Important Steps Towards 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 steps is maintaining a healthy maternal diet. A child starts feeding while in the womb. The food eaten by pregnant mothers has a significant effect on the short term and long term health of their kids. Expectant mothers should follow a balanced diet that consists of healthy foods like vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, dairy products and vegetables.

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.

As a parent, you should also take special care when introducing solid foods to an infant. If possible, delay the introduction of solid foods until your baby has attained the age of four to six months. It is also advisable to introduce new foods one at a time such as every two to three days so that you can observe any reactions.

Another allergy prevention measure is ensuring that meals are well prepared. Plants have a natural toxin called phytic acid, which protects them from predators. If foods are not well cooked, the natural toxins in them are not denatured. This causes inflammation and decreases nutrient absorption. In order to ensure that your kids benefit the most from plant foods like legumes, nuts and grains, you can soak and sprout them before cooking.

It is crucial to keep inflammation low. Parents should ensure that the meals of their kids have several inflammatory elements. They can add fermented foods into the diet to improve digestion. Incorporating nutrient dense foods into the diet is also important because it strengthens the immune system of kids.

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.

Another way of preventing food allergies is by making sure that children drink clean water every day. Chemical free and filtered water acts as a detoxifier. The bodies of kids who drink unfiltered water do extra work to detoxify themselves. It is also advisable for parents to prevent indoor pollution in their homes.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment