Need Help with Food Allergy Problems

My 9-year-old couldn't do soy, gluten, or dairy. He's had enriched rice milk since he was 1. You can pretty much use rice milk to replace dairy milk in anything. Can your daughter tolerate goat milk? It's a strong flavor, so she might not like it, but it often is tolerated by people who can't have cow milk. As far as recipes- I just substitute rice milk in baked goods or pancakes (works really well in cornbread and muffins). Make sure you check processed meats to make sure they don't have soy or dairy in them- kosher meats won't have any kind of dairy additive. Fresh fruits and vegetables are safe for her. You can try the cheese substitutes, but I think they're pretty awful.

Most recipes can be made dairy, soy, egg, and gluten free by using appropriate substitutes.

My 9-year-old had texture issues with new foods (still does!) because of his allergies, but it got a lot better after we took out the soy and dairy. That may just be a typical phase for her. Good luck!

Fresh & cooked fruits, vegetables, meats, nuts, corn, rice, quinoa, barley, eggs and omelettes made with various cooked vegetables, tomatoes, rice...

There is almond milk and rice milk when you want a tasty, creamy drink, or something to use to moisten ceral.

My daughter cannot eat gluten (wheat, rye, barley), dairy, soy or eggs. People ask "What's left?" and actually, she eats a more varied diet now than before.

For us, it was a lifestyle change that ended up being healthier for everyone - more along the line of "whole foods".

She did find some cheeses made without dairy or soy. Most she has not liked, but more and more products are coming out and she recently did find some she liked.

Some of the boards for "gluten-free" have a LOT of information about dairy free and soy free since it seems like that's common.

J.

There are some great books on Amazon.com with helpful reviews. Try typing in your keywords and you will come up with some good books.

I used to make a milkshake for my son with regular almond milk, almond butter (for the good fats) or Sunbutter (available at Target) add banana, vanilla, honey and a dash of cinnamon, maybe ice cubes and blend it all up. Very healthy, good calcium and fats.

Of course you want to be sure your daughter doesnt have allergies to any of these ingredients before trying, but almonds and sunflower seeds are much less allergenic than peanuts.

Most children outgrow the dairy allergy by age two. We were able to start at 2.5. Its hard while it lasts, good luck!

My daughter has lots of food allergies and I would recommended getting your child tested by an allergiest so you know for sure all they are allergic to. We were giving my daughter some of the foods that she was highly allergic to (before we knew) and we were really making her sick by accident. There are lots of products available online and also in whole foods. Even in the regular grocery store you can find many things just by reading the labels. It isn't fun but they say many kids do grow out of these allergies. I am praying we are also one of them. Good luck!

Hi A.,

My daughter is lactose intolerant as well and she can not drink soy. The way we get in her dairy is by giving her lactaid milk with chocolate in it (nestle quick).

A friend of mine at church has a daughter with severe food allergies. They recently along with talking to the doctor, decided to try organic food & her body is accepting it! Prior to trying organic the doctor had her on a special baby formula (she was about 16 months)that cost about $40.00 per day!, but with that being her only source of food, she became very bored and refused to drink, so with mom and dad desperate they tried organic and she is ok with it. They started her on organic milk and kept her on it for at least a week before trying to introduce anything else. Each item introduced was for a least a week and then introduced another item. She is really doing well and going on this for about 2-3 months now! Also, there is a product called Mona-vie, which is a nutritional beverage that gives you 10-13 servings of your fruits/veg in just 4 oz. Our family has been on it for about 10 months and our girls (2 1/2& 19 months) are doing great! We are distributors of Mona-Vie. Check it out!

I have a child who is allergic to cows milk but can have goats milk. You could have your daughter allergy tested and see if she might be able to have this other real milk.

There are LOTS of great books for cooking for allergies! Do a search on amazon or google it.

There are also a lot of great substitute products. You can find Rice milk & Almond milk in the baking aisle of most grocery stores these days. They are good subs. They taste good & can be swapped in recipes.

Another mom was talking about Goats milk. My mom cant have anything out of a cow, but also does just fine with goat & sheep products. The proteins are different & easier to digest. Frankly, goats milk is much better for us than cow anyway.

Whole Foods is a great resource for alternative products. Most of the sales people are friendly & knowledgeable. They usually have a few good books there, too. They have a huge selection of goat & sheep cheeses - yum.

About the trying new foods problem, if eating certain food makes her feel bad, she might be a little turned off by food. Stick with things you know she likes & are safe for her for now. Plus, she's a toddler, her taste buds are changing & it is normal for them to become a little picky.

Hang in there, at least she is born in a time where having allergies is so much easier to manage!

P