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mychildsallergy

Best Online Shops For Food Allergies

Whatever food allergies you are managing, it’s essential to have a list of go-to online shops for food allergies that are reliable and trustworthy, not only in terms of stocking certain free-from foods but delivery times that can be scheduled around our busy lives.

The perks of online shopping for food allergies mean avoiding the weekend crowds in supermarkets and piling your virtual trolley full of healthy, allergy-friendly foods, all the while sipping a coffee from the comfort of your sofa. What’s not to love?! I’ve scoured the Internet to share my favourite online shops for food allergies here in the UK

The Vegan Kind Supermarket

These guys are from my hometown of Glasgow so we are big fans. We are not living a fully vegan lifestyle but many of the products we buy for allergies are vegan. They have such an extensive selection of vegan and cruelty-free products on offer and if you order by 2 pm you can receive your order the next day!

If you have newly been diagnosed with food allergies or intolerance, I can relate to the absolute overwhelm of where to start. Why not try their vegan starter kit which includes some of our favourites such as Oatley, marigold yeast flakes, violife cheese and Follow your heart veganaise (seriously better than real mayo!). I would have loved this 9 years ago when we were just starting out. They also do a monthly subscription to a lifestyle box full of tasty treats from as little as £8. Also a lovely gift idea!

Shop The VeganKind Supermarket

Buy Wholefoods Online

The Buy Wholefoods Online website is comprehensive and so easy to navigate. One of the biggest perks of shopping here is free delivery if you spend over £30 (mainland UK). You will also find products for the home, personal care, and aromatherapy. Looking to fill tummies with healthy dishes that cater to allergies? Bonus points for their recipe section which includes delicious recipes that can be tailored to meal type, diet, cooking time.

Shop Wholefoods Online

Holland & Barrett

A high street favourite, Holland & Barrett, has been around for years and years, so it would be a sin not to include them in this list. They have a fabulous free-from section that encompasses all food allergies with yummy high-quality substitutes. You can also get your hands on a healthy haul of kid-friendly chewy supplements and vitamins.

Shop Holland & Barrett

Goodness Direct

With specific sections for babies and children, Goodness Direct stocks an abundance of allergy-friendly treats, ingredients, and snacks that are perfectly suited for wee ones, clad in bright and friendly packaging. You can also get your hands on raw, organic, and paleo foods here for a decent price. Some of the best everyday products include flavoured dairy-free milk and chocolate.

Shop Goodness Direct

Real Foods

Real Foods is an excellent choice for vegetarian families since they have a massive selection of fruits and vegetables and superfoods. As well as some mighty fine grub that spans the organic, free-range, vegan and gluten-free categories, they also stock GMO-free and organic bath and home products for babies, from milk formulas and supplements to nappy creams and hand wash.

Shop Real Foods

Suma Wholefoods

If you’re a fan of bulk buying your favourite items, you’re in luck! Suma Wholefoods have a diverse range of healthy, nutritious ready meals as well as chilled and frozen products that help save a few pennies. They also include mouth-watering recipes on their website such as their vegan Christmas cake. Highlights include their mueslis and breakfast cereals.

Shop Suma Wholefoods

Gluten Free Foods

Doing exactly what it says on the tin, Gluten Free Foods have a humungous selection of gluten-free nibbles and staple items, as well as wheat-free, barley-free, rye-free and oat-free options too. They do everything from ready meals and muffin mixes to catering packs, along with regular special offers.

Shop Gluten Free Foods

Lovemore Foods

Lovemore Foods have been around for more than 60 years and they are fast becoming a market leader in the gluten-free world. They stock everything you could want when it comes to gluten-free sweet treats. Pick from pies and cookies to jammy wheels and chocolate cakes for birthdays (all gluten and wheat-free). They also stock seasonal goodies like mince pies for Christmas. Check out their delicious recipe section, tiramisu and raspberry cheesecake are on my list, yum!

Shop Lovemore Foods

Good Club

Another great contender for bulk shopping, Good Club runs a bit differently. They are an online grocery store selling healthy, organic, and sustainable food and household items for up to 40% cheaper. You pay to join but the idea is that you will make back the membership fee in your savings. It is well worth it if you are buying certain items in bulk like us with Oatley. They also offer free delivery, yay!

