Overwhelmed by the results we got back today...

[triscuitsmom]

We have been seeing an ND to see if we can get some help for both of our boys. DS1 (aka Toad, he will be 4 years old in August) has significant behavioral challenges that we are looking for answers for. He has many sensory issues, and is prone to meltdowns which sometimes turn into rages. I actually am going to start a whole separate thread for him because I think we are going to need more than food changes to help him, but that's a start. DS2 (aka Frog, he is 16.5 months) has a history of apnea, reflux, tongue tie, and a hugely crappy immune system with catching everything going and multiple incidences of pneumonia.

One of the things she suggested was testing for IGG reactions to foods. So we tested 96 foods and between the two boys I'm a little overwhelmed at figuring out what we can eat.

We are cutting out anything that scored moderate-extremely high, but not low or very low for now I think and then trialling foods. We havn't seen clear reactions to any specific food (except for Toad with gluten, which actually didn't show up as moderate or above on his tests) but I've suspected food issues for a long time for both of them and just havn't known where to start.

So here are the lists:

Toad
Dairy - Casein, all cheeses, cow's milk, goat's milk, yogurt, whey
Fish - none identified
Fruit - Cranberry, Pineapple
Meat - Egg white
Misc - Baker's yeast
Nuts and Grains - Corn, peanut, soy, spelt
Vegetables - none identified

Frog
Dairy - none identified
Fish - none identified
Fruit - none identified
Meat - none identified
Misc - Sugar cane
Nuts and Grains - Gliadin, peanut, spelt, wheat
Vegetables - none identified

So if I go back to gluten free (which we've been in the past for long periods because of DS1 having clear reactions to it), and eliminate dairy, eggs, corn and the rest for DS1, and sugar plus the rest for DS2 what do I feed them?

We've just started eating meat for the first time in their lives, and it's all local and grass fed and meat I can feel good about (as much as I can after being vegetarian for seven years). We also have been eating local as much as possible... but I can't get rice locally which is the only grain it seems that's safe for everyone, so that'll be a compromise. Fruits and vegetables I can get locally right now fairly easily. But it still seems like we'll be repeating everything and that leads to the kids not eating it... I'm just really overwhelmed right now. I knew Toad was probably sensitive to a lot of things but I wasn't really expecting this many...

Wisdom? Or even just a hug

[mamafish9]

Big hugs!!

I'm not going to touch the food stuff, there are wiser mamas than I for that. But sensory issues and meltdowns, those are my territory (I had a 3yo on the autism spectrum).

First, I'd try adding some basic supplements for your son - magnesium and B12 in particular. Low magnesium is often a culprit with sensory issues. Meltdowns that can turn aggressive - often that is from serotonin swings. Very low dose 5htp or st johns wort, given frequently (3-4 times a day) can make a huge difference there. Both simple, inexpensive experiments that can have a huge impact in days. Third idea, join us in the glutamate/gaba thread!

[kjbrown92]

No milk, cranberry, pineapple, egg white, baker's yeast, corn, peanut, soy, spelt, cane sugar, gluten/gliadin,

Difficult at first? yes. Impossible? Not at all.

Start by listing all the things you CAN eat. All vegetables except corn. All fruits except cranberry and pineapple. All meats. You can get beet sugar (probably not locally, but NOW Foods has a non-GMO one that I found online for my DS who also can't do cane sugar) or you could use honey, agave, or maple syrup, or palm sugar...

On the recipe threads, you're bound to find some ideas. We're dairy, cranberry, egg, corn, soy, cane sugar, gluten free here as well. My kids don't get bored with food, though I do try to mix it up a bit...

turkey broth with turkey meatballs, rice or rice noodles, and broccoli
chickpeas sauteed with a little curry powder (DS loves this for breakfast, don't ask me why)
sweet potato-corned beef hash
sweet potato fries/regular fries (oven baked or deep fried)
sauteed vegetables in Dosa wraps (fermented lentils, rice, water, salt)
baked or poached salmon
salad
roasted veggies
sauteed veggies
I use stuff called Coconut Aminos that tastes like soy sauce (got it at Whole Foods). I also make coconut milk yogurt with www.giprohealth.com yogurt starter, and use it for dips and salad dressing, and in baking. I use coconut milk in baking
roast chicken with mashed potatoes
We even make pizza with a buckwheat crust (no yeast) and a "ricotta" made with pine nuts and chickpeas. Add some caramelized onions and peppers on top. One of my kids' favorite meals.

You can do it. Start out simple - meat, starch, veggie, fruit. Add on when you get the hang of it. And read labels every time.