My son's IgG results

[Guest Susanna]

I just received my son's IgG Pediatric Food Sensitivity results back. I was not surprised by most of it. He is sensitive to 14 different items. The ones which are going to cause me the most grief in removing from his diet are Cheese, eggs, cow's milk, orange (juice), wheat and yeast. Surprisingly(thankfully) he is not allergic to corn or nuts, or to sugar. Does this mean corn syrup is not (as much of) an issue for him? I've been trying to avoid it along with the artificial stuff...along with everything else I am now going to have to eliminate do I need to be as vigilant about that as well?

 

My son is not quite 7. We've talked about his "food allergy" test and I've already gone over the list of his "allergic" items with him. I've tried to stress what he can continue to have (i.e. chocolate and apple juice) as opposed to what he can't have (i.e scrambled eggs with cheese...one of his most favorite foods) We are going to start the food elimination on Monday. At the moment he seems agreeable (as he eats a bowl of ice cream ) but I know it's going to be a tough road, especially at school and when we're out or at other people's homes. He just started first grade at a new school and is enjoying the new experience of buying his lunch....it's going to be a fight to have him bring a packed lunch.

 

The information included with the test results provides some substitutions, but I'm looking for others for some of his favorite foods....either brands to search out or recipes. I do have access to a Trader Joes and Whole Foods. One of the things he's already asked about is ice cream. I should also mention he is allergic to soy as well....I know there are soy ice creams out there which he obviosuly can't have....is there anything else in the way of ice cream? Any recipes you can share for wheat/milk/yeast/egg/dairy free treats, pancakes, breakfast foods, snacks? Any tips or tricks you've learned as you've done this yourself with your child? Also, how quickly should I see results. The results I'm loking for these days is more behavior related rather than tic related.

 

Thanks for any help you can provide.

[Claire]

Hi Susanna,

 

Sorry for your little guy--remember my son has 20 food allergies--many of the same things, but to corn not soy, and to peanuts.

 

Can he have yogurt? When my son tested sensitive to milk, they said he could have yogurt on a rotated basis. Stoneyfield farms makes a great frozen yogurt with no corn syrup.

 

A number of parents say their kids react to corn syrup--even without corn allergies. I would eliminate it initially, then after a couple of months add it back and see if there is a reaction. My son and I are both allergic to corn syrup, but I admit, we still have catsup and BBQ sauce at restaurants on occasion (though Heinz organic doesn't have it).

 

I just got a cookbook. They all supposedly have wheat/gluten-free, milk-free, egg-free and even lots of yeast and corn-free recipes.

 

The AiA Gluten and Dairy Free $18.86 1 $18.86

 

 

Dark chocolate candy--no milk

 

Pancakes--I customized from another recipe. Pamela's Pancakes have a TERRIFIC mix (we can't have the corn though)

 

1 C brown rice flour

1/2 C tapioca flour

1/4 potato starch (or corn starch?)

½ t baking soda

2 T baking powder (aluminum free) This has corn in it. I make a corn-free one

2-3 T lt olive oil or Safflower oil or Canola oil

1/4 cup goat milk protein powder, depending on how much protein you want. I use Gotein (rice protein powder would work)

1/2 dropper Stevia (optional)

1+ C Water--to taste, depending on thickness desired

mix well and drop into pan and brown on both sides, etc...

 

 

I wrote a long note on this topic--to Bean I think. Can't find it though.

 

Claire

 

ps Fruit smoothie with goat/rice protein powders are great also.

[Guest Susanna]

Thanks for your suggestions Claire.

 

How did you determine that yogurt was OK with a milk sesitivity? Did you call the lab or was it your doctor's recommendation? If I could give him yogurt, both regular and frozen, that would really help.

