I Just Want To Feed My Kid

[StephanieL]

I just want to feed my kid and I can't. He's 3. He is picky. He can't have:

gluten

corn

soy

dairy

eggs

citrus

fish/shellfish

nuts/peanuts

bananas

He won't eat the (expensive) chicken nuggets I just wasted my time and money on. It's the only protein he really eats. I am just at a loss and so so sooo depressed.

[missy'smom]

I just want to feed my kid and I can't. He's 3. He is picky. He can't have:

gluten

corn

soy

dairy

eggs

citrus

fish/shellfish

nuts/peanuts

bananas

He won't eat the (expensive) chicken nuggets I just wasted my time and money on. It's the only protein he really eats. I am just at a loss and so so sooo depressed.

Well, between my kiddo and I we are free of all those things. What is it that he DOES like? What did he used to eat? The answers to those questions may help us to offer some alternatives.

In addition, I suggest that you actually list(for yourself) on paper or on the computer file, the things that he CAN have-raw ingredients-spices, meats, fruit, veg. and then take that list and say, What of these does he already like and eat? Start with those. Then look at it again and say what can I make with these things that he CAN have? Also, just because something is rejected once doesn't mean we should stop offering it. Keep things available, on the table at dinner time, eat them yourselves(the rest of the family) and in time your toddler may try and find new things that he will eat.

[GlutenFreeManna]

I just want to feed my kid and I can't. He's 3. He is picky. He can't have:

gluten

corn

soy

dairy

eggs

citrus

fish/shellfish

nuts/peanuts

bananas

He won't eat the (expensive) chicken nuggets I just wasted my time and money on. It's the only protein he really eats. I am just at a loss and so so sooo depressed.

Will he eat just plain cooked chicken?

Baked beans with BBQ sauce? (you may have to make your own sauce)

Have you tried homemade hummus--it's really easy to make and doesn't have a strong flavor, just leave out the tahini/sesame if he's also allergic to that.

What about mashed sweet potatoes with a little pure maple syrup added?

Sweet Peas or green beans?

I'm guessing most gluten free cereals are out because of the nut allergy, but browse the fruit and vegetable aisle and keep trying things. He might just surprise you with what he end up liking.

[GlutenFreeManna]

I also wanted to add about your son refusing the chicken nuggets. Even though they are safe he may be refusing them based on past experiences with gluten-coated chicken nuggets. My 3 year old neice is allergic to eggs and nuts. They figured out the nut allergy pretty fast, but before they knew about the eggs she would throw up after she ate eggs and refused to eat most things with eggs in them. She would actually tell them "that's yucky." Their Ped said small kids often know better than adults when a food is giving them (non-life threatening) allergic reactions and they will avoid that food or anything that reminds them of it. Just a little encouragement don't try too many foods that resemble the gluten-containing ones at first. After a while when he's feeling better he might try them, but don't be surprised if he rejects something that looks like what used to make him sick. Hope that makes sense.

[RiceGuy]

Have you ever tried sunflower butter? I'm not kidding when I say it tastes nearly identical to peanut butter. Had I not made it myself, I doubt I would have known the difference! It really is that close (I'm referring to the all natural peanut butter, where it's just peanuts and salt).

Like peanut butter, it is high in protein too. It is pretty easy to make, but feel free to ask if you like. It does help if you have a kitchen appliance which can make peanut butter, but I've managed without.

[missy'smom]

snacks-

grape juice(or other juice) gelatin/popsicles(use dollar store molds)

pear/apple crisp(use Earthbalance Soy-free version "butter" in the topping)(use gluten-free flour mix with sorghum flour, tapioca starch and potato starch-buy the starches from an asian market to save $)

plain fruit

rice crackers

icecream or sorbet-there are some very tasty ones made with coconut milk

This company makes things free of many allergens Open Original Shared Link

This is another one to check http://www.(Company Name Removed - They Spammed This Forum and are Banned)/Erewhon-Crispy-Berries-Gluten-10-Ounce/dp/B001E5E3C6/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=grocery&qid=1278015664&sr=1-2

Editing to add:

There are a number of things we can use to replace milk and eggs. For baking, flax meal can be used as an egg replacer-google directions. In mashed potatoes, chicken broth can be used in place of the milk and the soy-free Earthbalance in place of the "butter"

[scarlett77]

Try pinto or black beans and spanish rice...my boys practically live off of it. Make your own taco seasoning (you can google taco seasoning mix) and season the beans with it. I found a soy free soy sauce subsitute that may work well to use for some chicken fried rice (minus eggs of course).

