Multiple Food Allergies and how to make every bite count
Multiple food allergies need for every bite to count. Small tummies fill up quickly, so you want to make sure every bite is full of nutrition! This can be a challenge because your child’s food choices may be limited either by what they CAN safely eat or what they are WILLING to eat.
Sometimes it may seem like their most desired foods are chips and crackers or sweet treats and cereal. These foods lack sufficient vitamins, minerals, protein, fiber, and fat. These foods lack all nutrients that growing children need.
For kids with multiple food allergies on an elimination diet, good nutrition can still be achieved. Be sure to offer fresh fruits and vegetables and combine foods that are lacking nutrition with foods that are naturally nutrition-packed or fortified.
How do you do that with multiple food allergies?
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Spreads and dips
are a great way to add nutrition to chips, crackers and sandwiches. Any kind of bean makes a great high-protein, high-fiber spread or dip. Try re-fried pinto beans with salsa or avocado, garbanzo beans with lemon juice and garlic.
Vegan mayonnaise can also be a good base for a dip or spread. Or try an allergen-free version with Neocate. Boost the nutrition of vegan mayonnaise by adding mashed avocado and/or mashed beans with one tablespoon Neocate Junior for every tablespoon of mayonnaise. Adding unflavored Neocate Junior works well for savory dips and spreads and not only adds vitamins, minerals, protein and fat but prebiotics also helps to feed the bacteria in the your child’s intestine. Strawberry or Chocolate Neocate can be mixed with coconut cream or non-dairy yogurt for a sweet dip, or try this sweet dipping sauce recipe. -
Vegan cheeses
made from rice or tapioca are great for adding variety but do not have the nutrients your child needs. Serve with a slice of meat or fortify your condiments by mixing unflavored Neocate Junior with vegan cream cheese or mayonnaise. -
Trail mix
include gluten-free pretzels, cereal, freeze-dried fruits and, sunflower seeds. These ingredients are great for protein. Look for cereals that are fortified, and wheat-free. -
Homemade baked goods
are easy to “home-fortify.” Use sunflower butter for 1/2 of the fat in cookie recipes; add chopped raisins or other dried fruit to cookies or muffins. Create custom cookie or muffin flavors by adding a few scoops of flavored Neocate Junior to your favorite recipes. Find guidance on cooking with Neocate Junior here. -
Smoothies and shakes with
fruits and vegetables, proteins and fats, are good meal replacements. Toss in some avocado or 2-3 scoops of Neocate Junior to keep your child ready to play and learn. Find some recipes here.
-Patricia Novak, MPH, RD, CLE, LD
Today’s guest blog post is by Patricia Novack. Patricia has 30 years of experience working with children and adolescents with autism, developmental disabilities, food allergies and chronic illness. Her work includes clinical practice in both hospital and community based programs, professional training and curriculum development. The common thread throughout has been addressing feeding issues in children from infancy through adolescence.
updated January 24, 2019
