Food Allergies in Children

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Food allergies, despite being a common global occurrence, can significantly diminish someone's quality of life and limit their food options. Those experiencing food allergies may find themselves unable to create nutritionally balanced meals, as the number of palatable and allergen-free food options at the supermarket can be scarce.

Unfortunately, over the past two decades, researchers have witnessed increases in food allergy-related hospital admissions in several developed countries, such as the United Kingdom, United States, and Australia (1). Additionally, as our world becomes increasingly Westernised, food allergy prevalence in developing countries also begins to climb, emphasising the importance of this now widespread public health issue (1). An even greater cause for concern is that food allergy prevalence is highest amongst young children, with effects that undoubtedly spill over into adolescence and adulthood (1).

Therefore, there is a major urgency to uncover solutions that prevent food allergies from developing in children across the globe.

What steps can parents take to reduce the likelihood of food allergies developing in their children?

As an allergy prevention tactic, findings from recent studies stress the importance of introducing solid, allergenic foods beginning at four months of age. According to the British Dietetic Association (BDA), foods that commonly provoke allergies in children should also be the foods introduced in early life, such as cow's milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, soy, fish, shellfish, and sesame (2). Moreover, research suggests this method is effective. For example, the EAT study demonstrates that introducing allergenic foods from three months can effectively reduce food allergies, given infants consume sufficient quantities (3). Furthermore, the LEAP study shows that children who were introduced to peanuts at four months had an 11.8% lower prevalence of peanut allergies at 60 months compared to infants who were never exposed to peanuts - signifying that consistent exposure to allergens in early life can be successful in prevention (4).

How should parents monitor for food allergies in their children?

 

Keep a watchful eye when introducing allergenic foods and look out for signs of an allergic reaction, such as coughing, itchiness, and swelling (5). If you are seriously concerned your child has an allergy, make sure you seek medical advice from a paediatrician. Health professionals can then discuss several conventional and alternative allergy testing methods suitable for your child. If you would like to read up on the different types of allergy testing, we recommend the BDA's Food Allergy and Food Intolerance Testing Fact Sheet, available on their website (6). 

What recipes are recommended to introduce these allergenic foods?

Whilst every child's tastes and preferences are different, here are some example meal ideas to get you started on introducing common food allergens.

- Oatmeal (prepared with cow's milk) with smooth peanut butter. You can also substitute peanut butter with other nut butters to ensure variety in exposure.

- Scrambled egg with pasteurised full-fat cheese.

- Bread with hummus.

- Poached fish or shellfish with mashed sweet potatoes.

- If you are a vegetarian or vegan household, you can introduce soy by blending silken tofu into smoothies or preparing extra-firm tofu with low-salt and low-sugar seasonings that your child tolerates. 

Alongside these staple meals, ensure that you provide your child with a variety of fruits and vegetables. It may take a lot of patience and several unsuccessful attempts, but encouraging a diverse plate will help your child get used to new foods, flavours, and textures (7).

How can you endorse a positive relationship with food when your child has allergies?

Promoting a positive relationship with food can be challenging, especially if your child has allergies preventing them from eating whole food groups. In cases like these, it is crucial to refrain from using negative language around food. Instead, communicate with your child about whether they enjoy their meals and what foods they prefer. This ensures that their diet, whilst being allergen-free, also keeps them content and happy. Additionally, present your child with a range of allergen-friendly foods to promote variety and autonomy. This way, they can make their own decisions about what foods they like and dislike (8).

If you feel discouraged and have trouble curating nutritionally balanced meals for your child, do not hesitate to seek professional help. Dietitians can provide nutrition advice and suggestions for well-balanced dietary intakes that are not only tasty and diverse, but also culturally-appropriate as you manoeuvre handling a food allergy in your household.

For further information on food allergies, check out the BDA’s allergy fact sheets.

For allergy support via social media, check out the FANS’s allergy support resources, linked below:

https://www.foodallergynottingham.co.uk/pdf/resources/social-media.pdf

 

Written by: Ayse Hincal

Ayse HincalComment