Diet for Chronic Ear Infections/Fluid and Congestion?

[sunnygir1]

I am looking into dietary changes that might improve my children's health.  Dd (4yo) has chronic fluid in her ear(s) and occasional infections.  Ds (20 mo) has reoccurring fluid and infections in his ears as well.  Ds also is often congested, snores, maybe has mild sleep apnea.  He is the one I am worried about and really want to make some changes for.

When I was a child, we were on a macrobiotic diet because I had chronic ear infections and my sister had chronic bronchitis.  According to my mom, it worked.  So, I'm looking at macrobiotics.  I'm also looking at anti-inflammatory diets, Healing with Whole Foods by Paul Pitchford, and the blood type diet.  Now, I don't know my children's blood types, but my husband and I are type A, and that diet is fairly close to a macrobiotic diet.

I would love to hear some experiences and thoughts about diving in to a dietary change for me and my children (I seriously doubt dh will be on board).  What has worked for you, what hasn't, what are your favorite resources?

We are already gluten free, and ds is pretty much off dairy, chocolate, eggs, and tomatoes, although I try them sometimes to see how he's doing -- doesn't seem to get a rash from them any more.  I think cutting out dairy, sugar, and processed foods will be the first and biggest step.  We don't eat that much of that stuff, but we do eat crackers, corn chips, occasional cookies, and I like to bake.  Except for ds, we do eat dairy, but not a ton, and dd uses almond milk.  We do eat a fair amount of goat cheese.

Okay, I'm babbling...thoughts?

[kjbrown92]

all dairy and all gluten. if you're going to go off something, go off it all the way to see if it's a problem (the next two most common offenders are soy and corn).