The Complete Guide To Food Allergies In Kids And The Substitutes You Need To Know

Dhvani Shah is a naturopathic nutritionist, speaker and author of “Don’t just feed…Nourish your childâ€_x009d_, “Super foods for Super Womanhoodâ€_x009d_ and “Jinahaarâ€_x009d_. She has done extensive research in traditional diet therapies and naturopathy and its relevance in modern context and is pioneering drugless healing and well being through her unique approach – FIMS (Food Is Medicine & Supplement). She runs the “FIMS clinicâ€_x009d_ which supports a body-mind-spirit approach. Dhvani specializes in Woman and Child Nutrition by developing specialized nutrition programs, conducting workshops, formulating nutritious recipes, writing books and newspaper articles.

When it comes to India, food intolerance is yet to be recognized as a cause of allergy in kids. Unlike other countries where food allergy in kids is treated with utmost seriousness, where most schools in the US and UK have ensured their students follow a nut free diet at school to make sure students allergic to peanuts are not exposed to the allergen.

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In India, food allergies are not considered to be a big deal. There is not much focus on ways to avoid it. Food labeling does not always list out all the information on the ingredients used, restaurants and even school staff are hardly aware of what to do if complications due to food allergies occurs.

But as parents we must be aware of food intolerance as a health concern amongst children so that we can take taking timely corrective action by spotting early signs.

Dietitian and Nutritionist- Dhvani Shah shares key food allergens and substitutes.

4 common foods that can trigger allergies in children :

1) Wheat: Gluten is a protein found in wheat which is the primary cause of allergies in children. About 10% of all gluten allergies in children are genetic while the remainder is caused either after surgery or by a reaction to medication. It also occurs in phases and is cured with time. Barley, oats and rye also have gluten which may cause similar allergic reaction.

Signs of Wheat Allergy in children: Watery diarrhoea, indigestion, nausea, excessive burping, headache, stomach ache, bloating due to swelling of the intestinal wall.

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2) Milk: Lactose is a milk protein that could cause allergies. About 60% of children worldwide are either lactose intolerant or unable to digest lactose. This allergy is of two types – primary and secondary. Primary lactose intolerance is when children cannot digest milk and milk products. Secondary lactose intolerance is when children cannot digest milk but can tolerate milk products like yoghurt & cheese.

Signs of Milk Allergy in children: Bloating, heaviness in the stomach, flatulence, diarrhoea, vomiting.

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3) Eggs: Many children are allergic to eggs – it can be an allergy to egg whites or yolk or both.

Signs of Milk Allergy in children: Skin reactions like red patches or rashes all over the body, stomach aches, wheezing or shortness of breath.

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4) Nuts: Peanut allergy is the most common amongst nut allergies. Children may also react to other nuts like almonds, hazelnuts, pistachios, walnuts, pecan etc.

Signs of nut allergy in children: Skin reactions like red patches or mild swelling of tongue, lips and eyes, nausea.

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Here are food substitutes to common food allergens to make sure your child gets the required nutrients.

• Substitutes for Wheat: Millets like jowar, bajra, ragi, rice for meals. Potato starch, corn starch, tapioca flour, xanthan gum for bakery foods.

• Substitutes for Eggs: Milk products, meat, pulses, soy for protein, baking powder, banana, apple sauce for baking
• Substitutes for Milk: Egg, meat, pulses, sprouts for protein, leafy vegetables, sesame, soy for calcium.
• Substitutes for Nuts : Seeds, soybean, fatty fish for essential oils. Dairy products, sprouts, meat for protein.

If your child has a food allergy:

1. It is absolutely normal for a child to have a food allergy, ensure you do a thorough diagnosis to know which food is the culprit and eliminate it from the diet.

2. Toddlers must be weaned carefully to check for allergies.

3. It is important to know that most food allergies in toddlers goes away after children turn 5 years old. Ask your health care expert to reintroduce foods after a certain age.

4. Children can be fussy eaters. They may reject food that is not appealing or appetising. Do not confuse this with an allergy.

Don’t let these food allergies come in between your  your child and his dessert cravings ,here are some of the best bakers in Mumbai who offer healthy, eggless, glutten free and nut free treats for kids!

And as the festive season draws near , find out which are the  foods for kids that you should skip and those that are totally worth indulging this season here.

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