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Food Intolerances and Allergies

In today’s society children face many of life’s obstacles very early, even while at the breast.  Some children react to breast milk.  This invariably is attributed to what the mother is eating.  There may be a lactose intolerance, cow’s or goat’s milk intolerance or a reaction to a certain type of food which their mother is eating and is passed through the breast milk to the child.  Some of these children may grow out of their reaction other may be found intolerant or allergic to these foods.  Food intolerances can also occur with bottle fed babies too such as a cow’s milk or soy intolerance.  Some allergies and food intolerances are only picked up when a child starts solids.   

Symptoms of an intolerance or allergy may begin in a baby with: vomiting, diarrhoea or loose smelly or mucusy stools, flatulence, irritable, excessive crying, black circles under the eyes, runny nose, wheezing, coughing, food refusal which may also indicate a reflux problem or it may appear as eczema, hives, itching, lethargic and in older children even aggressive or uncooperative behaviour.

For many years The National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia (NHMRC) followed the World Health Authorities recommendation of not starting solids before baby is 6 months.  Unfortunately, it may be possible that this recommendation to delay the introduction of solids have done more harm than good.

Today, many Australian health professionals have revised their recommendation and have  changing the age for starting solids to between four and six months.  This is primarily due to the dramatic increase of all types of allergies, especially food related allergies, in children.  Immunologists, doctors and dieticians specialising in allergies have suggested that delaying the introduction of solids may be interfering with the normal immune development reducing food tolerance and increasing allergies.  Thus delaying the introduction of foods may actually be to the child’s determent.   (see article: The Solids Controversy written by Karen Simmer PHD FRACP. Professor of Newborn Medicine, University of Western Australia).

Difference between Food Allergies and Intolerances

What is the difference between food allergies and intolerances?  An allergy will give an immediate response as it is the immune system reaction to food proteins.  An intolerance doesn’t involve the immune system but is triggered by food chemicals which irritates the nerve endings.  These chemicals are found in groups of foods which accumulate in the body and eventually cause a reaction.
 

Food Allergies

Food allergies are often inherited and are associated with eczema, asthma and hay fever.  Food allergies can range from mild to severe causing vomiting, cramps and diarrhoea, hives, swelling on the face, mouth, eyes.  The most sever is a life threatening anaphylaxis attack which cause breathing difficulties due to the throat and tongue swelling or asthma.  

Common children’s allergies are soy and cow’s milk, egg, sesame, wheat, seafood, peanut and other nuts.  Many children grow out of their food allergies by five but peanut and seafood may continue through adulthood.   Allergies but not intolerances can be diagnosed through a skin prick test.

Food Intolerances

Many foods have additives including colourings and preservatives but others have natural chemicals those low in chemicals are almost never a problem.   Natural chemicals in foods help to enhance their flavour.  Levels may either be high in unripe fruits and decrease with ripening or visa versa.  MSG for example is found naturally in tomato, mushroom, silver beet, prune, plum and grape.  Organically grown foods may have higher levels of natural preservatives and pesticides in their skin.  

Foods moderate in natural chemicals:
The following foods are moderate in natural chemicals:
Fruits:  pear, apple (golden, red delicious), mango, banana, papaya, rhubarb.
Vegetables: choko, potato, sweet potato, swede, leeks, celery, carrot, beetroot, marrow, pumpkin, parsnip, turnip, peas, snow peas, Chinese veg, asparagus.
Meats: chicken, eggs, fresh fish, veal, rabbit, lamb, beef.  
All dairy foods other than mild and tasty cheeses.  
Grains:  rice, arrowroot, barley, rolled oats, sago, wheat, rye, buckwheat.

Foods high in chemicals:
Fruits: avocado, date, kiwi fruit, orange, pineapple, grape, plum prune, sultana.
Vegetables: cauliflower, eggplant, broccoli, mushroom, silver beet, tomato, broad bean.
Meats, fish and dairy: Tuna, salami, sausages, seasoned meat and chicken, tasty cheese.  
Others:  honey, jams, fruit or chocolate flavoured drinks, stocks and sauces.

Food intolerances are rarely serious.  If you suspect your child has a food intolerance or allergy contact your family doctor of Paediatrician.

The good news is children often grow out of food intolerances and allergies.
The Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Allergy Unit, NSW has put out a recipe book called “Friendly Food’.  It is a guide to avoiding allergies, additives and problem chemicals in foods and can be purchased through the allergy clinic or your local book store.  

It is wise to consult a health professional or dietitian if there is a family history of food intolerance, allergies, eczema or asthma (particularly if you are a breastfeeding mother).  Restricting a child’s diet unless under professional supervision is not recommend as essential nutrition may be lost.  Most babies have grown out of their milk protein intolerances by 9 months and can once again tolerate cow, goat and soy based formulas.   While older children usually grow out of food allergies around 3 years of age.  

Not all children develop allergies or food intolerances but it is good to be aware and understanding towards those who have these challenges.  

This article was written by mothercraft nurse Sally Hall from Cradle 2 Kindy Parenting Solutions.  If you would like more information on this and other similar topics our E-books are packed full of practical parenting tips.  Down load an E-Book specifically related to your child's age group through Publications at Our Shop.

Disclaimer: Article on our website are for education purposes only.  Please consult with your doctor to make sure this information is right for your child.

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