

Boundaries are important. Its not like by accommodating your daughter they are making foods that would make THEM SICK. But you know they say, food is love. So the way they treat your daughter is communicating subtly.

On the other hand in life your daughter will need to learn to handle sticking out in a crowd - especially when she gets into the work force and has to deal with eating out and such. But right now is NOT THAT TIME.

Best wishes, I know this is frustrating, especially if your part of a family that "worships" food (as I am, both sides of mine).

Hi there - I'm in the same boat. My daughter turned 3 in September, and she is allergic to dairy, peanuts and eggs. She too will break out in a contact rash with dairy. We have to be very careful with her around others, and gatherings are always more stressful. We do want her to be included though, and I always bring her a meal. If it's something "quick", then I will just not eat where we're going. If it's something "longer", then I'll figure out a way for my whole family to eat the same thing so she doesn't feel singled out. We used to bring her food and eat whatever was being served, but after she turned I'd say 2.5 years old that no longer worked. She always wanted what we were having, or at least questioned "what's that?". So...it sounds like you're going into this phase. I try to find out ahead of time what is being served and match her meal as closely as possible. Sometimes, her meal looks better and the other kids want hers! Make it special too, so then they don't feel singled out. Good luck!

I know that it is really hard to have a child with allergies. My best friends kids are both allergic to dairy. She has told them from a young age that they can't have certain things because it has milk and will make them sick. She usually carries special treats with her that they can have for those times when a special treat is offered that they can't have. Example...fruit leather instead of a candy treat.
As far as family just tell them that this is for her health it is not only a personal choice that you have made but it is also a medical must! I don't know any grandparent that wants to make thier grandchild sick.
Many Blessings as you find the answers on how to raise your special daughter.
Oh yeah there are also childrens books out to help understand food allergies. They may be helpful for your daughter when she gets older and they may be helpful for your famliy now.

We have friends that bring coolers to all family functions so their kids will have something to eat. Find out what is on the menu and make something similar that your daughter and family can eat.

Or you can do what I do... I host all of the family functions and ask for donations toward the meal in lue of having someone bring something that we don't want to or can't eat.

Hi B.,
My son has both gluten & dairy allergies. He is now 5 and most of the time thing´s work out well with his strict diet. When we go someplace I always bring his own food. Most of the time I check beforehand what will be served and match his food as well as can be possibly done. But many times people who know us well take into consideration what he cannot eat. There might be icelollies for all the kids as dessert so that he can have the same.
Good luck!
Greetings from M. in Finland (yes northern Europe)

Maybe you can offer to bring a dish or two to the parties that you'll be attending. That way your daughter has a couple options of food she can eat and it's not a special little portion just for her so she doesn't feel left out. My nephew is wheat and dairy free and his mom (my sister in law) makes sure to bring a main dish and usually also a dessert that he is able to eat to family parties. And usually a few others eat it as well so that he doesn't feel left out. I suggest just sitting down with some of your relatives and explaining to them the struggles that your daughter has when she eats some of the off limits foods. Best of luck!

First, GOOD for you that you are working with your daughter and controlling her gluten and dairy allergies. It is not easy but sounds like she knows that by being careful about what she puts into her body, she will feel good.

I don't have this issue with my children, but know many adults and children who have these sensitivities. Have you looked at Tofuti (I think that is how you spell it), this is soy ice cream sandwiches. They are very tasty! I have had them. I am not 100% certain if they have gluten, but know they are not dairy.

I have some protein bars that a friend of mine, who has the same allergies, can eat. The peanut butter flavor and lemon/cranberry do not contain any dairy. The chocolate has some whey protein and all of the flavors do not contain gluten. They are very tasty as well.

It sounds like you have done a lot of research and know what products do not contain gluten. If you would like more information or if I can be of help, you can call me at ###-###-#### or email me.

Good luck and be proud of yourself. You are doing a GREAT JOB!

M.

B.,

My niece has incredible food allergies and when we have family gatherings, worst are the birthday parties, my brother and sister in law never bring anything for her. Drove my other sisters and I insane. We hated seeing her left out. So we started bringing treats and foods for her.

My favorite places are Plum Market (there's one in Bloomfield at Maple/Lahser and I thought they were opening one in Royal Oak but I'm not certain) and a wonderful, amazing store in Ferndale called The Natural Food Patch. Their prices are soooooo reasonable and they have so many choices. These two stores have made it easier to expand our choices for our niece and make sure that it's all healthy and safe for her.

I wish you the best. I know it's difficult, but Isabelle always knew what she could eat, what she couldn't and why. She is ten now and always asks what's in something before she eats it. We're very careful, but because it's a way of life for her, she's very proactive in keeping watch herself. From what you've said about how your household eats on a normal basis, I am confident that you're child will be fine as she grows.

L.

www.naturalfoodpatch.com
www.plummarket.com

B., I respect that you are vegan but am not sure whether that is an option for your daughter given her food allergies. Can she have eggs? I know strict vegans do not eat them. I just don't know if she can get enough protein in her diet (presumably she can't eat cheese due to her allergies and your beliefs). I think I would see a nutritionist or dietician to get advice. Good luck - ALison