Hi Moms,
Forgot to add: She also cannot have fish or nuts! Thanks!
I am getting ready to wean my dairy/egg allergic daughter and am trying to figure how to ensure she has a balanced and nutritious diet. Specifically, I am concerned about finding ways to add fat into her diet. Because she is allergic to dairy and eggs, she will not be able to drink whole milk, eat cheese, etc... like most 1 year old children. She currently eats soy yogurt and we will be weaning her directly to enriched soy milk (unless anyone else has a better suggestion) but all of the soy products are significantly lower in fat than their dairy counterparts. So much of the research lately shows that children 3 and under need fat in their diets for brain growth. I hate to short change her.... My son, while not allergic, is on the small side so I am familiar with a lot of the tricks such as putting olive oil (butter for him) on veggies, noodles, etc... and adding flax oil and avocado to smoothies. I guess I am looking for some more specific suggestions that will ensure she gets the daily requirement of fat versus me just trying to sneak it in here and there. Also, if anyone knows the name of a good pediatric dietitian or nutritionist in the area (Denver) that would be helpful!
You might try adding fish oil to her diet. Both the Carlson's brand and Nordic Naturals are great brands that are very low in PCB's, heavy metals, and products of oxidation. When my dd was that age, I would get a bottle and add a bit to applesauce. The applesauce covered the taste and texture, and she did not mind eating it at all.
It has the DHA that is so important for growing brains, and other good, Omega 3 fats.
Good luck!
My toddler loves to eat avocadoes plain - have you tried that? also almonds and other nuts (unsalted) make great snacks, when she's able to eat nuts. I'm not sure how much fat they have but I know the protein is great. Maybe check the fat in olives, another food kids love to eat?
rather than trying to figure out a diet for her - why not keep nursing? there's no reason not to nurse after a year. with both of mine, I quit pumping at a year (cause it was such a pain at work!) but didn't wean until 18 months. I had no issues with supply even though I was gone four days a week for 8-9 hours. With a highly allergic child, I'd nurse until at least then, if not until 2 or later. focus on fruits, veggies, and grains and let the breastmilk take care of balancing out her nutrition. one other trick - olive or canola oil on oatmeal - my daughter couldn't tell the difference in texture or taste w/canola oil and it helped bump her weight back onto the growth chart when she fell off it.
S.: i'm wondering if there is a specific reason you're using soy with your young one? Our naturopath (and quite a bit of the reading I've been doing) says that soy is very hard on the little tummy. there's lots of different "replacemenet" milks out there that have higher fat content (I believe almond milk specifically) I would check into giving yyour baby girl some of the other milks instead of soy.
Also, my son is dairy allergic too and we've started giving him a product from USANA that has all the omega oils in it. i mix it with different things and he never even notices. you could contact Nancy Barusch @ ###-###-#### and she can explain to you lots of great things to help with the fat intake and she has lots of great books that she recommends. good luck!
