Food Allergies and Intolerances and Elimination Diet For Kids

Navigating allergies, intolerances, and dietary restrictions for children can be more challenging than it seems at first glance.

While severe allergic reactions to certain foods are usually immediately noticeable, milder food intolerances can pose a more significant challenge in identification. Unlike allergies, which typically involve a reaction to specific proteins, intolerances may manifest as subtler digestive issues, making them harder to recognise.

When food intolerance is suspected, seeking help from your GP or dietitian is crucial. They can help with the proper nutritional strategies if your child needs to eliminate or reduce certain foods.

What are Food Allergy and Intolerances?

A food allergy triggers a severe immune response to a particular protein, often resulting in immediate and potentially life-threatening reactions. Food intolerances mainly show themselves as digestive disturbances and are usually triggered by substances other than proteins present in the food.

Elimination Diet

Elimination diets help diagnose and manage food allergies or intolerances. They involve excluding a particular group of foods to see whether the child’s health and symptoms improve. If your child has a wide variety of foods and you’re uncertain what might be causing their allergy or intolerance, it may take some time to figure out what exactly is causing them harm through an elimination diet. 

This type of diet has gained popularity among parents who attempt to independently identify their children's tolerances. However, such diets also have risks, especially for growing children. So, it’s good to consult your doctor to find the best solutions for your child. 

Nutrient deficiency risks

One of the main concerns during elimination diets is the risk of nutrient deficiencies. During the elimination, it is essential to substitute your child’s diet with appropriate vitamins or supplements and strategically chosen foods.

Different elimination diets require specific vitamins to replace lost nutrients. For example, a gluten-free diet (for celiac disease) requires alternative sources of fibre, iron, and B vitamins, whereas a dairy-free diet needs calcium and vitamin D supplementation.

Lactose-free diets entail alternative calcium sources and enzyme supplements, while diets for children with multiple food allergens demand comprehensive multivitamin support. Similarly, vegetarian or vegan diets require careful consideration of protein, iron, calcium, and B vitamin sources.

Ultimately, seeking medical advice to find the right diet strategies and ensure your child’s restrictions do not compromise their overall health and well-being is imperative.