DS1 just diagnosed with milk, egg, nut allergies- help please!

[pudge the fish]

you may want to pop over to the disABILITIES board as many over there deal with allergies to food. Lots of good advice from some people in the know

 

[allyphoe]

We have only been on rice milk a few days and it just isnt satisfying him. For instance, before all of this he would have a sippy cup of milk before bed and make it through the night without anything else but that sippy cup of rice milk will not get him through the night.

Neither rice nor soy milks are nutritionally equivalent to whole cow's milk. Both have far less fat, which a 1yo needs for brain development, and rice milk has virtually no protein. Rice milk is a great substitute for cooking and the occasional drink, but is *not* a good one-for-one substitute for whole cow's milk for a young child who had previously been drinking large amounts (more than a few ounces a day) of cow's milk. Think of it as the equivalent of apple juice - mostly carbs.

Assuming that he's getting enough protein from the rest of his diet (and I'd do a food log for a week or so to verify that, if he'd been getting a lot of nutrition from cow's milk), and it's mostly the fat to carry him through the night, try adding a tablespoon or two of coconut milk (neither nut nor milk!) to the rice milk. It's very high in fat, and tastes good. If you need to supplement protein, too, until he's eating more high-protein foods, you can get rice protein powder at a health food store.

My DD reacted to dairy and wheat when she was a baby, so I had to eliminate those things from my diet. (Most kids don't react to mom's diet. Mine did.) She was breastfed though, so had a reliable fat/protein source until she outgrew her allergies. That took about a year.

 

[momma_mouse]

Can he have almonds? If so, try almond milk inst4ead of the rice milk. It has more fat (which he needs being as young as he is) and I've heard it is very good. Most young children like it very well.

 

[left210]

My daughter was diagnosed with life threatening allergies to dairy, soy, egg, peanuts and tree nuts, right around age one. I think one of the best things we did was made an appointment with a pediatric nutritionist. She helped us learn how to balance our daughter's diet and helped us find a nutritional supplement to replace milk (since she was also allergic to soy, soy products weren't an option either) so she could continue to grow and develop within the normal range. She did stress that rice milk was fine for cereal, but NOT a nutritionally sound replacement for cow's milk or formula.

So what did she recommend for a replacement to cows milk because we have been using rice milk only.

Thanks for all of the encouragement and help from everyone. The people on the dis continue to amaze me at how wonderful they are.

 

[allyphoe]

Can he have almonds? If so, try almond milk inst4ead of the rice milk. It has more fat

I've never seen almond milk that had significantly more fat than rice milk. They're both about the equivalent of 1% milk, fat-wise. The almond milk I got had some protein (vs. the zero in rice milk), but still isn't nutritionally comparable to whole cow's milk.

IMHO almond milk is delicious, though. Unsweetened chocolate Almond Breeze makes the best "milkshakes" with a frozen banana.

 

[MSSANDRA]

Someone mentioned sunbutter. I have been a little unsure about using it with our two year old as I was afraid he might confuse it with peanut butter and eat that if he had the chance. I would love to be able to do a sunbutter and jelly sandwich for him. Anyone have these concerns and are they valid or will it be fine??????????

 

[Avonlady1001]

I have no advice...just wanted to give you .

 

[left210]

Any suggestions on what to flavor pasta with for a one year old since we cannot use dairy.

 

[allyphoe]

Any suggestions on what to flavor pasta with for a one year old since we cannot use dairy.

Earth Balance margarine is dairy-free (vegan), and tastes the same as butter to me. I don't even like dairy margarine, and I liked it fine.

Tomato sauce if you've introduced tomatoes.

Silken tofu blended smooth, and mixed with ranch dressing mix.

If you can do sesame, tahini makes a great "peanut" sauce for noodles. Just take a normal satay / sesame noodle recipe, and sub tahini for the peanut butter.

I hear that nutritional yeast makes a good cheese substitute (it provides the same salty / umami combination that parmesan would, for instance), but I really like cheese, so just chose to eat normally cheese-free things. It's really nutrient-dense, so a good flavoring agent for a kid.

You might get suggestions for some kid-friendly food from http://veganlunchbox.blogspot.com/ , although her kid is fine with nuts, so you obviously have to watch out for that. The presentation is really cute, though.

 

[abc123mom]

So what did she recommend for a replacement to cows milk because we have been using rice milk only.

Thanks for all of the encouragement and help from everyone. The people on the dis continue to amaze me at how wonderful they are.

My daughter has been drinking NeoCate since she was one. It is a nutritional supplement and can be quite expensive. In the beginning she went through several cups a day. Now she is down to one packet (200ml) a day. You have to have physician's info to purchase it, but it is not prescribed, for that reason it is not covered by most insurance plans. Many insurance plans cover it if it is fed through a tube, but not if the child is drinking it from a cup Gotta love insurance!

