First of all I want to discuss the difference between an allergy and intolerance. Asthma and allergy specialist Dr. James T C Li says that a true food allergy causes an immune system reaction that affects numerous organs in the body. In contrast, food intolerance symptoms are generally less serious and are limited to digestive problems. Food intolerance symptoms generally come on gradually and don't involve an immune system reaction.
Allergies are influenced by heredity and there is no cure. Basically you should avoid the foods you are allergic too. Children can grow out of allergies but they can also get worse. However, if you have food intolerances, you may be able to eat small amounts of the offending food without trouble. Rotation diets can help alleviate food intolerance symptoms as well as prevent the development of allergies to new foods. Any food, if eaten repetitively, can cause food allergies
What is a Rotation Diet?
A rotation diet allows troublesome foods to be eaten in a rotating schedule so that there is a three to seven day gap in between days the food is eaten. Eating them on a rotated basis reduces your exposure to them and hopefully will help preserve your tolerance for them.
We can even help our unborn child by starting a rotation diet while you are pregnant. La Leche Leauge International states that the earlier and more often a food is ingested, the greater likelihood it has of becoming an allergen. Babies tend to be most allergic to the foods they have been offered first. While a baby is exclusively breastfed, he is only exposed to the foods his mother eats and secretes in her milk, so his exposure to potential allergens is minimized.
The sample diet I am providing is one I created for my 2 year old, this doesn't include the milk she drinks, sauces, condiments etc, it is just an idea of how to rotate and some options that are out there.
Also, although my main focus is grains, you should rotate fruits, vegetables, dairy products, oils, protein sources and grains or starches. It can be overwhelming at first so maybe just focus on one at a time. Most people rotate veggies, fruits dairy and protein sources in their diet without paying attention. Grains are the tricky one because most people think if they are eating whole grains or whole wheat that they are doing great. There are so many wonderful grains out there, so broaden your horizons and try some barley, rye, spelt, durum, amaranth or one of the many other grains available.
SAMPE DIET
(This is the diet I created for my 2 year old. An adult can use it as well with more variety added.)Monday
Quinoa Cereal with added frozen berries for breakfast (like cream of wheat or oatmeal and you can get it at Loblaw’s/Dominion health food section)
Veggies and protein source for lunch
Quinoa (Rice substitute) with veggies and/or protein source for supper
*Protein source can be a dairy on one day. Also protein can be eaten either for lunch or supper or both on all days.
Tuesday
Rice bread toasted with peaches for breakfast
Veggies and/or protein source for lunch
Rice pasta or brown rice with veggies and/or protein source for supper
*There are various rice bars, chips and crackers for snacks
Wednesday
Oat bran cereal (Like cream of wheat or oatmeal) with fruit for breakfast
*Some children do not like these types of cereals but there are gluten free egos at most grocery stores that are made with rice
Kumut pasta with veggies and/or protein source for lunch
Veggies and meat and/or protein source for supper
*Oatmeal protein bars for snack (See recipe below)
Thursday
Buckwheat pancakes (Can get the pancake mix at Loblaw’s/Dominion health food section) for breakfast
Whole grain pita bread sandwich for lunch
Whole wheat pasta with veggies and/or protein source
*Whole wheat cereal bars for snack
Snacks
There are tons of healthy snacks available to help with rotation diet. Some examples are veggie sticks, cheese sticks, dried apricots cut into pieces, raisins, yogurt tubes (better in the freezer), whole wheat cereal bars, gluten free cereal bars made with chick pea flour and even homemade cereal bars.
Here is a LINK to some recipes for home made egg free, no bake cereal bars
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