Shop Good Club

Happy online shopping! Where is your favourite online shop for food allergies? comment below…

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http://www.mychildsallergy.com/best-sources-calcium-dairy-free-child/

Food & Nutrition

Calcium Sources For Your Dairy-Free Child

written by mychildsallergy

We have all been there, you’re in the supermarket and you’ve hit the cheese aisle, but before getting the chance to swerve your trolley into safer territory you’re met with a shriek from your child who’s eye has been caught by a rather attractive looking cheese string.

It seems like dairy is everywhere, taunting your family with bright purple packaging and convenient snack qualities. What are the best calcium sources for your dairy-free child? I wish I had known when I was weaning my son (9 years ago, gulp…) that it is possible to feed your children delicious food that is not only dairy-free and packed with calcium but is actually much healthier than your average supermarket cheese.

From muscle development and blood pressure to skin, bone, and tooth health, calcium is a vital nutrient for a healthy body and mind. In general, the requirements (UK) are:

Infants under 1 need 525 mg of calcium per day

1-3 years need 350 mg of calcium per day

Children 4-6 years need 450 mg of calcium per day

Children 7 to 10 years need 550 mg of calcium per day

Boys aged 11-18 need 1000mg / Girls 800mg

https://www.bda.uk.com/resource/calcium.html

Here are some of the best calcium sources for your dairy-free child

Vegetables

There are heaps of green veggies that are packed with calcium and don’t require elaborate ways of cooking for them to be tasty. Per 100g, these include:

Collard greens: 232mg

Spring onions: 72mg

Rocket: 160mg

Spinach: 136mg

Kale: 150mg

Broccoli: 47mg

Okra: 92mg

Bok Choy: 105mg

Watercress: 120mg

Other veggies high in calcium also include:

Parsnips: 37mg

Sweet potato: 38mg

Carrots: 33mg

Turnips: 33mg

Celery: 42mg

Blackstrap Molasses (1 tbsp): 40mg

But you may be thinking: how the heck do I get my kids to eat these veggies and actually like them?

I have found the best way is to incorporate them into meals your kids enjoy, like pizza or pasta. Try buying bases and making homemade pizzas as a family, using the usual tomato paste, but add small chopped up pieces of broccoli along with peppers, meat if you eat it, and dairy-free cheese. You could also rustle up a tasty soup which is a great option for lunches, dinners or even an after school/nursery snack. Check out these 5 healthy vegetable soup options.

Fruit

Since fruit is naturally sweet and juicy, most kids don’t have a problem eating it, especially when added to puddings or other treats. Here are the best calcium-rich fruits, per 100g:

Oranges and tangerines: 43mg

You can also buy fortified orange juices, including Tropicana with added calcium, perfect for breakfasts, and packed with a whopping 183mg of calcium per 150ml.

Kiwi: 34mg

Dates: 15mg

Dried figs: 241mg

Rhubarb: 348mg

Prunes: 75mg

You can eat these fruits just as they are, or sneak them into puddings like rhubarb crumble or dairy-free fig and honey ice cream. This dairy-free strawberry ice cream looks delicious too and would make the perfect healthy treat!

Nuts & Seeds

These bad boys can be eaten raw or in butters or puddings – yum! You also use tahini in a delicious hummus and serve with carrot sticks and celery sticks for an added calcium kick. Why not turn your hand to jam making with this simple berry chia jam by Lizzie Loves Healthy.

Almonds: 200mg

Sesame seeds (1 tbsp): 88mg

Tahini: 426mg

Chia seeds (1 tbsp): 80mg

Fish

Not all kids are keen on fish but if you have a wee one that’s a fan, salmon and tuna are excellent sources of calcium and ideal for dinner times or quick lunchtime sandwiches. Try packing a tuna sandwich with spring onions or water cress for extra calcium, or serving salmon with calcium-rich leafy greens. check out this great site for some brainy ideas to get the kids to eat more fish.

Salmon: depending on the type, ranges from 15mg to 283mg

Tuna (canned): 34mg

Beans & Pulses

Beans are a delicious, versatile food suited for both summer salads and winter stews or even just a classic beans on toast. Some great include this vegan kid-friendly chilli and this super calcium-rich creamy tofu parsley pesto. There are multiple varieties ranging from 22mg to 340mg per 100g. Here are some of them:

White beans: 240mg

Kidney beans: 143mg

Pinto beans: 113mg

Soybeans: 100mg

Tofu: 340mg

Soy milk: 250mg in 250ml

Grains & Cereals

Cereal is often a go-to option for most parents during hectic mornings and this cheap and easy option is also a winner for dairy-free children. Quinoa also makes for excellent carbohydrates and calcium and can complement most meals, such as these calcium-rich quinoa pizza bites or these beautiful rainbow buddha bowls.