Any suggestions on what to flavor pasta with for a one year old since we cannot use dairy.

The nutritionist also suggested we add olive oil to our daughter's diet to add fat. She used to love pasta mixed with vegetables and drizzled with olive oil. We've also used many varieties of pasta sauce, as well as ketchup in a pinch. She also likes pasta mixed with pizza sauce and some sausage or pepperoni mixed in. You could also use a dairy free margarine and just add a bit of that. We use Fleischmann's unsalted margarine.

Any other questions, feel free to ask.

 

[MisplacedTraveler]

First off, let me say that my daughter cannot have any milk and milk products. My BFF daughter is allergic to milk and eggs. So, I have some experience in this area. Good luck and once you get the hang of it, it is second-nature!

In the US, the labeling on products is really good. Another name for milk that you need to be aware of is whey. Just make sure to read the label each and every time you buy the product because sometimes ingredients change.

We use Benecol (butter substitute) because it does not have any diary in it. Prego Fresh Mushroom spaghetti sauce does not have any milk products in it.

We have found that there are several brands of cookies that do not have milk in them. So, just read your labels.

Below is a recipe for awesome breakfast bars - just follow the dairy free options.

Oatmeal Cinnamon Bars
2 cups uncooked rolled quick oats (Old Fashioned Oats might work but I'm not sure.)
1/2 cup shortening or margarine (softened)
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup raisins (or other fruits) or baking chips or 1/4 cup of each (optional)
2 tablespoons honey

Note: For a dairy-free diet, use acceptable margarine or white shortening,
and chocolate chips.

In a mixing bowl, add oats, brown sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, and
raisins and/or baking chips (optional). Mix. Add the softened margarine
(or shortening). Mix with a mixture (two knives or pastry blender). Place
mixture in an 8 or 9 inch square pan. Pat down firmly using a dry
measuring cup and the sides with a spoon. Bake in a 350 degree F.
oven for about 20 to 25 minutes (Use the highest amount of time for a
lower temperature oven). Cool some. Cut into bars and cool some more.


Chocolate Oatmeal Cinnamon Bars
Follow the above recipe except add 1/4 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder.

 

[monorailsilver]

My 5 yo ds is allergic to dairy, peanut, tree nut & egg whites although he can have egg whites if they are cooked in something but he can't have a meringue.

We use Earth Balance & I use it for cooking too.

Tyson Chicken nuggets are a huge hit here! I can't remember if they have egg in them. I even wrote Tyson to thank them & they sent me a coupons.

Soynut butter & no my ds does not get confused by it.

Freihoffers breads we use. But I know there are other breads.

Toffutti cream cheese, sour cream & ice cream.

So Delicious ice cream & Rice Dream ice cream (my ds likes the 3 flavors currently).

I buy Ghiradelli semi sweet mini morsels for cookies that he won't eat.

Dunkin Hines he is OK with even though they are made on the same line (his dairy allergy was over 100 when under 2 is normal, he is now in the low 30's-that is the blood test).

I just found Rich's Whip in a little carton at Shaws in the kosher section & made it & it is yummy (whipped cream).

 

[monorailsilver]

I clicked submit before I was done...

Toffuti frozen pizza is a big hit when we order out pizza.

From the Yahoo email message thing that I belong to someone posted that they add apple juice instead of milk in pancakes. I use Bisquick. I have also made biscuits with apple juice & they taste yummy as well as muffins.

My son is a healthy kid. He would pick a grapefruit over cake. He does not like cake or cookies for some reason.

He will eat Oreo's, chocolate covered marshmellow, grahms or mint grahms. We get either the Stop & Shop brand or Walmart.

Rice Krispie treats from Target, the Target brand to be exact are dairy free. I sent them to school with my ds for birthday parties since they are pre packaged.

I do remember that first month of reading labels. But now it is so easy since I know what to buy & sometimes I look for new things.

Cereals are pretty easy as are pop tarts, minus the chocolate ones (unless they are store brand) or the ones that have cream/milk in their title. We buy Rice Krispies, cocoa krispies, mini wheats, frosted flakes, cherrios, trix, froot loops, etc...

People do say to me "it must be so hard" but it really isn't anymore. We don't go out to eat other then McD's or BK. My ds gets the burgers since the nuggets have milk in them/their breading or they are fried with something that does.

I don't shop at Whole Foods or any other health food store. I shop at my regular grocery store.

I do have a list of ingreidients if you need it as to what to watch out for, pm me if you want it.

 

[Erin1700]

I know someone mentioned hot dogs...some hot dogs have milk products in them. Read the labels carefully.

My DS2 is allergic to peanuts. We thought of giving him the almond butter or sunflower kind, but I was also afraid he would confuse the 2. It is amazing how they catch on though, we were at a party last night and he wanted a cupcake. Before I could say anything, he went over to the hostess and said "S'cuse me, I can have this? no peanut butter?"