Ingredients

8 fl.oz Molasses

3 fl.oz. Balsamic Vinegar

Sugar to taste

Instructions

1. Place all the ingredients in a mixing bowl and mix until well blended.

I wonder if you can try making your own chicken nuggets with honey and a gluten free puffed rice cereal and/or a gluten free flour? Might be worth some experimenting.

I'm sure you could google several good homemade french fry and potato chip recipes as well as sweet potatoes.

That's all that first comes to mind...

[Mizzo]

Well, between my kiddo and I we are free of all those things. What is it that he DOES like? What did he used to eat? The answers to those questions may help us to offer some alternatives.

In addition, I suggest that you actually list(for yourself) on paper or on the computer file, the things that he CAN have-raw ingredients-spices, meats, fruit, veg. and then take that list and say, What of these does he already like and eat? Start with those. Then look at it again and say what can I make with these things that he CAN have? Also, just because something is rejected once doesn't mean we should stop offering it. Keep things available, on the table at dinner time, eat them yourselves(the rest of the family) and in time your toddler may try and find new things that he will eat.

I fully encourage the list making idea. Even setting up columns like: protein - starch - veg - fruit - fat/oil

This will make putting together a meal easier. It may not look like a traditional one but meals just need to cover the food groups NOT look like your neighbors dinner table.

The reoffer of a dismissed food is really important .Our DR said 10x and LEAVE it on the plate, even if they are not eating it this way they get used to seeing it. Of course a 3 yr old might throw it on the floor but all you can do is try. I must of given my kiddo Green beans 7 or 8 times before she finally ate some, that's a big wins for us.

Also, Making a smiley face or flower etc.. with the food really really helps it look appealing.

if you want meal ideas, post your yes food list and people will send it their recipes. good luck

[kareng]

My boys are teens now but I remember. Found out they would eat green beans if they were still crunchy, either raw or I boil them briefly, drain, put a little olive oil & Italian seanoning. They actually say they like them. Mushy veggies are usually not liked. A little salt & olive makes a lot of stuff better. Put at least 1 thing they like on the plate with the new stuff and that is all we are eating until the next scheduled snack or meal. It may take a few times, but they get it & try stuff. Be understanding if they just never like stuff like brocolli that a lot of people don't like.

Good luck!

[missy'smom]

Pamela's bread mix is corn, dairy and soy-free.

apple sauce-cups, jar, homemade etc.

freeze dried fruit-Gerber sells some, various brands at Whole Foods and Costco

brown rice pasta-Tinkyada or Trader Joe's-my kiddo likes it with chopped ham, frozen green peas and "butter"

one thing about the corn-baking powder can contain it-my kiddo doesn't have a severe allergy so I let the baking powder stay and just avoid cornstarch etc., if the amount that's in baking powder is an issue, there are directions online for making your own baking powder

[Juliebove]

My daughter used to love canned green and wax beans. She would eat those every day at least once a day. Now at almost age 12 she no longer likes them. Perhaps got burned out on them. Now she would happily eat canned chicken mixed with rice, raw carrots, cucumbers, apple slices and black olives for every meal. I do try to expand her diet.

Tonight I am making faux pierogies. I use the Tinkyada large stuffed shells. I cook and cool them and then stuff them with mashed potatoes. Just plain cooked potatoes, drained and mashed. I mix in some Nucoa. It does have soybean oil. When she had her soy allergy, I would have used light olive oil with a few drops of artificial butter flavor. I also add in some chopped onions that have been cooked until soft and lightly browned.

Once the shells are filled, I smother them with sliced onion that have been cooked until soft and lightly browned. This dish (in a casserole) is then baked in the oven until heated through. I will serve it with bacon. I like mine crisp, she likes hers soft.

[Grace'smom]

I just want to feed my kid and I can't. He's 3. He is picky. He can't have:

gluten

corn

soy

dairy

eggs

citrus

fish/shellfish

nuts/peanuts

bananas

He won't eat the (expensive) chicken nuggets I just wasted my time and money on. It's the only protein he really eats. I am just at a loss and so so sooo depressed.

Hi Stephanie.

