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Bridget Leigh Pugh is a wife, Stay-at-Home
Mother of two children, and dual business owner
in Houston, Texas specializing in Organic
cuisine. Her work in Fair Trade and support of
local farmers is known throughout the Southern
United States. Check out http://www.fudgette.com
Mother of two children, and dual business owner
in Houston, Texas specializing in Organic
cuisine. Her work in Fair Trade and support of
local farmers is known throughout the Southern
United States. Check out http://www.fudgette.com
"The trick is to know where the
Healthy Houston Hot Spots are and
what to get when you are there."
Healthy Houston Hot Spots are and
what to get when you are there."
Want to cook healthy for your family but you're
not sure where to begin? Here's your chance
to ask a real live chef!
Email Bridget now.
not sure where to begin? Here's your chance
to ask a real live chef!
Email Bridget now.
Food Allergies
How to Keep Your Child Healthy and Happy with a Food
Allergy
According to pediatricians, about 6% of children in the US suffer from some
sort of food allergy. By definition, a food allergy, or hypersensitivity, is an
abnormal response to a food triggered by the immune system. For some
children, the reaction can be as bothersome as a case of the hives to as life-
threatening as anaphylaxis. And, while many Americans have intolerances
to certain food groups, only a few actually can die from a true food allergy.
However, food intolerances do require planning and avoiding the triggers to
lead a comfortable lifestyle. So what should Moms do if their child has a
food allergy or intolerance? This article walks you through what happens in
the body during a true food allergy, how to decrease your child’s chances of
being allergic to certain foods, how to keep allergic kiddos safe, and all the
basics on being healthy- and happy- with a food allergy.
What exactly is an allergy? An allergy is when the body reacts in two areas in
response to a particular stimulus. One is an antibody that the immune
system produces called immunoglobulin E (IgE for short Moms!) and the
other is a type of cell called a mast cell. Mast cells are the most
concentrated in the parts of the body that most allergy sufferers usually see
the reaction: nose, throat, lungs, skin, and gastrointestinal tract. Once first
exposed to an allergen, the tiny partials of proteins in the food cause the IgE
to form, and then it attaches to the mast cells. The next time the food is
eaten, the body reacts by producing histamine and other chemicals- also
known as an allergic reaction.
Now that the boring science class is over, what are the most common food
allergies in kids? Eggs, milk, peanuts, soy, and wheat are the main
culprits. Many children also have multiple food allergies. The most
common reaction in children is hives, but other symptoms you should be on
the lookout for are tingling in the mouth, swelling of the tongue and throat,
difficulty breathing, stomach cramps, vomiting, diarrhea, and eczema can
also occur in varying degrees. To stop these reactions, children can take an
antihistamine (such as Benadryl) or for more severe reactions, epinephrine.
Doctors can do allergy tests on children to determine what foods cause what
reactions, and allergy testing can yield positive results at any age. You can
ask your pediatrician to perform food allergy testing, and a pediatric allergist
can do lots of different types of testing. Just ask what is available!
Mom there are some things you can do from the beginning to decrease your
child’s chances of developing food allergies. Breastfeeding exclusively for
the first six months, and then continuing until at least 12 months is a great
way to strengthen a baby’s immune system. Also, by avoiding tree nuts and
peanuts during breastfeeding, as well as eggs, cow milk, and fish, you can
give your baby’s body more time to mature before introducing high-risk
foods. If you need to supplement, try a hypoallergenic formula such as
Nutramigen. Although it could be tempting to let your baby try solid foods, try
to wait until at least six months for iron-fortified cereal, then wait until 12
months to add in milk and dairy. You might be surprised to learn that
pediatric allergists recommend waiting until age two to add eggs (especially
egg whites) and age three to add peanuts, tree nuts, and fish.
Even the moms who follow the textbook when introducing their child to high
risk foods may still find themselves with a child with a food allergy. Food
allergies require a lot of planning and label-reading, but with time any mom
can get used to being careful. Quaker products have easy to spot allergy
info on every label, under a “Contains Wheat, Soy, Milk, and Eggs”
statement. Many other manufacturers are adding this easy-to-spot list as
well. New food labeling rules require companies to plainly list the most
common ingredients that trigger allergies on the labels, so Moms can rest
assured that if the most 8 common food allergens are in a product, they will
be listed in plain English on the content label.
There are so many cool new products for kids with food allergies! Gluten-
free Mac and Cheese and Cake mixes, Dairy-free string cheese and Soy-
based milk products in lots of fun flavors, and organic fruits and veggies that
are cut-up and packaged in kid-friendly portions are all great alternatives for
kids who might not be able to partake in traditional foods. The keys to
helping a child with food allergies feel like they fit in is to make it a “Small
Deal” and to have fun, interesting alternatives with plenty to share. By not
turning more attention to a child’s alternative food around their friends, they
feel more at ease with eating differently. If the attention does turn to the
allergic child, by having interesting, cool food with a few extra bites to share
makes the allergic child a Star!
As a mom, you should never feel bad about setting up a safe barrier for your
allergic child. Teachers, day care employees, and parents of friends need to
know which foods are dangerous and which foods are allowed. Schools are
equipped to deal with allergies, and always keep the necessary medication
close to where your child will be. Teach the child how to deal with a situation
regarding the allergy as well. Teach children to say, “Thank you but this food
might make me sick. Can we call my Mom or Dad to ask if I am allergic to
this food first?” This simple statement could save their lives.
