Food Suggestions for a Fussy Eater Who Also Has Food Allergies

Updated on February 06, 2009
G.M. asks from Watertown, MA
11 answers

Hi all moms. I could use some advice.

I have a 14 month old DD who has turned into quite the fussy eater. On top of that she has food allergies, so I am running out of ideas on what to give her. I do feed her a lot of fruit, but it is making her poop like crazy!

She cannot have dairy (ugh - makes things hard), no carrots, no potatoes, no avocadoes, and no oatmeal.

I give her some small pieces of meat, still some jar baby food, crackers, mushrooms, goat's milk yogurt and fruit. She does NOT like eggs, sweet potatoes, pasta, peas, blueberries, goat cheese, or tofu. Sigh....

But tonight before bed she ended up crying for more milk because she was still hungry. She is more active than ever so she is hungrier than ever, and I would love some suggestions.

Thanks!

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.M.

answers from Boston on

Try rice cakes, tofu cheese (it doesn't melt, but it comes in packages like american cheese and she can eat it plain), and regular rice (it's a mess, but fun). She can also have homemade baked goods - try fruit breads and muffins to start. You could try different kinds of pancakes. You could also try meat tortolini if you could find it without cheese. Some kids just don't like the plainness of pasta. Finally, if soy is okay, my daughter always loved the morningstar farms breakfast sausage. Just try a little bit in the morning, though, because sometimes they make kids gassy. Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.K.

answers from Springfield on

Have you gone a nutritionist yet? They have great ideas and can help you come up with a variety of things that are safe to eat. My 21 month old cannot have dairy, soy or gluten so I know what a pain it can be. He loves Rice dream milk and products they make an ice cream. I shop at wholefoods for his a lot of his foods they are priced better than the special products they sell at the grocery store. My son likes a particular jarred baby soup and he has to have it every night for dinner. If she likes something let her eat it its quite normal for them to want the same thing over and over and over just keep offering different foods to her. I highly recomend the self help allergy cookbook its great and tells you how to substitute and what to use a substitute in the recipes.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.A.

answers from Boston on

I can relate with you. I have a son that has many food allergies, milk, fruit, vegies, tomato based foods. When he was a baby, he ate cut up hot dogs, fish sticks and chicken nuggets and bread. He is 16 now. He drinks Rice Dream milk and can eat sherbert. But they do make rice dream ice cream too. There are alot of things in the natural food isles that are good for him to eat, but it does cost more.
Good luck.
T.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.P.

answers from Boston on

Hi, I don't know if these foods fit into what your baby can eat but they've been successes with my 15 month old and don't contain carrot, potato, avocado or oats.

roasted turnips, rutabaga, parsnips
Baked butternut squash
Red lentil soup--very quick and easy and high in protein.
Split pea soup--my daughter isn't a fresh pea fan but loves split pea soup
sunbutter on bread
sardines (high in omega-3s and easy)
nova smoked salmon (not too much 'cause it's salty)
soup veggies--celery, parsnip, etc. simmered in broth for a while
whole wheat cous cous cooked in broth and a touch of olive oil (my daughter doesn't like plain pasta but this has been a hit)
brown rice
hummus on mini pitas

Best of luck!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.W.

answers from Providence on

The milk allergy is a pain for cooking! I can email you a cookbook that is dairy free, nut free and egg free. It has been a god send for me because I hate to cook in the first place, and then to have to deal with the allergies makes it a lot harder. My son ends up eating a lot of crackers and soy nut sandwiches, grilled cheese sand with tofu cheese and alternate butter. Keep trying, it will get better as she gets older!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.S.

answers from Boston on

I'm not sure if her allergies are a particular "family," but one high calorie food that my daughter loves is Sunbutter. It is sunflower seed spread (not a nut), and sold near the P.B. It's delicious, high cal, high healthy fat, and she eats it by the spoonful.

How about pasta? Some of the small shapes are great for finger foods, and you can go whole wheat for more nutrition.

Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.F.

answers from Boston on

It sounds like what your daughter eats is healthy, and you just would like her to eat a larger variety of foods. You're doing a great job trying to introduce her to new flavors, but if she doesn't want them, I'd keep on giving her the foods that she likes that are safe for her to eat. Children don't need the same variety of foods that adults do. They enjoy the comfort of the familiar. I'd keep attempting to introduce new foods but if she doesn't want them, just give her more (bigger quantities) of what she does like.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.B.

answers from Hartford on

G,
You have gotten a lot of wonderful responses. I am suprised that your little one can eat goat milk products, since the protiens are so similaur.
In any event, there are an amazing amounts of rice and soy products. our son is severely allergic to dairy, egg, peanuts, tree nuts. he has a hard time keeping weight on, and goes through days of not eating then days of eating. does she like rice??? at least it's a filling carb.
I have a great recipe for cupcakes w/ rice milk.. so good. I can send it to you.
I also have a bunch of dairy free cookbooks, we found them on amazon.
I remember thinking.. ok God what will he eat?? Don't worry!!! You will get through it!!! You guys will find new ways to make things. And she will slowly start to try new things.
My son does have an issue w/ the texture of foods, u may want to think of texture and see if it is the same with your little one. I find he has a "sense" of things that might harm him... Hard to explain.. but just something to think about..
take care & u can do this!!!
M.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.B.

answers from Boston on

hi,

help her with good probiotics and try raw milk and cheese

See the web site http://www.westonaprice.org/ and let me know!

M.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.H.

answers from Boston on

Hi G.
My friend's son was allergic to 60 foods as a young child and was also diagnosed with a learning disablility. SHe put him on a nutritional supplement and within 18 months-his allergies were all under control and his IEP was cancelled in school. He earned top grades after the 18 month re-evaluation. (so much for the learning disability-huh?)
I would love for you to hear her story. He is now 16 years old!
J. H

D.B.

answers from Boston on

Hi G.,

This is so tough, isn't it? It breaks my heart to hear so many stories about food allergies. Have you considered that possibly the reason she is fussy is that so many foods bother her or make her sick, so eating is just not a pleasurable experience? Since you say she is crying for more food or milk, it seems like her body knows that it is not fully nourished, and she is craving nutrients.

I have many friends who put their kids on a unique nutritional supplement which helped to clear up all their allergies (not just food, but also seasonal type allergies) and provide the nourishment they seek and need. My own son is no longer lactose intolerant because of it. And yes, it's so difficult when they have to avoid dairy - it's so great to see my own son eat pizza and lasagna and ice cream. He's not a big milk drinker because he never developed a taste for it while he was allergic, but he eats dairy in every other form. I'd love to talk to you more if you want to pursue getting rid of the allergy instead of trying only to avoid triggering it. Good luck!

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions

Related Searches