Diet and driving yourself crazy

April 18, 2010

Bill was so right when he said, " You are all making yourselves and each

other crazy.Some kids will be allergic to Soy or Corn while it will not hurt

another kid. Additionally. as you kids immune system heals he may well get

over some issues with certain foods. " can even have dairy without a

reaction, now that his immune system is better. However, I don't recommend

doing that.

Before was recovered I used to get up every day and worry what I could

and could not feed him. It almost paralyzed me at times until I realized I

needed to concentrate on eliminating the big triggers instead of wasting

hours on this and cooking from scratch. I got rid of the dairy, the things

that showed up on his allergies tests in the highly allergic category, and

too much sugar from too many fruits. That being said I did give him one

cookie in his bag lunch so he didn't feel different from the other kids. (Dr

G hated that. We fought about it all the time until I just stopped telling

Dr. G)

Like Bill said, there are only a finite number of hours in each day and you

need to spend your time on the things that will make the biggest difference

for your child instead of sweating the small stuff.

My time was better spent working with my child to teach him social skills

instead of cooking. Each kid is different and you need to do the best you

can without making yourself or your child apprehensive about what they eat.

It is important that your kid not feel totally deprived and different. I

think that is far worse than a diet infraction. Don't wake up every morning

(like I did) afraid to feed your child anything because it may cause a

reaction. For most kids with immune problems, the most offending foods are

usually dairy, whole wheat, and milk chocolate. When we started the diet,

there were not as many restrictions. Tropical fruit, berries, nut, peanut

butter was allowed. The only restrictions other than dairy, were whole

wheat or chocolate (but only milk chocolate).

My kids made it in spite of all the things we ate. He is now in college,

number 2 in his engineering class, drives, has a ton of friends and even a

girlfriend. He is happy and one of the best people I know. This is the

same kid who the shrink said would be in an institution. Now the only

institution he is at is college.

Instead of concentrating so much on the food, I'm going to share a secret

about what to do if they react to some food they eat. Increase the

exercise, (swimming and trampoline are best) and increase the water they

drink. One thing I don't think Dr. G stresses enough is that exercise is

key for our kids. This is coming from a mom who was always overweight and

never exercised in her life.

In the beginning when there was a party at school, I used to bring different

food for . Sometimes I made things that would not affect him so much

that all the kids would like. Rice Krispy treats come to mind) But in time

I realized that making him feel different was worse than that occasional

party. Instead, I kept his diet very clean at home and in his bag lunch so

when the occasional food problem arouse it wasn't as bad. We were very

strict on the NO DAIRY and only two fruits a day ( not too much sugar), but

other than that we didn't worry about berries, tropical fruits etc.

Some parents find the diet so taxing and restrictive that they eventually

give up the diet and even the medical treatments. That is a big mistake. The

medical component is essential to recovery.

But if you make it too hard on yourself there is no way you will stick with

it.

Hope this helps,

Marcia

April 18, 2010

Marcia-

As always, your words are insightful and inspiring!!! I am so thankful you have

stayed on this group! You truly know what the rest of us are going through!!

It is easy to kill yourself over the diet! On the flip side, because of my

son's illness I have learned to read food labels for the WHOLE family......and,

not just my son!! There is so much *crap* in our foods these days that I

am proud to know I took a few extra minutes to read the label!!! My philosophy

is " to pay now or pay later! " So, our children have a different diet than the

other kids down the road......but, chances your child is eating healthier

and is helping to pave the way for a healthier lifestyle later in life! Who

knows!!!

Lastly, as a Physical Education major, I will second Marcia on the importance of

exercise.......especially in the child!!! We actually have swings, a rock

climbing wall, a slide, and a trampoline IN THE HOUSE for our son!! EVERY

morning, before school (son goes to ABA preschool in Texas) we make sure our son

jumps, and swings and climbs! This sensory " diet " really helps ensure our son

is ready for learning! Plus, the skin is the largest organ in the body, so if

you can get them to sweat a little every day it is nature's best detoxifixation!

Have a blessed day!

-

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