[Chemar]

Susannah

 

I am no expert on food allergies, but from what I understand most dairy intolerance in caused by lactose intolerance. With yoghurt, the lactobacillus probiotic would diminish the reactivity in lactose intolerant people.

so yoghurt is usually ok..fresh or frozen PROVIDED IT DOESNT HAVE ARTICICIAL COLOR OR FLAVOR OR SWEETENER ETC ADDED

 

I would highly recommend the Stoneyfield farm brand of natural yoghurt as it is loaded with good probiotics and then you can add your own good stuff to it in the form of fruit, maple syrup, honey etc

 

 

also, re the corn syrup.......it is primarily the chemical HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP that is the problem, although some people with generalised corn sensitivuty should avoid all corn syrup.

 

all the best to you as you make these adjustments. I hope you see rapid and rewarding results

[Claire]

My doctor wasn't sure re yogurt, so I called the lab--they usually have a doctor you can consult with, and he told me.

 

My understanding is that it will depend in part on whether it is lactose intolerance, as Chemar mentioned, or casein sensitivity--the milk protein (look at your test, do they test for casein?). If not, the www.enterolab's test tests for casein is $99 and can be ordered without a doctor's signature.

 

As with corn syrup, I would take even yogurt out for a time--even just 2 weeks, and if the doctor at the lab says it is okay, then try it. The frozen yogurt --caramel flavor--tastes exactly like icecream to my son--and his friends.

 

Good luck. We phased things out and worked in substitutes before telling him (except wheat), so that we could comment that it was the same diet he had been having for a week anyway.

 

Pizza is going to be a tough one. Cheese is hard to replace. And the milk alternatives are okay for cooking, but we don't like them. However, your child is younger, and so maybe he can adjust more easily.

 

Claire

[Phyl]

There is an ice cream substitute made with rice for those who are allergic to dairy. I believe it's called Rice Dream, Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert and is made by Imagine Foods. I think it has a slight after taste, but it is not at all bad tasting. This company also makes a milk substitute called Rice Dream, Non-Dairy Beverage. It comes in antiseptic boxes, and is also pretty good tasting, in my opinion.

Good luck.

[Guest Susanna]

Just got back from Trader Joe's...this is going to be harder than I thought. My son was with me so he helped out with reading the labels.

 

My son has agreed to pack his lunch, but that means he wants a sandwich. I can't find any type of bread or wrap that is acceptable. I thought I had hit paydirt with some corn tortillas, but they contained lime juice, and of course he can't have lime. I did find one type of cracker that seems ok (Trader Joe's Original Savory Thins) so we'll work with those for now. I also tried to find some sort of protein bar he could use for a snack, and of course they all contain soy and/or whey. (if you are successful in your search Claire, please let me know) We did get the Rice Dream milk (in vanilla), as well as Almond Milk...hopefully he'll be able to tolerate one of those. Also bought some cocoa if we need to doctor them up in order for him to drink them. I'm off the Whole Foods later today to see what I can find there. I'll look out for the Rice Dream Frozen Dessert (thanks Phyl) and still in search of the Pamela's pancake mix (where do you get yours Claire?) I welcome any other ideas/suggestions anyone may have on what to pack for my son's lunch. I think we'll be ok with dinner sticking to meat, veggies, fruit and rice. He just won't eat most of those things if I send them for lunch.

 

 

The ELISA test did not test for casein sensitivity specifically. I plan on calling the lab on Monday to get further info. I'm also still awaiting the results from the Great Plains OAT.

[Guest Susanna]

One more thing Claire...how important is the potato starch to your recipe? Do you think I can omit it as my son has a white potato sensitivity.

[Claire]

If no potato starch, try corn starch. I read it is important to have a 1:8 ratio of starch to flour.

 

My son's Great Plains OAT test showed negative to casein and gluten, and the Enterolab's one showed positive, FYI. Dr. McCandless uses the GPlains OAT test, but indicates it gives false negatives.

 

Both our Whole Foods and Trader Joes carry a Pacific Bakery brand yeast-free Kamut bread. It tastes a bit to me like sour dough.

