Looking for Meal/snack Ideas for 14-Month Old with Allergies

Hi K.,

Both of my sons have sensitivities to gluten/wheat. My older son who’s 4½ is also sensitive to eggs, and my younger son who’s almost 2 is also sensitive to dairy.

When we found out about the food sensitivities for my older son about 2 years ago, we explained to him that he couldn’t specific foods anymore because his body was allergic to them. (He was a little older, which helped him understand too.) With gluten/wheat it affected his behavior, which was harder for him to understand, but with egg, it gave him eczema, which we explained as a rash, which he didn’t like. Our younger guy, who’s almost 2 still has a hard time with understanding it. We just try to avoid eating stuff in front of him that he can’t have, though it’s not always possible.

As for food alternatives, we shop a lot at the Redmond PCC (the Kirkland one is closer to us, but smaller). They carry all kinds of things from gluten/wheat free cereals, (which you can also buy Rice Krispies, or Corn/Rice Chex/Crispex, or Corn Flakes or similar at a regular store), breads, gluten-free fish sticks and chicken tenders (Ian’s brand), cookies, pastas (we like the Tinkyada/Pasta Joy brand), macaroni & cheese (Annie’s Gluten-Free) and pancake, brownie, cake and cookie mixes. They also have a general all-purpose rice flour that we use for other cooking and baking. There’s probably more things there that I’m not thinking of.

We also shop at our local vitamin store which has a small grocery section with a lot of gluten-free products. (It’s called “Fresh Vitamins” and it’s in the Upper Totem Lake Mall in Kirkland next to Trader Joe’s.) They carry a brand called Kinnikinick that has really good bread, buns, bagels, English muffins, etc. I think most of their products have egg in them now that I think about it though. They also carry a brand called Glutino and Nature’s Choice which make good fruit breakfast bars that my younger son loves. (PCC might carry them too, I don’t remember.) Both stores carry a brand called Ener-G that is wheat-free and often egg-free also) that makes pretzels (which my boys love), cookies, crackers, and they also make an egg replacer for baking or things like meatloaf. (I've made it without egg before and it was just fine.) Ener-G also makes pizza crusts, which we like as well. (I suggest only getting the bigger size [about 11”], not the smaller ones [about 6 – 7"]. They look the same, but they’re not. The smaller ones are almost rubbery when cooked.) I know I’ve seen wheat free bread crumbs too – I think at PCC. (Usually wheat-free stuff uses a rice based flour.)

Whole Foods probably has stuff too, but I’ve never shopped there before.

Other snack ideas that my boys enjoy are Veggie or Pirate Booty, cheeses & yogurts (for my older son), rice crackers, corn tortilla chips (or nachos, taco’s or taco salads for when your daughter gets a little older), and, of course fruits and veggies (baby carrots, apples & grapes are some favs). I’m sure I’ll think of more after I send this.

Also, for those nights when you just want to order a pizza, Garlic Jim’s has a gluten-free crust. My kids like it. If you have one in your area, you should call and check to see if they carry it.

That’s my brain spill for now. Please feel free to reply if you have any other questions I might be able to help you with.

Take care and good luck!

There are 2 magazines I recommend for ideas:
Clean Living - I think that is the name. It's for people who are trying to eat healthier, less processed sugar, etc.
Living Without - mostly a cooking magazine for people with allergies, has a list of substitutions in the back

Well, that's a lot of allergies for such a small person, poor dear!
If milk products are fine, my baby loves string cheese, quarter the strings lengthwise if you are concerned about choking. Also other harder cheeses (like cheddar) cut in slices.
We also love apples cut in thin slices, I put a little bit of lemon juice on the to keep them from turning brown when taking along.
You can use rice in meatloaf instead of breadcrumbs, I never use egg anyways, but I have heard of people using a soyflour/water mix or silken tofu to replace eggs in recipes (I have a lot of vegan friends).

Luckily most kids outgrow their food allergies at some point - I hope that happens for you!

My daughter is allergic to tree nuts and peanuts, which is a lot easier to deal with than the eggs and wheat. Have you heard of FAAN? That is the food allergy anaphalaxis network, I ask because they do have a website that has recipes. They also send out alerts on products that have undeclared allergans and their recalls. It also gives incredible information regarding how to handle schools, that's a while away, but you will need to be armed and ready when the time comes.

http://www.foodallergy.org/
http://www.foodallergysmart.org/
http://allergymoms.com/index.php

I put the links to a couple of websites that have helped me, there are a lot out there.

Good Luck!

Allergies are the pits, aren't they??? --- My oldest ( an adult) was discovered to be gluten-intolerant when she was 20 months ( 35 years ago) and that meant a dreadful search for solutions--- here are the things that work best:
You need to find sources for gluten-free bread ( or at least-wheat free) --- You can find 'em - at health food stores, Fred Meyer, and some of the bigger grocery stores.
Once you solve THAT mystery ( where to get wheat free breads, crackers and cookies-- you will solve your ''what to feed her''' problem. You can also look on-line for wheat free or gluten free cookie recipes --- ( I suggest gluten free as it is fairly easy to find - and if it's gluten free it is by definition--wheat free) There's even a Pizza chain that offers Gluten-free pizza- and my daughter says it's really good ( Romio's is the name) -- - now, more about snacks -- string cheese- cheese cubes - apples cut into small chunks - -- jicama cuts into nice tidy chunks and has a sweet, mild flavor ( it's a veg in the produce isle) -- corn- tortillas can be toasted and cut into small bites -- . When you are cooking --- try sometimes substituting rice for pasta - and then you could all eat the same food --- . When you are eating food she can't have ( and that will happen) try to have something appealing available so you can say ''' I can't give you this noodle- it would hurt your tummy- but I have this ( pudding, cookie - fruit - fruit leather - chip- ) that youlike ---

It is a hard one, dear heart but you CAN - I promise
( rice crispie treats are easy and cheap to make at home - with or without peanut butter or chocolate chips - and made a super treat for hard times for MY daughter)

Blessings,
Old Mom
aka- J.