Food Allergies

Iridescent - posted on 09/02/2010

Also, check toothpaste, soap, laundry detergent. Often some of her allergens are contained in them. Envelope glue and the glue on stamps you lick contain gluten. Even if it's not something you would typically consider, think about it. If it touches her, you have to consider it. http://www.fastq.com/~jbpratt/recipes/al...



This appears to be a good website for recipes and products you can use, with a variety of allergies. http://www.livingwithout.com/



And a link for both dairy and gluten free - http://celiacdisease.about.com/od/theglu...

Lisa - posted on 09/02/2010

Amy has a great point about cross contamination. We have a separate toaster for my husband, separate peanut butter, jelly, etc. If I make a sandwich, I have to use a different knife to make his. Also, if you are out and get french fries, make sure that they are done separately from the breaded items like nuggets. I forgot to say that!

Iridescent - posted on 09/02/2010

It's going to be ok! We have a 3 year old (well, 3 of them, but one with the allergies). He was reacting to so much we finally had to do testing. First, go ahead with the biopsy. With the trend of her allergies, it's very likely the cause of the problem. Second, make sure the doctor ran the Immunoglobulin series to make sure she has the correct amounts of each. The base cause of our child's allergies ended up being total IgA Deficiency - his body has none. It causes a lot of problems we hadn't connected before.

Those particular allergies are similar to our child's and it's a real pain. Ours is allergic to cows milk, goats milk, tomatoes, and intolerant to soy and citrus. He also has environmental allergies. Things to check - do any of the foods you give contain whey, casein, hydrosolate? Those are other labels for milk you may not be aware of. Also, if she's on any medications, make certain they don't contain any of those ingredients. Prevacid, for example, contains milk. Many medications contain wheat. Make sure. These little name changes are very hard to deal with. Go through the school menu carefully if she attends school, and bring your own snacks for her.

Since there is no milk substitute you can safely really use, unless you want to try coconut (not sure if that's a tree nut...) or almond milk, just skip them. Give water and supplement with EO28 Splash - sign up for WIC and call Neocate for free samples. Seriously. We just picked up a month's supply for our child and he was prescribed 2 boxes/day (juice box style). It cost over $300. The company is excellent though and sends 6 free boxes to trial, and WIC didn't question the need after going through the allergy list. This gives you a little leeway to figure out what she can safely eat. Get help from a dietitian trained with severe food allergies if you can. Get a menu and recipes from them. Also make certain if you have wooden utensils you cook with, or wood cutting boards, do not use them on her food as cross contamination will effect her. Either eliminate gluten throughout the house, or buy separate utensils, or go to plastic or metal vs wood.

Lisa - posted on 09/02/2010

My husband has celiac so I can help with that. Below is some info on Gluten/Wheat free foods:
I looked through our cupboards for some brands.
Under specialty gluten free products - Pamela's Baking and Pancake mix. You can't go wrong with her stuff. It's good. I think we get it at the local health food store.
Kinnikinnick White Sandwich bread. (see - hard to pronounce!!) We used to get it at the health food store but now Kroger (a grocery store here) carries it. Still expensive but good. You have to toast it.
Tinkyada rice pasta - they have everything and its good. Walmart sells it here.
Annie's Rice Pasta and Chedder (mac and cheese that's really good.) I get that at Walmart as well.
Some none specialty foods:
Betty Crocker cake mix, frosting and brownies. They are sooo good! - Look for the ones that specifically say wheat and gluten free
Chex Mix - look at the labels
Old El Paso taco shells and original seasoning
Hormel pepperoni - use corn tortillas and make your own "pizza"
Prego Mushroom tomato sauce - add sugar to help with the acidity
Sara Lee Honey Ham and Turkey; Boars Head meats
Land o Lakes salted butter and American cheese (at the deli counter)
Motts applesauce - cinnamon and original

Some major restaurant chains with gluten free menus - Outback, Carrabas, PF Changs

Alright - you are probably bored now! Perdue chicken is all gluten free that Walmart and Sams club carries.
Tostitos, Utz BBQ and Plain potato chips are also gluten free.
Hope that helps. Wendy's chili is gluten free. Also, if you have an iPhone they have an app that will tell you what foods are gluten and wheat free. Good luck!
Lisa