 

Whole Foods has Pamela's Pancakes and her awesome brownies.

Claire

[Claire]

I updated the pancake recipe after I just made some. I am trying to maximize the protein in it.

 

I really recommend a cookbook. I am learning tricks right now--gives you more flexibility.

 

We didn't like rice milk icecream before (I can't have milk either), but I will try it again after hearing Phyl liked it--maybe it's been long enough.

 

Claire

[Guest Susanna]

For those of you who have eliminated the sensitive foods, have you had any luck adding any of them back? If so, was the recommended 90 days enough to eliminate the sensitivity?

 

I did have some luck at Whole Foods. I found a yeast-free rice flour bread by EnerG and a spelt flour tortilla. Also found the Rice Dream ice cream (Cocoa Marble Fudge). My younger son (the one with TS) said it's ok at first...then decided he really didn't like it, but he ate it all up. My older son said he loves it just as much as regular ice cream. I took a small taste....I think I'll pass.

 

No luck on the Pamela mixes but I did find a biscuit and baking mix. Also picked up a Rice protein powder. Claire, I know you use the Gotein protein powder...did you try the rice one? If so, is there a reason why you selected one over the other? Also, I did find a wheat-gluten-soy-nut-dairy free snack bar. Not exactly a protein bar suitable as a lunch, but it is fortified and doesn't look to be too bad as a snack. It is made by Enjoy Life Foods.

 

I will definitely take your suggestion Claire and pick up a few cookbooks. If any of the ones you have are particularly good please let me know.

[Claire]

He just liked the Gotein powder--since it is a true milk, it is pretty creamy and no funny aftertaste.

 

The rice milk/icecream/butters had an aftertaste--so I never tried the rice protein powder. I just bought it now because I need more protein and heard those with casein issues shouldn't overdo the goat milk.

 

He and I both hated goat milk, and the goat milk cheese is too strong. Except I love feta in greek salads--not so much kid food though.

 

Claire

[Guest Susanna]

I'll have to give the Gotein a try if the brown rice protein powder isn't a hit. I know the only way he'll drink either is if I mix it into some sort of smoothie or shake.

 

Surprisingly, I bought some Chevre cheese and my son actually likes it ...I figured if he didn't like it it wouldn't go to waste as I love it in salads!

 

Thanks for all your help.

 

Susanna

[Andy]

Susanna, My boy has shown great reductions of negative behaviors to a point where he went from being unpredicatable with anger/aggression to being a 23 hr sweetheart, he's still a boy, once we chanced his diet over a year ago. The food that he tested for was not only a trigger for the tics but also caused a negative reaction in behavior, like a drug or alcohol would in an adult, for his body couldn't digested it properly. The new food bills are not cheap and we are a middle class home with only one parent currently working full- time. My wife is a superwomen as is working part time when she could with two youngesters and a third one coming. However, I must stress to anyone who is reading this and thinking about are elimination diets for real, in this case Yes, yes and Yes. I wish they could be covered as a tax deduction like medication for they do work and they are not cheap. As for foods, health food stores do carry some good altenative type foods like bread made from rice, bread made from millet, bread made from zucchini. There are also flours of different sources that could be used to make pancakes. Two brand names are Arrowhead Mills and Bob's Red Mill. Other alternative drinks is Pacific Almond with rice milk and Pacific Oat milk. I tasted one and it tastes like skin milk for me. They are also high in calcium and vitamin D for absortion. Forgive me if I am rambling but I do that sometimes. I was born and raised in NYC. Best wishes.

[Guest Susanna]

Andy

How long did it take to see results? Also, how long has it been? Have you added back in any of the foods your son tested sensitive to?

 

My husband actually questioned my sanity yesterday after I spent $200 on food replacement items for my son after receiving the teste results without speaking to the doctor first. I figured it can't hurt and only help. And I did remind him that he too has seen a correlation between my son's sniffling tic and certain foods he eats, so I would think there is some validity to foods and behavior as well.