Yes, ear infections are among the many symptoms that may respond to dietary investigation. Cows milk is often suspect. However just like other symptoms each child has their own cluster of sensitivities. They can include any of the suspect chemicals, and foods to which any family member is allergic, as well as infections, or inhalant allergens. One problem that makes this sad is that often the children are food intolerant and therefore are reacting to the strong artificial flavour in the … [Read more...]
Chronic ear infections – diet can have a role
What are the steps in thinking about diet and chronic ear infections? The first is that chronic ear infections are known to have an adverse effect on hearing. Then this has an adverse effect on language development, and because hearing is decreased behaviour problems can arise. Preventing these problems is important. The second idea is to think about what is known about causes or reasons for chronic ear infections? Chronic ear infections are more likely to occur:- where infections … [Read more...]
Smelly poo and other embarrassing things. It is not just bad breath that is distressing in food sensitive people.
When I remind food sensitive patients to reduce all toiletries containing perfumes as part of their diet investigation many mothers say “That is a problem as we need deodorants for our strong body odour!” So I found perfume-free deodorants. As well, some mothers comment on their children’s smelly poos or the strong urine odour. What is happening? It seems that food sensitive people are poor metabolisers of strong smelling compounds in their diet. This means that their body excretes them … [Read more...]
Food tolerance changes with hormone cycles.
Many people who have tyramine sensitivity are also sensitive to other amines, and many are also sensitive to other chemicals in food that are often reported as causing reactions [additives,and chemicals in highly flavoured foods]. In addition they are often sensitive to factors in the environment, particularly strong smells, and to factors changing in themselves. I call this the "Total Body Load" to emphasize that the greater the total body load the closer you are to your threshold, the more … [Read more...]
Badbreath is distressing
Bad breath can be very distressing I discovered bad breath, and how to reduce it, in a particular group of people, by accident. As a dietitian I helped people who suspected they were having adverse reactions to food investigate their diet. They often suspected they, or their children, reacted to foods high in additives, rich food, chocolate, herbs and spices, acidic fruit, or monosodium glutamate [MSG]. Over time I realized that suspect foods were usually high in flavour. The symptoms they … [Read more...]
Baby-Led Weaning – helping your baby love good food
A review of Baby-led Weaning By Gill Rapley & Tracey Murkett 2008 Vermilion London The idea of baby-led weaning includes two important ideas: 1 The baby leads decisions on what food it is interested in. The author recommends providing a variety of foods to the baby at family meals so the baby chooses what it will experience, play with, and taste, proposing that with this method the baby will enjoy food, obtain adequate nutrition, and not have any eating problems; 2 … [Read more...]
Parent aware, child will get there
While a child is learning to accept foods it helps if the parent understands that every change is a new experience for the baby and the baby may or may not be ready for that change. By being aware the parent can see just what aspect of the food is not accepted and take a step back to progress according to what aspects of the food the child can manage and what new aspects may take more time. Eg when a new food is introduced the baby is coping with a different taste, texture, smell, thickness … [Read more...]