Oh, Dearest Mother, Sweetest Virgin of Altagracia, our Patroness. You are our Advocate and to you we recommend our needs. You are our Teacher and like disciples we come to learn from the example of your holy life. You are our Mother, and like children, we come to offer you all of the love of our hearts. Receive, dearest Mother, our offerings and listen attentively to our supplications. Amen.



Active Topics || Favorites || Member List || Search || About Us || Help || Register || Login
Tea and Conversation
 4Real Forums : Tea and Conversation
Subject Topic: Friend needs food help Post ReplyPost New Topic
Author
Message << Prev Topic | Next Topic >>
MichelleW
Forum All-Star
Forum All-Star


Joined: April 01 2005
Location: Oregon
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 947
Posted: Aug 17 2006 at 8:05pm | IP Logged Quote MichelleW
A friend of mine just found out that her one year is allergic to cashews, milk and eggs. She is overwhelmed, discouraged and has no idea where to start or what to feed him. Anyone have any help?

Michelle
Back to Top View MichelleW's Profile Search for other posts by MichelleW
 
JennGM
Forum Moderator
Forum Moderator
Avatar

Joined: Feb 07 2005
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 17702
Posted: Aug 17 2006 at 8:50pm | IP Logged Quote JennGM
Amy(able) has children with those allergies. We have milk, eggs and wheat, but try to avoid treenuts, shellfish and peanuts right now, too.

I've been there, done that with a 1 year old and at first things seem overwhelming. I'd be glad to "write" to this mommy if she needs more advice. Just PM me.

One site that was just a comfort and guide in the new process was kidswithfoodallergies.org. It was a Yahoo group back then, now it's mushroomed. I pay a yearly fee, but for my peace of mind and support, it was worth it. Sometimes the parents are a bit more extreme than my comfort zone, but it was an oasis when I first got my diagnosis and my son had anaphylactic reactions.

And this site: The Pratt Family Allergy Free Cookbook and Resources just put together by a family. I was at first just doing dairy free, and found the site, with brand names, which was a lifesaver. Another site: Food Allergy Network.

My food blog has mostly recipes that are wheat, dairy and egg free...and I think nuts, too. See my signature. Amy's Food Blog has some ideas, too. and Stef's is the best, with lots of links -- her dh and kids have the same allergies as us -- She has some links that might help.

With our guy, we carry a insulated lunch box wherever he goes. We avoid eggs, wheat and milk, so he has his drinks, snacks and a meal.

He's never had a sandwich. I always make extra batches of rice or noodles and extra meat. He eats leftovers for lunch. Usually I have some kind of chicken and either rice or noodle and some veggie. I put in a storage container and serve later. I heat up and go. We go out to eat and bring his food. Sometimes we buy food there for him, but usually he eats his own food.

Cross contamination. At the early stages of your child's diagnosis, you want to avoid any contact. Find out about Kosher labeling or here. Call manufacturers. With the new allergy label law, you'll read "made in same facility that shares equipment with tree nuts, dairy, etc..." Sometimes these companies are just putting this on their label as protection. Call the manufacturer to get into your comfort zone. At first I avoided all, now I just stay away from the main ingredient label.

Is she nursing her baby? She'll have to avoid these foods, too. If she still has pregnancy weight, it will be a good thing!

Have her drop me a line if she has more questions or needs more help with specific food questions or just want a shoulder to cry on. I'm happy to help. I don't know at this stage what her child is eating. I'd also recommend going to her local library and checking out some books and just read.

She will be going through a grief process. Sorrow, anger, denial, jealousy of others who live a "normal" life...all sorts of emotions. Things will be quite different in her house to help her little one. It will affect the whole family, but she CAN do it. Her biggest tool is herself -- how much she can read and gather information and find out her comfort zone. She is the gatekeeper. It's a huge responsibility...but God picked her to be her baby's mommy, and He thinks she's the best for the job. She'll do great!

__________________
Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to & ds1 '03 & ds2 '07
Family in Feast and Feria
Back to Top View JennGM's Profile Search for other posts by JennGM Visit JennGM's Homepage
 
amyable
Forum All-Star
Forum All-Star
Avatar

Joined: March 07 2005
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 3798
Posted: Aug 17 2006 at 9:13pm | IP Logged Quote amyable
Jenn summed things up well there! I'd be happy to email or talk with her too if you'd like to PM me.

__________________
Amy
mom of 5, ages 6-16, and happy wife of
The Highly Sensitive Homeschooler
Back to Top View amyable's Profile Search for other posts by amyable
 

If you wish to post a reply to this topic you must first login
If you are not already registered you must first register

  [Add this topic to My Favorites] Post ReplyPost New Topic
Printable version Printable version

Forum Jump
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot create polls in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

Hosting and Support provided by theNetSmith.com