Fortified cereals including Ready Brek, Cheerios, and Cornflakes have between 220 and 590mg of calcium per serving.

Quinoa: 100mg

Oats (per 100g): 100mg

I would love to hear your calcium-rich go-to foods and recipes. Feel free to share in the comments.

If you are looking for online shops where you can buy allergy-friendly foods at the moment check out online shops for food allergies.

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Travel

Allergy Friendly Cities For Families

written by mychildsallergy

Travelling as a family with food allergies can be tough, we are often faced with daunting scenarios when navigating new places and suitable eateries.

As a family we feel strongly that our children should have the chance to see the world and why should allergies get in the way of that! Whether you’re on the hunt for a weekend break or you’re keen to get away for a long holiday with the family, here are just some of the world’s allergy-friendly cities for families

Photo by Annie Spratt

Prague

With a standardised allergy/diet restriction food chart imperative for every restaurant, Prague is an ideal holiday break for allergy wary families since you can have peace of mind knowing exactly what is in your kid’s food, even in massive chains like McDonalds. As well as vegetarian and vegan diets, Prague caters well to coeliac and dairy-free families. Many menus allow you to choose your meat and carbs separately, which means if you’re avoiding wheat or gluten you can opt for potatoes or vegetables instead.

Some of the best allergy and child-friendly restaurants include MoMo Veg Café a perfect lunch spot with delicious vegan soups, gluten-free breakfast bagels, and yummy homemade gluten-free cookies and treats. It’s a relaxed and friendly environment so ideal for a breakfast or snack while sightseeing. Another favourite, if you’re looking for allergy-friendly sweets for kids, would be Puro Gelato. They offer gorgeous gluten-free cakes and vegan alternatives to ice cream, such as fruity sorbets. For a lively evening meal that welcomes the wee ones, Podolka finds itself on the edge of a river, serving up tasty veggie dishes like their quinoa burger, and includes fun kids play area.

Berlin

One of the first things you’ll notice about Berlin, aside from the giant currywurst and frothy beers, is the ease at which you can pick up vegan, gluten-free and often dairy-free snacks around the city, whether lodged in the subway or in one of their massive supermarkets – which is ideal for hungry kids on the go.

As well as huge free-from and substitute food sections in their stores, eating out is a delight since many districts such as Neukölln have become thriving vegan-friendly areas. Let It Be is well worth a visit, a small cafe with crépes, vegan burgers and other meat and dairy-free options. It also has an area full of vintage kid’s toys and a few comics and books for older children. Another hot spot for gluten-free and vegan dishes is Familiencafé Emma und Paul a designated kid’s cafe with delicious desserts like vegan apple strudel and a play area equipped with a pirates ship, a wooden train, cars, lego, dolls, and many other toys.

New York City

Home to many of the world’s biggest and best restaurants, New York is a haven for free-from, with flavor-packed gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian menus found across the city. Its rich culinary landscape means you’ll be spoilt for choice when googling places to eat. Out and about and stuck for an allergy-friendly munch? Look out for the Cinnamon Snail food trucks where they can rustle up vegan cinnamon buns and donuts among other treats. Another top-notch eatery located in most food halls is Two Tablespoons, a veggie pop-up featuring oatmeal with coconut oil and almond milk (perfect for kids breakfasts) and local and organic sandwiches and soups.

Aberdeen

Although this may seem an unlikely one, it’s wealthy demographic means an abundance of businesses that focus on vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free foods, with predominately trendy bistros and cafes offering the best grub. Food Story is a laid back, family orientated cafe with a wide selection of vegan and gluten-free brownies, cakes, falafel, burgers, and sandwiches. Christo’s Greek Taverna showcases fabulous and healthy Greek classics and is the number one spot for allergy-friendly families looking for a hearty evening meal.

Portland, Oregon

Arguably the best city outside of LA to find gluten-free gems, Portland is a progressive, friendly place and an allergy-friendly foodie fest! It hosts a plethora of farm-to-table, sustainable, organic, gluten-free, and vegan spots, so it’s not hard to find somewhere for a mean munch. Back to Eden bakery does gluten-free treats catering to kids and Harlow does fresh healthy and free from dishes with an extensive kids menu with dishes like Baby Chia vanilla pudding and dragon bowls.

