Food Alternatives for Children with Allergies
Now that I’m a mom with a baby who has allergies it’s my responsibility to find foods she can enjoy all while having a well-balanced diet. Two of her allergies are nuts and wheat. Knowing this, I had to get in the habit of checking food labels. I cannot stress the importance of getting in this habit as you introduce new foods to your little one. When I first starting paying attention to food labels I realize just how many foods have these items in it. Foods like breads, crackers, pasta, granola, and some chips which I may eat from time-to-time are completely off the table for my daughter to consume. There are even some sauces that contain wheat such as chick-fil-a sauce that she currently cannot have. Whatever you do, Check That Label Mommy!!
If you’re reading this because your little one has allergies then hopefully these alternatives will help you as you plan your child’s meals. All of the suggested alternatives are ones my daughter enjoys. It brings me great joy to bring variety to her diet. It’s also given me great peace to know my daughter won’t be left out in our family meals (as much as possible). Plus some of these alternatives are yummy. We enjoy them sometimes too.
If you aren’t sure if your little one has allergies check out my a previous blog post (Babies with Allergies) where I share our allergy discovery journey. There you will find tips on how to track possible allergies, our allergy testing experiences and more.
Oatmeal Pancakes (Allergic to wheat)
Since my regular pancake mix contains wheat I started making oatmeal pancakes for my daughter. I use old-fashioned oats which are a great source of fiber and antioxidants. I blend the oats until they are well grounded then mix in one ripe banana and an egg. I also add some cinnamon and vanilla for flavor. You can also add milk or apple sauce to switch up the texture. I cook them in a pan just like I would our pancakes. These are great alone, with honey or syrup and with some fruit on the side.
Smoothies (Allergic to nuts)
When I make smoothies, I typically use peanut butter to thicken it and add some yummy flavor however my daughter cannot eat peanuts. So instead of peanut butter I started using oatmeal. Be sure to grind the oats well so you have a nice and smooth texture. Sometimes I use sunflower seeds, flaxseeds or chia seeds in her smoothie either in addition to the oatmeal or to replace the oatmeal.
Red Lentil Pasta or Spaghetti Squash (Allergic to wheat)
Most pastas contain wheat including veggie pasta. When my daughter was about 17 months old I come across Red Lentil Pasta. This was a big win for me. She was now able to enjoy pasta dishes like spaghetti with us. Red lentil pasta is a good source of fiber, protein and low in carbs. Another alternative for pasta noodles is Spaghetti Squash. Though it’s a vegetable and its texture is completely different from regular noodles, Spaghetti Squash has several benefits. It’s low in carbs and high in fiber. It also promotes healthier skin carotene. If you can get your child to prefer spaghetti squash over noodles good for you.
Corn tortillas (Allergic to wheat)
We love mexican food in our house. I was so glad that my daughter can enjoy taco night with us. Hard shells are typically made out of corn flour. And if you prefer soft shells, corn tortillas are a great option also. These actually will give your child a more authentic experience.
88 acres (allergic to nuts, eggs and wheat)
Having healthy snack around the house that you can easily grab-n-go is ideal. However most granola bars contain nuts and some also contain eggs and wheat. If your child is allergic to any of these guess what there’s an answer. We found 88 acres on Amazon. They only contain seeds such as pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds and flaxseed. There are no nuts, no wheat and no eggs. Note, these are relatively high in calories.
Snacks (Allergic to wheat)
If you are trying to avoid always giving your child chips for a snack try pretzels, popcorn and veggie straws. Again, be sure to check the label, some pretzels contain wheat. You will find snacks like goldfish, crackers and cheez-its all contain wheat.
Apple Butter (Allergic to nuts)
I’ve replaced peanut butter with apple butter when I first learned what my daughter was allergic to. Apple butter can blend well in smoothies or you can eat it with cheese.
Note, if your little one has a wheat allergy please be sure to still check the ingredients even if the label says gluten free. Gluten free does not mean wheat free!
