F.F. asks from Chico, CA on March 25, 2008
Son Is Allergic to Peanuts, Eggs, Soy and Wheat.
About three weeks ago, we found out that our 2 year old is allergic to peanuts, soy, wheat and eggs. We have found that anything in the same family as peanuts and soy make him sick (beans, green beans, peas). It has been a very difficult transition. We cleaned out the cubbards and have been diligently reading labels. But it is so very difficult to find a variety of foods to make that won't make him sick. As a family, we have eliminated most of our favorite foods. We now make everything from scratch, but are still have limited options. We've replaced our flour with rice flour. But the texture is very different. Between that and egg substitutes, cakes and other baked goods are crumbly. The rice flour doesn't thicken in gravies or soups as well. On top of all this, he is a picky eater. He will cry and ask to go to bed if he doesn't like how something tastes. I worry about his nutrition. Does anyone have any advice or ideas for a tasty variety of foods I can make?
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K.S. answers from San Francisco on April 20, 2008
My grandson is allergic to everthing you mentioned except soy. Whole foods has a great section of wheat free items and my daughter found great wheat free pasta there as well. My Grandson (age 3) also eats lots of veggies and fruit. My daughter has Kaiser and visited a dietitician. Also do a search for celiac disease, on the web, you will find some great ideas.
Goodluck!
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D.M. answers from Sacramento on March 28, 2008
I don't, but my son is allergic to the same, make sure you have an epi-pen on hand. Ask ur Dr for this, it is VERY important!!!
T.G. answers from Sacramento on March 25, 2008
Spelt flour is another good option, but keep in mind that sometimes those with sensitivities to wheat may be sensitive to spelt. It's texture is very similar and a great replacement. We use it for variety and don't have wheat sensitivities. Cornstarch or arrowroot powder are great thickeners. There are also many gluten free products on the market, a bit spendy, but worth it as a treat to keep him motivated. Almond butter makes a great substitute for peanut butter in recipes. I know it seems stressful, but he really will eat when he gets hungry enough. When I first changed my daughter's diet to a vegan one when she was 3, I really stressed out about her lack of appetite. She's now 9 and her taste buds are fully adjusted. Hang in there. We will keep your family in prayer. :o)
L.J. answers from Sacramento on March 25, 2008
My husband is also allergic to wheat and dairy but not the others. I have found that barley and spelt flour are pretty good substitutes for wheat flour. Buckwheat can be added for some things as well and is high in protein. It is good in barley biscuits and pancakes. Barley and spelt are similar to wheat so use them with care to be certain he is not also allergic to them. Barley by itself is good in soups instead of noodles. We tried rice pasta but it was difficult, corn pasta was better. Ultimately it was better to just make a seperate batch of noodles for him and the best are just the plain asian rice noodles that you don't boil but just add hot water to and let them soften. Smoothies with whey powder and yogurt to add protein would be a good way to boost protein without eggs or legumes. Good luck and be creative.
M.B. answers from Sacramento on March 30, 2008
Good quality meats, with lots of veggies in butter from cultured milk. For sauce thickener use arrowroot.
Yoghurts, real ones, not the pretend with gelatin. I buy organic big tub of plain, whole milk yoghurt, and then my girl can flavor it according to her whims, one day with a bit of strawberry jam, another with a little maple syrup.
A lot of food allergies may disappear as he grow older, but then you already have laid a foundation for a life of good nutrition.
Lucky you...now your family will be healthier and live much better!
A.C. answers from San Francisco on March 25, 2008
Hi F.,
My son is allergic to peanuts, eggs, wheat and corn. If corn was not on your allergen test I suggest that you ask to have your child tested again. Many people do not know they are allergic to corn and it is in everything (including soy formula)!
For a special treat my son can have plain potato chips. Lays makes them with three ingredients: potatoes, sunflower oil and salt. When we go out I order a cheeseburger with no sauce or bun and french fries. At home he loves to eat rice and cucumber rolled in seaweed from the Korean market. Most of the fruits and vegetables I buy are organic. If they are not in season, I get them frozen at Trader Joe’s. Also, try plain rice cakes. The Asian markets have rice cakes with sugar.
I recently started using the cookbook Sophie Safe Cooking by Emily Hendrix. Many of the recipes call for oat flour which can be made in your blender. I buy oatmeal in bulk.
Having a kid with allergies is difficult and can be overwhelming. You are doing the right thing by asking for advice.
Hope this helps!
Angela
A.P. answers from Sacramento on March 25, 2008
Cornstarch is an excellent thickener for gravies and soups. There are other flours too, almond flour makes great dense cakes, and steaming the rice flour is the way to "bake" sticky cakes, he might love that kind of stuff. There's also mochi you can buy and bake at home, organic, with cinnamon and raisins. You score it, break it, and bake it off like cookies, my kid loves it. Sacto Co Op has it. Puffs into hot squares of not-too-sweet.
Also, I'd be making tons of kefir smoothies for such a kid, and cutting pretty much all legumes out completely. Sad!! It's harder to find processed foods without a lot of protein from legume based food. Yogurt with pureed veggies makes a great dip for stuff too.
our 2 year old loves sushi, chicken, veggie stir fries, and especially likes to help "cut" the veggies. She eats more when she can help out. That might get him to participate in meals more. Our kid isn't picky, but she's a very light eater.
Can your son handle Black beans, lentils or chickpeas? They are legumes, but they make great pasty sauces and are packed with protein. They might be different on his system, they're from a different part of the world.
Peanut allergies can be really scary, does he have trouble breathing from all of the foods you mentioned?
K.S. answers from San Francisco on April 20, 2008
My grandson is allergic to everthing you mentioned except soy. Whole foods has a great section of wheat free items and my daughter found great wheat free pasta there as well. My Grandson (age 3) also eats lots of veggies and fruit. My daughter has Kaiser and visited a dietitician. Also do a search for celiac disease, on the web, you will find some great ideas.
Goodluck!
A.K. answers from San Francisco on March 25, 2008
I can't help much but corn starch is what we use to thicken sauces at home.
Good luck
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