I feel for you: that is a long list. My child has celiac so its gluten free only for her, but so far the biggest help for us was meeting with a nutritionist. Where you have so many specific allergies, it would be worthwhile to find one who works with children and allergies (your local children's hospital GI dept. will have a good nutritionist) to help you create menus and options. Keep on with this board, too, the moms and dads here have been a lifesaver for me and for one another. People truly want to help out and will email you recipes and suggestions if you ask. I'll say a prayer for you that this gets easier. And eventually, it will. I have a good friend whose child has the same allergies as yours. Almost identical, in fact. If you want to send me your email I'll ask her if I can put the two of you in touch. Her name is Kristin. Take care, good luck and God bless. Emily

[StephanieL]

Thank you all so so much. I just feel like I am so deflated at this point. I know it could be worse. I know there are people with longer lists. I am just having an emotional day I think a BIG part of this is that I have tried to feed my kids an all organic diet since they started eating table food and that doesn't seem possible now with having to go gluten-free. It makes me really sad and angry!

I will totally make a list. I am sure there are so many things I CAN do for him, I am just at a loss. I am tired of thinking of nothing but how to feed him and it is really trying. He is awesome at trying new things! Loves broccoli and cauliflower. Sweet potatos and regular potatos. Loves strawberries, grapes, apples and pears. He is wiling to try pretty much anything.

We are seeing a nutritionist on Tuesday. She is a specialist with Celiacs so I hope it is worth it. I don't have a lot of trust in the medical community though so I don't have a lot of hope.

We do Sunbutter all the time. I just feel like he isn't getting as much protein as he should be. We do Ener-g egg sub, rice milk, coconut oil for baking and stuff.

The staples I am trying to re-do are:

Chicken nuggets. I have tried it several ways and he just doesn't like the texture of them. He will eat the "normal" ones just fine. The gluten-free ones I offer are a no go

Waffles/pancakes- I use Cherrybrook farms (?) now but at $7/box and he could go through a box in 3-4 days if I would let him.

Pasta-I have some gluten-free pasta but need a sauce

Pizza- This is a FAVORITE and he loves it! It is a special treat when he has it.

Oyster crackers

Graham crackers

Sorry this is all over the place. Like I said, I have had an emotional day and am tired

Thanks so much for the encouragement!

[seezee]

One of my daughter's friends has many food allergies. She always has a lunch box filled with plain cut fruit, plain boiled chicken shredded, rice, and some other things and wet ones to clean her hands.

We also found the nutritionist pretty helpful. Even with us just cutting gluten prepared and packaged foods are usually not so great.

[Beth03456]

My husband makes homemade chicken nuggets that look more like McDonald's ones. He buys ground chicken, forms it into a log and then freezes it. Then he slices off nuggets, coats with rice flour and bakes them. I realize its labor-intensive, but my kids eat them.

Also, I didn't see you mention if he would eat hamburger. My celiac disease son loves meatballs. We don't usually put egg in ours, although you could use the egg-replacer if they fall apart too much. We use rice flour in them. He also will eat plain old hamburgers dipped in ketchup. My kids like pasta with just plain canned Hunts tomato sauce - nothing added. I think my son would dip the hamburger in plain tomato sauce if he couldn't have ketchup, so you might want to try that.

Also, my son loves carrot sticks. He likes the baby carrots as well as large ones - he eats them plain. You could make dressing with oil and balsamic vinegar to dip if you think they would like that better.

My kids also liked plain canned green beans. They don't like fresh cooked ones nearly as much. They also love frozen peas and corn on the cob. And they go through lots of fruit. I make fruit salad sometimes with different stuff in it just for variety.

Good luck!

[missy'smom]

Sounds like you're just wearing yourself out. Take a step back and keep it simple. You've got plenty of time to figure out all the stuff on your list. Sounds like your kiddo has plenty variety. Sometimes we have higher expectations for meals and more of an emotional investment in them than our kids do I'm guilty of this. I'm a mom, it's my way of showing love. They're often satisfied with simple meals when it comes right down to it. People in other cultures and in other times eat/ate far less variety than we are bombarded with. I think we get caught up in that more than we realize.

[T.H.]

Hope the nutritionist will help! Also, a site I found when our family turned out to have multiple allergies was this: Open Original Shared Link

When you make a free account, you put in what allergens you have - the list is more than a page long - and when you search for recipes, it will avoid your allergens during the search, and tell you some ingredients that may be possible derivatives or cross-contamination hazards. It helped me a lot!

Re: the corn - how sensitive to corn is your son? If the nutritionist isn't very corn knowledgable, you will definitely want to go check out some corn allergy websites. A good test will be what she gives you as an iodine source. Usually, it's fish or iodized salt, neither of which your son can have (corn is used to stabilize iodine in the salt). And most supplements use corn, or corn derivatives. I use a liquid iodine supplement, myself, that is just iodine and water. Sea weed will work too, if your son can have that.

