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Post by heatherp on Dec 20, 2014 9:35:23 GMT -5
As we work to expand our LOs diet slowly, I am wondering about foods that are ok in limited quantities. I'm hoping you will all help me out here since he is only 19months and experimenting is tough since he can't talk to me about what he feels. Here's what I mean....he is eating one egg per day currently. He seems fine, but I get the sense that some of you limit eggs a bit more than that? Or Hebrew National Hot Dogs....we've tried 1/2 hot dog and it was fine....do you limit those, or can you eat them freely? Any other foods that you limit (other than any sort of greens, etc...we haven't even gone there yet...pretty much white rice and meats, noodles, lactose free cheeses)? This is the part that is awfully confusing to my non-HFI self as I try to successfully feed my HFI kiddo. Thanks for the help!
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Post by Tammy on Dec 20, 2014 11:50:58 GMT -5
The only real thing that Regina has to limit is in the green family. Other than those, She can usually either have all she wants or not have it at all. She does fine with eggs. But like you know, everyone is a little different in what they can handle. If he is fine, then I would stay with letting him have the egg. I'm sure by now you would probably know if he felt ill.
As for the Hebrew National Hot dogs (Or I can get Kuntzlers - which are fine, or any other brand that the label reads ok) there is no limit on them at all. Starting with half of one for the first time is the best way. And since he did fine, I'd try more.
At this point, I'd just go by the labels. If the ingredients read like they are fine, I'd try it. Of course only 1 thing at a time as you don't want to confuse the issue if he doesn't do well on something.
And if you have any concerns on an ingredient that you aren't sure of, be sure to ask away!
And the most important part - don't beat yourself up if something gets by you. It's sure to happen at some point and even though you don't want your little guy to feel bad, it's going to happen. It's really not a bad thing as then you'll know what signs to watch for as he gets older and tries things on his own. You need to know just how he will react so you can tell.
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Post by charlie on Dec 20, 2014 12:19:53 GMT -5
Hi heather, it is confusing, frustrating, sometimes downright depressing..... one of the biggest problems as a parent without food issues is getting your head around providing such a limited variety of foods, especially if like me you like creating.
But one step at a time. Is he growing, is he happy and looking healthy, that is your benchmark. If he is developing well then don't worry about variety, he is too young to start demanding change as he won't know any different. so you have to over-ride your head and heart and stick to what is safe. Think of it like feeding a pet, you find a food that suits your dog, and you stick to it, otherwise you risk them having an upset tummy, you don't plan gourmet foods for them, you just feed plain, simple and nutritious. Feeding a human should be no different, its just nowadays everyone thinks food has to be so tasty, bright and varied. yes, it is nice to have variety but not essential.
So, stick to what is safe, as Tammy says, start small and build up to see what he can tolerate. I think the hebrew hot dogs alot can tolerate. Eggs are varied responses and that may be because of other issues, we have had various discusssions about fructose in eggs, with varied opinions but I think it is low enough to not cause a problem, and they are so nutritious and useful.
I can't remember if your little chap is OK on wheat, if you think he is then add that in at this stage as that will open up pasta options, bread if sugar free, pastries you can make etc. Just take it a day at a time, always leave about 4 days between trying a new food at his age, and in small amounts to start, building up gradually. It is very slow, very tedious but in the end the results will be quicker.
Have you tried avocado, that is quite filling, brilliant finger food and low fructose. He may not be able to speak but you will be able to tell if he is reacting, well once you have worked out if it is a reaction or a bug going round. If it went on for several daysand Meg got erratic and difficult I used to know it was a reaction.
He will feel like a science experiment.... but you will get there, just try and trust your instincts and don't feel bad and try and rush it, you are doing a great job and if he could he would thank you for it.
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Post by heatherp on Dec 21, 2014 23:29:16 GMT -5
Thanks for the help. We tried a whole hot dog and it seemed fine. I also devised a recipe for chicken nuggets that has that more processed meat texture which is a hit. We are fine these days on small amounts of wheat, as in a serving or two throughout the day, but any more than that seems to be a problem which I don't really understand, since the whole fructans issue seems to be a DFI thing, not an hfi thing. But I figure it's best to follow what works, so I limit wheat to one serving per day. Initially after diagnosis (and certainly prior) he tolerated no wheat so this is an improvement. I also am wondering about pickles, and since some of you seem to do well on pickles I then wonder about cucumbers? Also, has anyone found a safe lunch meat? Or would that be asking too much bc of processing? and lastly, if you find a safe chicken nugget how do you know there isn't a solution in the meat that might cause a problem? Thank you!
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Post by Tammy on Dec 22, 2014 9:19:32 GMT -5
Regina loves Dill pickles, and yes, if someone can have pickles, then cucumbers should also be fine for them. Regina eats those with no restrictions.
Hillshire Farms makes some lunchmeat ham that is fine. You just have to read the ingredients to see what it is cured with. I can sometimes also get Smithfield. There are some other brands around here that also work. Walmart sells one that works, as does our local grocery chain. Buddig Beef is a sliced beef. I've also seen chicken, turkey and even a bologna. You just have to check them all.
On chicken nuggets and any meat or other products, again, read the ingredient label. Yes mistakes can be made but for the most part - at least here in the states - the labels have to be accurate with what they contain. Sometimes "natural flavors" or "other flavors" can be risky so I usually take that into consideration.
Although I'm not a big fan of it, this is one area where our "sue-happy" country is helpful. It has made the big companies much more responsible with their labels. They are now more afraid of allergies than they ever were.
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Post by heatherp on Dec 22, 2014 17:38:34 GMT -5
Tammy, you've made me look forward to my next grocery shopping expedition! For some reason I just assumed ham was always sugar cured. And I figured the injected or retained solution wasn't necessary labelled in processed meats, so I was too scared to try anything since he has been doing so amazingly well and I feared I'd mess it all up. To the store I go! Thank you!
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