4Real Forums: Friend needs food help

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Topic: Friend needs food help

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MichelleW
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Joined: April 01 2005
Location: Oregon
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Posts: 947

Posted: Aug 17 2006 at 8:05pm \| IP Logged

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

JennGM
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Joined: Feb 07 2005
Location: Virginia
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Posts: 17702

Posted: Aug 17 2006 at 8:50pm \| IP Logged

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

amyable
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Joined: March 07 2005
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Posts: 3798

Posted: Aug 17 2006 at 9:13pm \| IP Logged

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

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