Copenhagen

Experts at delicious open sandwiches, Copenhagen is a wonderland for nut-free and gluten-free families, bursting at the brim with organic rye bread, gluten-free bakeries, and high-quality meats. Foodie highlights for those with allergies include Whoopie, an ice cream parlour with gluten and dairy-free options. Souls, is an organic veggie and gluten-free cafe with acai bowls, mango lemonade, and stacked pancakes. There are also loads of other vegan eateries in the city.

Have you been on any great trips to allergy-friendly cities that you can recommend? comment below or email me at anna@mychildsallergy.com

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Allergy Lifestyle

Perceptions Of Allergies Annoying Comments

written by mychildsallergy

Ugh, we’ve all been there. Explaining the in’s and out’s of our allergies to strangers or even family members and being met with their perceptions of allergies and annoying comments like ‘one bite won’t hurt’ and ‘in my day there was so no such thing as food allergies’ as if our symptoms are just part of some elaborate lie to avoid eating our grandmother’s dry peanut butter sandwiches. I THINK NOT.

In this day and age, kids and parents with allergies are lucky to have greater access to free-from, organic and chemical-free products than older generations did, but despite advancements when it comes to food, there are a number perceptions that twist the true reality of living with allergies – here are a few annoying comments we have heard which are guaranteed to make your blood boil!

When a waiter has absolutely no idea what constitutes a peanut allergy and says, ‘I can offer you our gluten-free menu’ – *Shakes head*.

Yes. 😐This ACTUALLY happened. 😨What is the craziest response you've had when you ask about allergies❓

A post shared by Food Allergy Awareness (@nonuts4me) on Sep 4, 2017 at 3:44pm PDT

‘Omg if I was allergic to (egg/ peanuts/dairy/gluten etc) I literally could not cope!!’ – Good job you don’t have an allergy then, Susan.

via GIPHY

‘She must be making it up for attention’ – please remove me from the human race right now.

via GIPHY

‘No one can die from food allergies’ – um, yes they can. And that’s hardly something to joke about.

via GIPHY

‘You just need to get her used to (insert thing she’s allergic to) by giving her more of it’ – this does not work, people. Stop trying to give us medical advice, even if well-intentioned.

via GIPHY

‘This cake has nuts in it, but it’s ok you can just scrape them off the top!’ – that’s not really how it works, but thanks. I hope you have emergency services at the ready.

DON'T WORRY! ✋️ We have the perfect solution 🤗 Watch the trailer of our documentary being released TOMORROW! 😲🚨 Let us know what you think 📲👍

A post shared by Food Allergy Awareness (@nonuts4me) on Jul 25, 2017 at 6:17pm PDT

‘What do you even eat?!’ – Lots of things. Literally food, not all meals revolve around pies, ice cream and peanut butter cups.

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‘My cousin’s wife’s uncle twice removed used to be allergic to crabs but after he started drinking this syrup called ahjgjnlsbgjlbjlg he was cured – you should try it!’ – Thanks, but no thanks. It’s nice when people try to genuinely help, but you can’t lump all allergies into one category and expect me to be cured by guzzling your weird potions.

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‘Yeah I’m the same, (insert food you’re allergic to) gives me a stomach ache, but I eat it anyway’ – well that’s probably not smart. Also, a mild intolerance is very different to a severe life-threatening allergy.

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Have I missed any? Let us know the most infuriating comments you have come across?

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Allergy Lifestyle

Top Tips For An Allergy Friendly Halloween

written by mychildsallergy

It’s that time of year again, when our streets are swarmed with trick-or-treaters, and kids across the globe are reveling in freebies and homemade spider man costumes. And although Halloween can be an exciting time of year, for children and parents with allergies, it can also be a stressful one.

But fear not! There are heaps of ways to enjoy a tasty and fun Halloween despite these challenges, and all it takes is a little extra planning to keep your little ones happy and safe. From party games and homemade recipes to toys and activities, here are my top tips for an allergy friendly Halloween.