Knowing what really happens in the body during an allergic reaction is an
important (albeit a bit boring!) thing to know, and now you’re ready to face the
world confidently, ready to help your children live a full, fun life- allergies and
all!
How to Keep Your Child Healthy and Happy with a Food
Allergy
According to pediatricians, about 6% of children in the US suffer from some
sort of food allergy. By definition, a food allergy, or hypersensitivity, is an
abnormal response to a food triggered by the immune system. For some
children, the reaction can be as bothersome as a case of the hives to as life-
threatening as anaphylaxis. And, while many Americans have intolerances
to certain food groups, only a few actually can die from a true food allergy.
However, food intolerances do require planning and avoiding the triggers to
lead a comfortable lifestyle. So what should Moms do if their child has a
food allergy or intolerance? This article walks you through what happens in
the body during a true food allergy, how to decrease your child’s chances of
being allergic to certain foods, how to keep allergic kiddos safe, and all the
basics on being healthy- and happy- with a food allergy.
What exactly is an allergy? An allergy is when the body reacts in two areas in
response to a particular stimulus. One is an antibody that the immune
system produces called immunoglobulin E (IgE for short Moms!) and the
other is a type of cell called a mast cell. Mast cells are the most
concentrated in the parts of the body that most allergy sufferers usually see
the reaction: nose, throat, lungs, skin, and gastrointestinal tract. Once first
exposed to an allergen, the tiny partials of proteins in the food cause the IgE
to form, and then it attaches to the mast cells. The next time the food is
eaten, the body reacts by producing histamine and other chemicals- also
known as an allergic reaction.
Now that the boring science class is over, what are the most common food
allergies in kids? Eggs, milk, peanuts, soy, and wheat are the main
culprits. Many children also have multiple food allergies. The most
common reaction in children is hives, but other symptoms you should be on
the lookout for are tingling in the mouth, swelling of the tongue and throat,
difficulty breathing, stomach cramps, vomiting, diarrhea, and eczema can
also occur in varying degrees. To stop these reactions, children can take an
antihistamine (such as Benadryl) or for more severe reactions, epinephrine.
Doctors can do allergy tests on children to determine what foods cause what
reactions, and allergy testing can yield positive results at any age. You can
ask your pediatrician to perform food allergy testing, and a pediatric allergist
can do lots of different types of testing. Just ask what is available!
Mom there are some things you can do from the beginning to decrease your
child’s chances of developing food allergies. Breastfeeding exclusively for
the first six months, and then continuing until at least 12 months is a great
way to strengthen a baby’s immune system. Also, by avoiding tree nuts and
peanuts during breastfeeding, as well as eggs, cow milk, and fish, you can
give your baby’s body more time to mature before introducing high-risk
foods. If you need to supplement, try a hypoallergenic formula such as
Nutramigen. Although it could be tempting to let your baby try solid foods, try
to wait until at least six months for iron-fortified cereal, then wait until 12
months to add in milk and dairy. You might be surprised to learn that
pediatric allergists recommend waiting until age two to add eggs (especially
egg whites) and age three to add peanuts, tree nuts, and fish.
Even the moms who follow the textbook when introducing their child to high
risk foods may still find themselves with a child with a food allergy. Food
allergies require a lot of planning and label-reading, but with time any mom
can get used to being careful. Quaker products have easy to spot allergy
info on every label, under a “Contains Wheat, Soy, Milk, and Eggs”
statement. Many other manufacturers are adding this easy-to-spot list as
well. New food labeling rules require companies to plainly list the most
common ingredients that trigger allergies on the labels, so Moms can rest
assured that if the most 8 common food allergens are in a product, they will
be listed in plain English on the content label.
There are so many cool new products for kids with food allergies! Gluten-
free Mac and Cheese and Cake mixes, Dairy-free string cheese and Soy-
based milk products in lots of fun flavors, and organic fruits and veggies that
are cut-up and packaged in kid-friendly portions are all great alternatives for
kids who might not be able to partake in traditional foods. The keys to
helping a child with food allergies feel like they fit in is to make it a “Small
Deal” and to have fun, interesting alternatives with plenty to share. By not
turning more attention to a child’s alternative food around their friends, they
feel more at ease with eating differently. If the attention does turn to the
allergic child, by having interesting, cool food with a few extra bites to share
makes the allergic child a Star!
As a mom, you should never feel bad about setting up a safe barrier for your
allergic child. Teachers, day care employees, and parents of friends need to
know which foods are dangerous and which foods are allowed. Schools are
equipped to deal with allergies, and always keep the necessary medication
close to where your child will be. Teach the child how to deal with a situation
regarding the allergy as well. Teach children to say, “Thank you but this food
might make me sick. Can we call my Mom or Dad to ask if I am allergic to
this food first?” This simple statement could save their lives.
Knowing what really happens in the body during an allergic reaction is an
important (albeit a bit boring!) thing to know, and now you’re ready to face the
world confidently, ready to help your children live a full, fun life- allergies and
all!