The most common food allergens are soy, gluten, dairy, fish and shellfish. The body responds to an allergen as if a toxin had entered the body. Allergic reactions can range from skin rashes or diarrhea and to worse-case scenarios like anaphylaxis, which can lead to death. It is important to recognize your child's allergies and create a diet plan suitable for their needs.
Dairy
Dairy is a seemingly easy allergen to avoid. However, it can lurk in deli meat slicers that also slice cheese and as casein in prepared food products. Casein is a milk derivative that should be avoided. Fortunately, in the last decade new non-dairy foods have been produced and are now available at most grocery stores, Soy cheese, almond milk and coconut ice cream are alternatives to dairy.
Kids love pizza, and it wold be a shame for them to miss out on a favorite treat. Make your own by using wheat pizza dough and soy cheese. Soy cheese has a tendency to cook fast, so add the cheese to the last 10 minutes of baking your pizza.
Thai food is a good cuisine for dining out. Many of the dishes are made from non-dairy coconut milk. Be sure to ask the restaurant about their ingredients.
If you want to make macaroni and cheese, use soy cheese, margarine and soy milk for your ingredients.
Gluten
Gluten is a tricky allergen to get away from. You can find gluten in breads, pastas, gravies, deli meat, self basting turkeys, soy sauce, white pepper, salad dressing, hot chocolate and soups, to name a few. It is vital to read the ingredient list provided by prepared foods.
Also, be careful dining out. Many restaurants may think their food contains no gluten, yet this ingredient is prevalent in much of what they use. You can find gluten free products in muffin mixes, pancakes, pastas, breads and crackers. If you can't find a gluten free pasta, try making your meal with spaghetti squash. The strands of squash have a similar texture to pasta. Mix up the squash with olive oil, tomatoes, and garlic for a great entree.
You can also make pumpkin muffins by mixing 2 cups of rice flour, 1 tsp. xanthan, 1/2 tsp. salt, 1 tsp. baking soda, 1 cup of dark brown sugar, 1 can of pumpkin pie mix, 2 tbsp. buttermilk, 2 eggs, 1/3 cup of vegetable oil and 1/3 cup water. Bake mixture at 350 F. for twenty minutes until golden brown.
Fish and Shellfish
According to the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network, if your child has a fish or shellfish allergy it is best to avoid all foods containing either protein. Refrain from serving them Caesar salad dressings and marinara sauce made with anchovy paste. Some individuals experience allergy symptoms even when they walk through fish markets and grocery stores. Never prepare fish in the same house as with someone who suffers from a fish or shellfish allergy.
Fish sticks are a big part of growing up. You can make an alternative by cutting up tofu to a fish stick size. Roll tofu in an egg wash and over Panko bread crumbs. Either fry or bake and serve with cocktail sauce.
Gumbos are a hearty meal; however, many of them contain seafood and fish. Make your own my using vegetables like onions, garlic, okra and tomatoes. Substitute sausage or chicken for the fish. Serve over rice for a filling meal.
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