Throw A Party! Hosting an allergy-friendly party in your own home will not only give you peace of mind since you’ll know that all sweeties will be safe for your kids to eat, but it’ll provide a fabulous twist to Halloween that replaces wandering the streets on chilly nights with fun activities like apple bobbing, pumpkin carving and costume contests. Plus, it’ll distract your kids from thinking they’re ‘missing out’ by not trick-or-treating, all the while keeping them content with delicious homemade treats. Check out these recipes for dairy-free and gluten-free snacks, sweeties and drinks.

Pay Attention To Labels It may sound silly, but getting your hands on a magnifying glass to help read those teeny weeny ingredients lists on the back of sweets and chocolate will work a charm! After the kids have gone to bed, go through their treats to identify the ones that are safe to eat, and swap out the ones that aren’t with allergy friendly substitutes.

Keep Communication Open With Your Kids

If your wee ones have had allergies since they were very young, then they’ll be used to talking about expectations around food and how to handle certain situations. If you’re choosing to go out for a traditional trick-or-treat, have a chat with them beforehand about the best ways of accommodating their allergies, but in a way that lets them contribute to the plan, this way it will alleviate their anxiety and make them feel confident and in control of their safety.

Have A List Handy

Print out a list of gluten-free, nut-free and dairy-free sweets and chocolate so you know which ones are suitable for your kids to eat. These lists are also great if you’re not keen on rustling up your own Halloween treats and would prefer to bulk buy for the evening.

Participate In The Teal Pumpkin Project

Image credit: FARE.

A national campaign launched in 2012, the Teal Pumpkin Project was created by Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE) as an easy means of accommodating children with allergies on Halloween and promoting inclusivity. Participating houses will place a teal pumpkin at their doorstep to show that they’re stocking non-food treats for trick o’ treaters, so that kids with allergies can still enjoy the Halloween tradition – try handing out glow sticks or superhero toys. To find out more about the Teal Pumpkin Project click here.

Opt For Toy Treats Over Sweets

If you know you’ll be calling at the houses of friends or family, ask them to hand out toys instead of sweets, an option that’s just as cheap since you can buy party treats and toys from your local pound shop for pennies. Try hats, wands, dolls, anything glow-in-the-dark, Lego, play dough or temporary festive tattoos. Check out some more ideas here.

Create New Traditions

Instead of trick-or-treating, make your own family traditions that manage food allergies in a hassle-free way, but that will keep your kids entertained just as much as the usual Halloween happenings. When children are young, you could start by dressing them up and letting them give out sweets instead of going out to collect them, that way they’ll get used to safe treats and they’ll get to munch the leftovers afterwards – it’s a win-win. As well as throwing your own party, you could also bake allergy-friendly cupcakes and decorate them with spooky designs, play horror games, or read scary stories.

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Allergy Lifestyle

Team Pumpkin Project To The Rescue!

written by mychildsallergy

An influx of teal coloured pumpkins have adorned doorsteps in recent years around the western world – but what exactly do they mean? Happy Halloween! Team Pumpkin Project to the rescue.

These aqua hued festive phenomena are not just a by-product of your eccentric neighbours, but an indication that a home is participating in Halloween’s Teal Pumpkin Project.

Whether an elegant glow from a jack o’ lantern, a decorated cardboard cut out, or a good old fashioned painted pumpkin, these teal mysteries are part of a nationwide initiative by Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE) that aims to raise allergy awareness, promote inclusivity for all children and create a fun and safe environment for those kids whose food allergies can make trick o’ treating a sugar-clad minefield.

The campaign was started by Becky Basalone in 2012, the director of a local food and allergy group in Tennessee, who had the idea of painting pumpkins teal, the colour of food allergy awareness, to indicate that families were giving out non-food treats for Halloween trick o’ treaters.

FARE then took on the project in 2014, after which the initiative has expanded beyond Becky’s southern community to across the nation and even across borders and oceans, with Canada and the UK now involved in the campaign. You can check out just how many people are participating in this fever map, an interactive map that shows households supporting the project – and this year is expected to be the biggest yet.

For families who suffer from life-threatening allergies, this project is life-changing, since it eliminates the anxiety around Halloween sweets and their potential danger, replacing fear with safety and making the festive season safe and happy for all participants.

Keen to take part? My family sure will be! All you have to do is stock up on non-food treats and make sure to keep them separate from other sweets to avoid contamination. Next paint your pumpkin, stick it on your porch and tag your home in the fever map to let others know you’re taking part.

Check out FARE’s website for more info on getting involved – keep your kids from getting their treats tricked this Halloween, and keep your community safe!

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