By Sharon Thompson Food allergies are common in kids and they vary in seriousness from mild reactions to life threatening ones. The most c...

A Guide To Preventing Food Allergies In Children

By Sharon Thompson


Food allergies are common in kids and they vary in seriousness from mild reactions to life threatening ones. The most common food allergens include eggs, milk, peanuts, tree nuts, crustacean shellfish, wheat and soy. Researchers have not yet figured out the precise etiology of allergies caused by foods and the reasons why cases of allergies are on the rise. However, research suggests that parents can take some steps to prevent them. The following is a guide to preventing food allergies in children.

One of the things you can do is to maintain a healthy maternal diet. The nutrition of a child starts before birth. The food that expectant women eat has a major effect on the long term and short term health of their babies. If you are expecting, you should consume a balanced diet that comprises of healthy foods such as whole grains, vegetables, fruits, lean meats and dairy products.

A study performed in Finland in the year 2011 concluded that if mothers who are prone to type 1 diabetes drink more milk from cows when they are expectant, the chances of their kids suffering from a milk allergy were reduced. In a study performed in 2012 in Denmark, if expectant mothers consumed high levels of peanuts and tree nuts, the chances of their kids suffering from nut allergies and asthma would be low. Taking prenatal vitamins and supplements is also essential for pregnant mothers because they help prevent birth defects and other health problems in infants.

Parents should also be careful when weaning their babies. They should try to avoid introducing solid foods until their infants are about four or six months old. It is also wise for them to introduce new foods one at a time like every 2 to 3 days so that they can note any reactions.

Another way to prevent allergies in kids is to prepare meals well. Note that plants contain natural toxins such as phytic acid to protect themselves against predators. When children eat foods that have not been prepared properly to denature the natural toxins, inflammation occurs in the body and reduces nutrient absorption. You can soak or sprout grains, nuts, legumes and seeds prior to cooking to ensure that your child gets the most from these foods.

Another way to prevent allergies is ensuring that inflammation is kept low. You should ensure that the foods your child eats contain anti inflammatory elements. It is wise to incorporate fermented foods and others that health the gut into his or her diet to improve digestion. Incorporating nutrient rich food into the diet is also wise because it strengthens the immune system.

It is also vital to include gut healing foods in the diet of your child early. There are various gut damaging contaminants in the modern times, including pollution, antibiotics, heavy metals and pesticides among others. These contaminants kill the beneficial bacteria in the gut and affect immune function. Gut healing foods like fermented foods and bone broth will repair the daily gut damage.

You can also prevent food allergies by ensuring that your child drinks clean water daily. Water acts as a detoxifier when it is filtered and chemical free. If kids drink unfiltered water, their bodies are forced to work harder to detoxify. Eliminating indoor pollution from your home is also essential.




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