Mom Watch: How to Find Your Child's Food Sensitivities

When moms have young children at home, it is often a concern for the mother wondering if her child has allergies to food. Many times, people don’t know their son or daughter has an allergic reaction to an item, and this can be a scary experience for both the parents and the kids. Learning how to identify whether a child has food allergies or sensitivities is a helpful way to assist moms in getting in taking proactive measures to keep their children safe and comfortable.

Learn to Shop with Food Sensitivities in Mind

Learning new ways to grocery shop is something that every parent must go through when they discover their child may have gluten sensitivities or other types of food allergies. It can be as easy as shopping for gluten free breakfast foods that include gluten free cereal, pancake flours that are gluten free, fruits, and fresh eggs. There are a lot of breakfast, lunch, and dinner items that children and adults may have even if they are gluten free or allergic to numerous food items. Using coconut oil or grapeseed oil is a healthier route as opposed to peanut or vegetable oil. Organic bacon and farm fresh eggs are also good ingredients to prepare BLT lettuce wraps or delicious omelets.

Learn How to Identify When a Child Has an Allergic Reaction

When a child has health related issues due to food, the body will respond as though the food is harmful to it. It releases different types of chemicals to try to protect itself from the food to which it is allergic. This can cause itching, redness, tingling, stomach pain, and red or watery eyes. Other typical food allergy reactions include a runny nose, coughing or respiratory problems, a swollen throat or an inflamed tongue. Identifying the early onset of these reactions is the best way to be proactive in protecting a child from further harm. If a response appears to be more than just tingling, a runny nose, or watery eyes, it is ideal to take the child to an emergency room or a pediatrician for a check-up and to schedule an allergy
test.

Keep a Watchful Eye out for Gluten-Related Symptoms

If a youth has a gluten food sensitivity, this can affect the child’s overall health and ability to focus and rest well. Potential symptoms to monitor for gluten issues include diarrhea, being lethargic, chronic headaches, vomiting, stomach pain, unusual gas, as well as problems gaining or losing weight. These issues can affect the development of youth, and if a parent suspects their kid has a gluten sensitivity, schedule a consultation with a primary care provider.

As always, obtaining more education about health-related issues regarding foods we eat is a great idea. Not only will this type of information help you to protect children who have problems with specific foods, but it can also pave the path to a healthier and cleaner lifestyle. When possible, try to purchase organic items, and keep in mind that many people may have sensitivities to ingredients like gluten and are not aware of it until they give it up. Numerous people who have gone gluten-free have reported feeling better, being rid of headaches and digestive issues, and being able to sleep better at night.

These significant health advantages are good incentive to begin examining closely how our bodies respond to different types of food and how they do without them.