 

[MomTo4+more]

We have been dealing with peanut, nut and egg for years now. The baby was just diagnosed with milk protein allergy. I am just starting to learn what I can serve without making two different meals!

Tyson chicken nuggets worked for us - but I haven't had them in awhile, so check the label.

My milk allergy baby drinks Bright Beginnings Soy Pediatric Drink. It is basically a Pediasure with no milk. Some insurances cover it if you get a prescription.

A good egg substitute for baking is ground flax seed. You use one tablespoon of flax seed and three tablespoons of water for each egg. Let it sit a good few minutes before using. It works well in breads, cookies, pancakes, and waffles. It doesn't work so well in brownies. You can use juice or water in place of the milk when baking.

Food allergies are no fun, but you sure learn to get creative!

 

[WeLoveLilo05]

DD was diagnosed with a peanut allergy about 2 years ago. We keep her away from tree nuts as well.

I agree with a previous poster that General Mills has good labeling.

One thing we have found at Wegmans and now our Shop Rite is Enjoy Life foods. They are gluten free and free of the eight most common allergens. The cookies (no matter what kind) kind of taste a bit like fig newtons. We have also had Divvies on our Disney trips, but I have yet to see these in stores around here, they do have a website to order from though.

I think you asked about a safe pasta dish? I am unsure if a 1 year old would enjoy this taste, but I always sautee some garlic and oil, throw in the pasta and some broccoli florettes w/ some salt n pepper. I put parm. cheese on top, but this dish tastes fine w/o it, my mom HATES cheese and never puts it on hers.

Just read EVERY single label, even if it is something you always get, sometimes companies may change ingredients. When DD was 1st diagnosed I remember running to the store and picking up Mickey Mouse Ravioli when I went to boil it, I just read the label quickly and it was processed in a plant that has peanuts....yes ravioli, would have never thought!
I asked allergist about "processed, manufactured, etc" and he said everyone is different and go with how she reacts to it. I kind of felt like he was dancing around giving me a firm answer...I have just chosen to keep her away from those items that say anything about nuts altogether. In my opinion it is on there for a reason.

 

[mom2grace]

DD couldn't do cow's milk and we did soy formula until she was 2. The soy milk wasn't enough for her as well and it gave us some safety net for calories, nutrients, etc. You might consider this and talk to your Dr.

Thanks for the encouragement. What kind of pastas did you use? I thought most pastas had egg in them. I realize you didnt have an egg allergy so that might have been ok for you. Did you just stop the milk cold turkey? We have only been on rice milk a few days and it just isnt satisfying him. For instance, before all of this he would have a sippy cup of milk before bed and make it through the night without anything else but that sippy cup of rice milk will not get him through the night. I am using the enriched rice milk but it just doesnt have as much fat as whole milk so that is why I am guessing it isnt fulfilling him enough.

 

[mom2grace]

I also remember that we did a lot of avocadoes for fat. I just cut them into chunks. She loved them, won't touch them now! She's 8.

 

[riley2008]

I had an array of food allergies growing up - many causing reactions to my breathing and skin. (Egg whites and yolks, milk, peanuts, chicken, rice, and corn to name a few.)

I don't know if doctors discussed any "treatment" options with you other than avoid the food at all cost. This is NOT what you asked and you didn't share, but if you know the severity of the allergy that would certainly be beneficial. There were certain foods that I had to avoid and some I could have as long as they were in cooked items (I couldn't not eat eggs, but could have a muffin made with egg.)

When I was little (I'm 37 now) my family was in the military and rarely lived on base, so my mother usually took the advice of the locals, more than the military doctors. So, in addition to avoiding the potentially harmful foods, she also gave many of them to me daily in very tiny doses - touched the peanut everyday forever then got the dust on my tongue, etc. (I still eat three peanuts in the morning and before bed ) I do NOT advocate this, but essentially, she was building my immunity. After we moved stateside, I started allergy shots. The doctors couldn't believe the change in results from two years previous. They swore that the ratings of my allergens were in error - they were still there, but mild (hence started the allergy injections).

I also showed improvement with these too. I began eating PB&J nearly everyday in high school. Still love it.

I stopped allergy shots about age 15. I'm back on them (6 months ago) because of a new shrimp and tomatoe allergy (and don't forget the never ending pollens). I'm hoping it works as well. (Sorry to highjack your post.)

Anyway, to you and your DS. I hope it's only temporary.

 

[MSSANDRA]

Doctors are now doing some of the same things that Riley's mom did. We go back in October to discuss these treatment plans. It is a long term treatment (years) but has great potential for some children.

I agree to NEVER try it on your own but do discuss it with your doctor. Many children do out grow the egg and milk but few outgrow the peanut.