Food Intolerance versus Allergies - Part III

Continuing with our "Food Intolerance versus Allergies" report by Leanne Cooper, from Organic Bubs, here is the final section, part III:


What to do?

While many children grow out of food allergies around the age of 3, if a reaction does occur, remove the food from your baby’s meals for a while. You may consider reintroducing the offending food (in very small amounts) at a later point, with special guidance where the reaction was severe.

If you suspect your child has a food allergy or intolerance, the least invasive methods are elimination diets, kinesiology or hair testing. Other methods include blood tests or skin scratching. Consult your preferred health practitioner.

Initially it can be overwhelming for parents to discover a child is intolerant or allergic to certain foods, but children are often quick to adjust.

Tips for introducing a new allergy-free diet:

• Read ingredients on labels carefully and look for allergen statements.
• Take baby steps towards introducing alternatives.
• Mix old with new until you gradually wean your child.
• Have the entire family change over to the new food.
• Use old and familiar packages for the new food.

Logon to www.foodallergy.org for more information and appropriate guidance.

Food Intolerance versus Allergies - Part II

Continuing with our "Food Intolerance versus Allergies" report by Leanne Cooper, from Organic Bubs, here is part II:

Adverse Reactions:
Some physical signs & behaviors that may indicate an allergy or insensitivity to a particular food being ingested by your child are:

• Diarrhea or loose stools (it may be very smelly).
• Flatulence or gastric upset, colic.
• Vomiting.
• Hives, itching, runny nose.
• Wheezing, coughing, difficulty breathing.
• Blotchy skin, mouth sores, red rash around mouth.
• Black circles under the eyes.
• Moodiness, irritability, excessive crying, lethargy.
• Aggressiveness

anaphylactic shock occurs, that the infant should be taken to the emergency department of the nearest hospital.

Food Intolerance versus Allergies - Part I

Leanne Cooper, a nutritionist from Organic Bubs, released a useful guide for parents about food intolerance and allergies. Kids are very sensitive to new ingredients, and understanding the differences between intolerance and allergy may be very helpful.

Below is the first part of the report. Stay tuned for the second and third parts tomorrow and Wednesday!

Food Intolerance versus Allergies - Part I

"Often the term "allergy" & "intolerance" are used interchangeably. Be aware that self-diagnosing can be risky, as not all reactions to food are what they seem. In fact, "allergy" & "intolerance" are different.

A food allergy involves an immune response to a food protein or similar large molecule. A good example is cows' milk protein allergy or peanut allergy.

Definitions of food intolerance are a little less clear. Generally, it is easier to think of it as a non-immune response where the body is unable to deal with a food compound. One of the best known examples is lactose intolerance where a baby may not have sufficient lactose (a digestive enzyme) to digest milk sugars. Food intolerance is much more common than food allergies.

While kids' immune system is still developing reactions to some foods may occur even in infants who do not have a family history. Foods that commonly cause reactions include: gluten/wheat, dairy products, soy, eggs, fish & shell fish, tree nuts, citrus fruit and tomatoes.


If there is a history of food allergies, eczema or asthma in the family (particularly in a breastfeeding mother) it is recommended that a health professional be consulted. We don’t recommend restricting a child’s diet unless under professional supervision so that nutrients lost from the restricted food is gained elsewhere. Babies are growing at such a phenomenal rate that it is essential they get all the nutrition possible."