Corn is growing in usage, too, from bio-degradable styrofoam to cornstarch inbetween paper plates to ripening sprays on tomatoes (vine ripened tomatoes should be okay). For example, xanthan gum can be a corn hazard, and I think ener-g might have corn? I remember it has a couple ingredients that can be corn derived, but I don't recall if it popped up on corn allergy lists.

You were looking for protein, yes? For protein, quinoa and amaranth might be good choices to use to add a little bit. They are not actually grains and they are both full proteins on their own. You can find them as whole grain or as flours.

And let's see, staples you were looking for!

Chicken nuggets - Reading on what some other people have made, I have been wanting to try the following, but haven't yet. Buying plain rice crackers, crushing them, mixing them with potato, tapioca, or arrowroot starch, salt and pepper, and using that as a coating for homemade chicken nuggets. Just dip the nugget in water, roll it in the coating, and fry. Like I said, haven't tried it, but I've seen some people use crushed non-gluten crackers in this way, and wondered how rice crackers might work!

Waffles/pancakes- I would recommend the cookbook 'Gluten free without rice' - http://www.(Company Name Removed - They Spammed This Forum and are Banned)/Gluten-Free-Without-Rice-Cooking-Variety/dp/1887624155 It has very simple recipes to use as bases for waffles and pancakes. They are not always great, but you can substitute for the starches easily, and as a corn free, gluten free, dairy free, egg free family ourselves, we've found recipes we can use, as is.

Pasta- Amy's family marinara might work - I believe it's gluten and corn free. Wouldn't swear to that. Many corn free people I hear of on the web make their own sauces, in the end.

Pizza- We're still looking for this one ourselves! All the recipes and pre-made ones we see have eggs, dairy, or corn in them (xanthan gum), so we've been stumped so far.

Oyster crackers - I'd refer back up to that 'gluten free without rice' book again. They had cracker recipes along with the others. We've made the amaranth and the teff crackers, both turned out plain, but okay. Enough that we were thinking of spices we could add to make them better.

Graham crackers - this one, too, we haven't found anything for that's corn, egg, AND gluten free.

Oh, some products that might make life easier!

- coconut aminos - this is a soy sauce alternative that contains ONLY coconut, last I looked. It's similar in taste and behavior, but with a hint of sweet to it, I understand. We find ours at Whole Foods, but I imagine it's on the web, too.

- chia seeds/chia flour. We found this on the web. It gets very gelatinous and gooey when wet, which we've been experimenting with as an egg replacer

- Ancient Harvest Quinoa products - these guys sell a lot of the quinoa in the stores, but they also make quinoa polenta and other products as well. Some have corn, some don't, so you have to check it a little.

To be wary of:

With the recession in full swing, there have been increasing reports of companies using cheaper ingredients and not reporting them. One big one seems to be the liquid honey - some people are cutting it with corn syrup. I believe you can google this and get the names of some of the offenders. I don't believe this is a problem with raw honey, but I'm not entirely sure. Another one that would affect you is some olive oils that have turned out to be cheap soy oil with dyes added. I haven't been able to find the company names on this, but figured I'd mentioned it.

[Jestgar]

I just read through this thread and wanted to point out that you moms are frickin' awesome!

I have sort of an outsider's understanding that raising kids is hard, but the casualness with which you guys present amazing solutions to problems just blows me away.

anyway

we will now return to your regularly scheduled topic.

[missy'smom]

I just read through this thread and wanted to point out that you moms are frickin' awesome!

I have sort of an outsider's understanding that raising kids is hard, but the casualness with which you guys present amazing solutions to problems just blows me away.

Thank you! That means alot. We moms don't hear it/can't hear it often enough! We do sacrifice and invest alot in our kiddos and their well being! Perhaps very few understand what we here do. Well, I know many of you guys here get it!

[missy'smom]

We use the EnerG Light Tapioca loaf bread to bread our homemade chicken nuggets. Pulse in the food processor put in a ziplock and store in the freezer. I use them like fresh bread crumbs. I don't dry them. I prep(bread) and freeze the raw nuggets and deep fry straight from the freezer.

[StephanieL]

Thanks so much everyone! We are starting to muddle through this all. It is so draining in the beginning though. Like I said, I know it could be a lot worse! I also am hopeful (though not counting on it by any means!) that maybe if his gut can heal maybe some of the other allergies will go away!