Have you ever felt powerless to change a situation? Overwhelmed? In over your head? Too much else to worry about without cracking open a brand new problem? Hell, yes!
What if it was about your kids, though? Would that make you act? Because we all want what’s best for our little people, don’t we. They’re our world. So if they’re sick or unhappy, we’d do anything to help them, right?
Some kids struggle more than others… they find it harder to sit still, concentrate, stay calm and in control of their emotions. That’s just how they are, right? Well, sort of. Sensitive personalities are the most likely to be sensitive to foods. These ‘personality traits’ come and go, meaning something has to be triggering their hyperactivity and their hostility.
I wondered what it could be. Why my one-year old would sometimes get a rash after he ate, and sometimes not. Why he had a bloated tummy and a constant chest infection. I spent years researching food intolerance, then I changed my career to become a nutritionist – to find a balance between managing intolerance and maintaining health. It took time and commitment to pinpoint my family’s intolerances, but it was so worth it to see my son happier and healthier. Worth it to understand the cause of his sickness and behaviour. Worth it to see his true personality shining through, without being affected by food.
I know what people say… kids just misbehave. They get overexcited and they muck up. And I agree! They do that too. But sometimes their reactions are much greater, angrier, sadder. As a parent, you know something’s not right. You know if your child can’t control themselves.
If you’re here, wondering whether your child’s symptoms might be a food intolerance, it’s really not as hard as it seems to get started. You just need to start. Pick one food you think might be a problem (usually the thing they crave the most), and cut it out. Just one, and stop buying it! If it’s not in the house, and there is plenty of other delicious, nutritious food on offer, then you won’t have too much of a fight on your hands. If you suspect wheat or gluten, replace it with gluten-free breads and pastas and check for wheat in ingredients lists. If it could be milk, there are so many options to try… rice, soy, almond, coconut or goat. Maybe you’ve noticed chocolate causes a reaction, so try making my carob bliss balls or delicious carob cake for treats. Whatever it is, there are always alternatives. See my top food swaps for any intolerance. And once you’ve started, it’s easy to keep going, because you can see the difference in your child.
Be organised. Spend some time planning your meals and snacks so there is always something available for the little ones to munch on. The brilliance of seeing your child happier and able to control their emotions will make the extra time in the kitchen seem 100% worth it. And if you’re out and about, your child won’t feel left out or deprived, if they have some tasty treats just for them.
If this sounds like your family, and you just don’t know where to start, sign up to my newsletter and I’ll send you my top 5 must knows for food intolerance – a quick start guide. Doesn’t it always feel so much better when you’ve made that first step?
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