Although 30% of American children are allergic to one or more foods, the several recipe books available to help plan safe meals for them (and for the 10% of adults who share their allergies) lack comprehensive guidance on other aspects of the problem. Your Food Allergic Child: A Parent's Guide was created specifically to overcome those deficiencies. In addition to an extensive assortment of recipes and reliable guidance on feeding the allergic child (at home, at school, and while traveling), other sections include reference charts to the nutrient and chemical contents of common foods, medications, and grocery brands. The book includes a foreword by Frederic Speer, M.D., nationally recognized authority on food allergies and author of several books on the subject. Janet Meizel is a lecturer in the Department of Community Health, University of California School of Medicine, Davis, CA.

YOUR FOOD ALLERGIC CHILD

A parent's guide Updated resources, recipes and moreBy Janet E. Meizel

iUniverse, Inc.

Copyright © 2010 Janet E. Meizel
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4502-5719-0

Contents

FOREWORD by Frederic Speer, M.D........................ixINTRODUCTION...........................................1CHILDREN'S SPECIAL.....................................7Infants................................................7Toddlers...............................................9Preschool Age..........................................9Elementary School Age..................................12Traveling..............................................13Notes on Formulas......................................15Party Specials.........................................60Children's Favorites...................................63RECIPES................................................81Vegetables and Noodles.................................81Meats..................................................116Beef...................................................116Veal...................................................130Lamb...................................................132Pork...................................................140Chicken................................................141Turkey.................................................158Turnovers..............................................160Varied Meats...........................................163Meat Sauces............................................164Seafood................................................167Soups..................................................171Salads.................................................192Salad Dressings........................................198Breads and Cereals.....................................201Beverages..............................................227Desserts...............................................230Pies and Pastries......................................231Fruits.................................................237Gelatins...............................................242Puddings...............................................244Cookies................................................248Cakes..................................................256Candy..................................................266Sweet Spreads..........................................269Sweet Sauces and Syrups................................273REFERENCE MATERIALS....................................276Cooking Tips...........................................276Home Preparation of Basic Supplies.....................277Nutrient Tables and Food Families......................281Labeling and Additives.................................304Medications............................................312Resources..............................................316Bibliography...........................................348RECIPE INDEX...........................................353

Chapter One

CHILDREN'S SPECIAL

INFANTS

It has been reported that there is a major growth in the food-allergic population in the United States. The reasons for this have not been discovered although there are many theories.

Scientists have discovered some genetic involvement in the transmission of allergic tendencies from one generation to the next. If you or your spouse have allergies, your children have a greater chance of developing allergic problems than if neither of you are affected. There are some things you can do to at least delay the onset of symptoms and give the baby's digestive system more time to develop. (Some physicians feel that the younger infant's less-developed digestive system allows more antibody-producing material to enter the baby's bloodstream, beginning the allergic process.)

Most authorities recommend that a mother nurse her baby if at all possible. No known cases of allergy to mother's milk have been found. It is wise, however, to keep track of what the mother eats. Some of the protein which the mother ingests can pass through her milk and cause symptoms in the baby. For example, if the mother eats fish and after nursing notices that the baby has more colic than usual, or has diarrhea, or is unusually stuffy, it is a good idea for her not to eat that same type of fish during the months she is nursing. This applies to all foods - and even to vitamins and medication which the mother might take. For questions about medication, consult the physician who prescribed it, or an allergist.

Physicians who deal extensively with allergic babies often recommend that they not be given solid food too early, and that once solid food is given, the introduction should be gradual. Introducing each food separately, with ample time between additions, makes it much easier to detect any existing sensitivities. It is much easier to do this with an infant than to try to put a school-age child on an elimination diet when he already has strong opinions about foods that he does or doesn't like.

It is also important to keep the young child's diet simple. By this I mean that each food given to the infant should have as few ingredients as possible. Some prepared baby and toddler foods contain many ingredients, which make careful label-reading a "must" for the parents of either an allergic baby or one who is suspected of having allergies. Also note that there are often ingredients that are considered to be so common in certain foods that they are not required to be on the label. Finally, keep track of the note on packages that say that an item was produced in a facility that also processes nuts, wheat, soy or other common allergens.

Perhaps the most important hint for parents is to choose a physician with whom you have good communication, with whom you are comfortable, and most important, who is knowledgeable in the field of allergy- especially pediatric allergy. It is a relatively new field, and many physicians have not received sufficient training in diagnosing and treating the less frequent manifestations of allergic disease. If you feel that you are not receiving adequate assistance with your baby or child, seek more qualified help.

TODDLERS

Toddlers learn everything very quickly, and it is amazing to see the level of responsibility a two-or-three-year-old can accept for her own diet. If a child has had several allergic episodes, she will usually be willing to avoid the things she associates with that discomfort, and some gentle reinforcement by parents will do wonders. For example, when the offending food is offered, simply saying "that makes your tummy hurt" or "that makes you wheeze" or "that makes you itch" gives the child a direct association which can easily be remembered between the food and a symptom.

At this stage, if the toddler is cared for at home, her opportunities to make dietary mistakes are limited, and most playmates' mothers are willing to make the necessary provisions for snacks. If this is not possible, however, it makes good sense to the toddler to bring her own refreshments.

PRESCHOOL AGE

When your child is a bit older and actually plays with other children or goes to nursery school, sharing becomes a major theme in his life. Protecting him from the foods to which he is allergic becomes more complicated. Sometimes it is a good idea to prepare a snack for the entire group so that the allergic child does not constantly feel stigmatized. There will still be some rough moments. A lunchbox is a real status symbol for this group, and often several children will bring them...