Preparing Food for Allergy Children

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Certain foods can trigger allergies for children. It takes precautions in choosing and preparing food for allergic children. Of course for allergies do not recur and children disturbed health.

Food allergy is an abnormal reaction of the body that overreacts to certain substances contained in the food. Reactions or symptoms are usually caused nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, swelling of the lips and face, red skin, itching, and shortness of breath.

Types of foods that often cause allergies in children are milk, eggs, seafood (fish, shrimp, shellfish, and crab), wheat flour, nuts, and some fruits such as tomatoes or sour fruits. Here are some types of food allergy triggers in children.

Lactose Intolerance

Keep in mind that allergies are caused by proteins contained in food products. Meanwhile, lactose is a type of glucose so it can not be said immediately that your baby has a lactose allergy. However, there is a disorder in which the body is unable to digest lactose, called lactose intolerance. The symptoms experienced are usually bloating, wind, diarrhea (gastrointestinal discomfort).

But if the symptoms that arise in the form of red spots on the skin with itching and difficulty breathing, then the child is not lactose intolerance but the milk protein allergy. This means that the body can not recognize protein in cow's milk (or other food products), so the action of protein rejection is accompanied by the onset of the symptoms.

So, what needs to be emphasized is the difference between protein allergy and lactose intolerance because it is different cause. Then identify the symptoms, because it turns out different symptoms of allergy symptoms with symptoms of intolerance. That way we can prepare a meal that suits them.

Allergy Eggs

Eggs are also one of the foods that can trigger allergies. Therefore, infants under one year of age are not advised to give chicken eggs first. In addition to babies, children also often experience egg allergies, whereas eggs are a source of protein for children and easily digested.

An egg allergy can be prevented by cooking eggs thoroughly. Giving a half-cooked egg in any form (boiled or fried) should be avoided, especially at the age of the baby. If the child still has egg allergies even though the eggs are cooked properly, the source of the protein from the egg can be replaced to other protein sources, for example milk, beef, chicken, fish, tempeh, tofu, and beans.

Seafood Allergy

Seafood or seafood such as fish, shellfish, crabs, shrimp, and crabs can cause allergic reactions in children. This is because in fish or seafood products contain peptides that are considered as allergens. Seafood that is not fresh can also form histamine compounds. This compound is formed due to the growth of microbes that break down amino acid histidin in fish into histamine. Histamine is the compound that often causes allergy to seafood products.

Make sure you provide seafood products from fresh ingredients. In this way seafood allergy can be avoided. If the child has seafood allergy, other sources of protein such as beef, chicken, eggs, and milk can be an alternative substitute.

Allergy Nuts

Nuts such as peanuts, almonds, soybeans, pistachio nuts, and cashews can trigger allergies in children. Nutritional poisoning can cause nausea, vomiting, and even a reaction like poisoning. The result can be very serious even death.

Although harmful, nuts are a good source of protein and fat. There is no need for antipathy to these foods. Cook the beans perfectly and give them in small portions. Immediately stop if the child is allergic to beans. The content of substances that exist in the beans differ each type, so certain types of nuts can cause allergies, but not with other types of nuts. What needs to watch out for is the derivative products of nuts. If the child is allergic to peanuts, do not give children peanut butter or cookies given a mixture of peanuts.

Gluten allergy

In the flour there is a protein called gluten. Gluten is a sticky and elastic protein. Gluten is contained in some cereals, such as oats, rye, chaff, and wheat flour main ingredients.

If the child is gluten allergy. Certainly should be avoided from all foods containing gluten, such as bread, noodles, pasta, pastries, cakes, crackers, to pizza. Very troublesome indeed if the child has a gluten allergy because most of the food and cakes made from wheat flour. It takes parent creativity to find or make alternate menu alternatives. Such as making a cake of rice flour, cornstarch, or starch flour.

Mi, spaghetti, macaroni, and lasagna are foodstuffs made from wheat flour and is the child's favorite menu. Do not be discouraged, you can replace this material by making a dish from vermicelli, soun, or kwetiau made from rice flour and starch.

Tips Overcoming Food Allergies

1. Give a small portion in advance for the type of food that can trigger allergies. See his reaction, if not to cause food allergies can be given in larger portions.
2. Find alternate menu alternatives. As if children are allergic to milk, can be replaced with soy milk. Or if the child is allergic to fish, can be found other alternative sources of protein such as chicken or meat.
3. Beware of food derived products trigger allergies. As if the child is allergic to cow's milk, children should not be given ice cream, yogurt, or cheese because these derivative products can also trigger an allergy like cow milk.
4. Vary the children's menu with a variety of food items. By eating a variety of foods, the child will get a more complete intake of nutrients.
5. Avoid children eating packaged foods that are added dyes, preservatives, fragrances, and flavor enhancers. Food additives can also trigger allergies in children.

Serving food for allergic children does require extra knowledge and effort, but surely you always want the best for your little one, right? With careful preparation the child will still be able to fulfill his daily nutritional needs.