The Connections Bridgewater Somerville Edition November 2020

HEALTH & WELLNESS PAGE 34 theconnectionsnj.com www.drjimchiro.com Limited Hours - Call for Appointment We've got your back during COVID-19 m A food allergy diagnosis is not only frightening due to the potentially life-threatening allergic re- action, but can also be emotionally overwhelming. Food is more than just a way to nourish your body. It can be a way to connect, to show love, to represent culture, and most importantly, to enjoy! Therefore once you discover your child has a food allergy, there are many questions that come to mind. • What should I feed my child? • Which foods may cause an allergic reaction and which foods are safe? • What can I feed my child that will still ensure they are receiving a well-balanced and nutri- ent-dense diet? • How can the relationship with food still be enjoy- able and fun despite this diagnosis? Why is a dietitian helpful in navigating a food al- l ergy diagnosis? A food allergy diagnosis will have a signi cant in- uence on daily food choices. The nutrients in many f oods contribute to proper growth and development, as well as overall body performance. Therefore when removing even one food or food group from a diet, you are also removing certain nutrients resulting in the potential for your child’s nutritional status to be at risk. • A food allergy dietitian will review your child’s typical dietary intake to rst assess their current eating patterns. • Ask if any symptoms have previously occurred when consuming allergy-inducing or allergy-suspected foods to better assist your family when suggesting food and meal alternatives. • Discern which nutrients are being removed when avoid- ing certain food groups, and how to appropriately replace these nutrients with safe food alternatives to provide a well-balanced diet. What are some tips for coping with a food allergy diagnosis? • Product label reading becomes an essential task when diagnosed with a food allergy. Allergens can show up in unexpected places such as sauces, mar- inades, marshmallows, cereal, and even beauty and cosmetic products, so becoming a bit of a detective is necessary. Label reading should become routine every time you pick up a product, even if it is a fa- miliar, safe one. Some manufacturers change product ingredients, which may now contain an allergen un- beknownst to you.Therefore, continued diligence in reviewing labels cannot be stressed enough. • With a food allergy, it is easy to focus on the many foods your child is unable to consume. In- stead, try to focus on all of the delicious foods that your child CAN eat. Create a list for your home of each meal (breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks). Within each meal “category” list all of the yummy foods that can still be consumed to place emphasis on abundance rather than lack. • You can also create a game out of “taste-test- ing” allergen-free products to see which ones you like best! Try blindfolding family members and have them taste- test various allergen- free products to vote on your family’s favorites. This will create normalcy in the home around these new foods and fo- cus more on introducing options, rather than removing! • Lastly, cross-contact is some- thing that is always a concern for someone with a food allergy. Be cognizant of the fact that allergens can exist not only in non- allergy friendly food sources, but also on surfaces where allergens have been prepared or placed. Carrying safe alternatives for your child when out of the home is a great idea. Get creative! Allergy cards are always a great way to commu- nicate your child’s speci c allergies. Allergy cards are small cards that clearly state the allergies that your child has, as well the ingredients that may trigger an allergic reaction. These cards can allow chefs to have all the necessary information needed to prepare a substitute meal or dish safely for your child, and help alleviate stress for you. Take this time to have your child create their very own allergy card! You can encourage them to write their own card and/or decorate it with stickers, crayons, or bedazzle it! Erica Fand,MS,RD,CDN, is the founder of Jeweled Nutrition , a concierge nutrition private practice assisting families with food allergies and intolerances. A food allergy diagnosis will have a signi cant in uence on daily food choices. The nutrients in many foods contribute to proper growth and development, as well as overall body performance. Therefore when removing even one food or food group from a diet, you are also removing certain nutrients resulting in the potential for your child’s nutritional status to be at risk Allergy cards are small cards that clearly state the allergies that your child has, as well the ingredients that may trigger an allergic reaction. These cards can allow chefs to have all the necessary information needed to prepare a substitute meal or dish safely for your child, and help alleviate stress for you FOOD ALLERGIES: HOW TO KEEP YOUR KIDS HEALTHY & HAPPY By: Erica Fand, MS,RD,CDN