Milky Way

Want to hear something weird? Most of the world's population actually can't digest milk. According to a recent USA Today article, "Somewhat less than 40% of people in the world retain the ability to digest lactose after childhood. The numbers are often given as close to 0% of Native Americans, 5% of Asians, 25% of African and Caribbean peoples, 50% of Mediterranean peoples and 90% of northern Europeans. Sweden has one of the world's highest percentages of lactase tolerant people."

The really weird part is that "[b]eing able to digest milk is so strange that scientists say we shouldn't really call lactose intolerance a disease, because that presumes it's abnormal. Instead, they call it lactase persistence, indicating what's really weird is the ability to continue to drink milk."

So those of us who can chug milk or munch on tons of cheese are actually in the minority. Granted, having an intolerance probably won't send you to the hospital in dire need of Epinephrine the way having an allergy to dairy will, but consuming milk products can still make you feel lousy and people with a lactose intolerance still have a tough time navigating restaurant menus.

Chicken Nuggets Are So Yummy

I never got into chicken nuggets. When I was a kid and we went to a fast-food place, I stuck with the tried-and-true basic burger. As I got older, of course, they just seemed sort of gross (is there even chicken in those things?). But then I discovered the yummy brand of chicken nuggets. They're definitely a step up from the usual (all chicken breast, all natural, etc.) and they taste amazing. (Greasy and rich and all that, but if you're three, why not?) They're good enough that I'd want them for a meal now and then myself (dieting issues not withstanding).

We had made them a billion years ago for Amelia and then she went through her chicken boycott phase, so we forgot about them for a while, but recently when we realized we needed to broaden her diet just a wee bit, we tried them again. The first time was a dud -- she dumped her "dipping sauce" (maple syrup) over them, they got cold and soggy, and that was the end of it. This time, we cut them up into smaller pieces and gave her a fork (she isn't a huge fan of getting greasy fingers) and she totally ate them. Not a TON, mind you, not like her 1/4 lb. of turkey she can pack away, but still, a respectable, pre-schooler serving size. They cost more (sigh, of course) but they're so worth it. Here's what's in them: Chicken Breast Meat, Water, Salt, Breaded with Unbleached Wheat Flour, Evaporated Cane Juice, Dried Yeast, Spices, Paprika. Flash fried in non-hydrogenated soybean oil to set breading. Not bad, right?

Soy Confusing!

You know what's weird? That people with soy allergies can eat soy lecithin and soybean oil. I guess those two soy products have been broken down so much that the body can't "recognize" that it is actually soy, and won't react with an assault.

Anyway, when I read a label and the allergen statement says "contains SOY" I put it down and move along. But then Amelia asked for animal crackers (where did she even learn what those were?) I figured I'd start looking to see if we could find an okay brand for her. Barnum's Animal Crackers seemed to fit the bill -- it had the "contains SOY" labeling so I'd never bought them for her before, but upon further review, the only soy was the above-mentioned soy lecithin and soybean oil. It was confusing, though -- why was the company labeling for soy as an allergen if the only soy was the okay kind? I even ran it by Amelia's dietitian, who gave us the okay, so we let Amelia have some of these last week. She liked them okay but didn't seem to be in love, but I think she was really happy that she asked for a certain food and was able to have it. Of course, her dad and I devoured the whole stupid bag of them on a recent long drive. Argh.

A love letter to Ian's Natural Foods

There are food companies popping up left and right to address the increase in allergies as well as the rise in celiac disease (hey, there's gold in 'dem 'dere hills) but a few really stand out as being particularly impressive.

In my first Tales From the Peanut-Free Table Love Letters, I am sending a big warm fuzzy hug to Ian's Natural Foods. They have a huge allergen-free line of frozen and convenience foods like Alphatots (tater tots with letters), a Mac & No Cheese (made with rice milk and other non-dairy stuff), and French Toast Sticks. None of their stuff has artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. On their site, you can search for products with a specific allergen. They even put their money where their mouth is by sponsoring a Massachusetts golf tournament benefitting FAAN. But what I like most of all is that they strive to make their allergen-free foods as fun and tasty as their other stuff, so that even kids on restricted diets can get something special, cool, and let's admit it, frozen and packaged and happy-meal-esque.

So to you, Ian's, thank you and ♥

Turns out most kids are fussy eaters

What? you gasp, children are often fussy about food? No! Well, yes. I know, it's obvious, but as a parent, I have a hard time knowing what is "normal" and what is just my kid. I always assume because we had some really extreme eating-related issues during Amelia's early years with the allergies and reflux that she is a particularly picky eater.

But the more I talk to other parents, the more I see that she may be somewhere in the picky side of things but she's definitely not alone.

My friend Lise was here yesterday with her totally flexible, good-natured four-year-old Caralena. The kid had been traveling for days but was still super cheerful and well-mannered. No tantrums. No talking back. Awesome kid. But I digress.

Her mom told me that the list of foods that Caralena eats is probably only a tad bit longer than Amelia's. I was definitely surprised. In my mind I'm imaging households of children spooning up spicy red sauce or sushi or lobster or duck a l'orange (is that a dish?), and that we're the only ones stuck in a "kid meal" rut. So, Caralena, thanks for being such a cute guest and for helping me see that having an adventurous eater is the exception, not the rule.

One fish, two fish, no fish on my dish

Amelia's not allergic to fish. She's been tested (skin and blood) more than once, and she's come up negative to cod, salmon, and tuna (presumably, that means she's fine with just about any fish). But since it's a top-8 allergen, and one that can cause serious reactions in people who are allergic, I was nervous as can be about offering it to her.

As I've said before, her caution combined with my nervousness equals not taking enough risks, either of us. So I decided tonight was the night to put some fish on Amelia's plate. I made some really simple and tasty oven fried cod. It was super basic (dip cod in melted margarine, then dredge in crushed rice cereal mixed with salt and pepper, bake for 15 minutes at 400). I put a tiny bit on her plate, along with a baked potato and (of course) her turkey. Plus a bowl of strawberries. She devoured the turkey and then set to work on the berries. When she asked for more strawberries, I told her she was welcome to seconds if she'd try a bite of either the fish or the potato first. She did a lot of lifting up of the potato, then putting it down. Finally, she grabbed some fish, stuffed it in her mouth, cried, spit it out, and told me she didn't like it. The whole thing took about 1/10th of a second. I had a moment of "uh-oh, is she allergic after all and spitting it out because it is making her sick?" but then I realized, hey, if you don't like something and you're three, you spit it out.

As the meal went on (fish incident over as quickly as it started) she told me sometimes she doesn't like a food the first time she tries it but then she starts to like it more the second time. It's cool that she realizes that. Maybe it's because we're taking swim class and we've been talking about how each day she is less scared and likes it more, and how proud I am of her. She even asked if I was still proud even though she was scared, and I explained how I was even prouder -- that it was hard to do stuff when you were frightened and that made it all the more awesome that she was forging ahead.

Oh, today we made some yummy Ian's Alphatots. Not the healthiest, but once in a while, why not? I heart that company -- they make a ton of free-from-top-8-allergens foods, and really make an effort to make stuff that's fun for kids. I called them once, too -- and the customer service rep was super friendly and helpful. Plus they sent me a coupon, so it's true love forever now. What can I say? I'm a cheap date.

When is it caution and when is it just flat-out crazy?

Ever since Amelia was diagnosed with her food allergies, I've tended to be hyper-cautious about cleaning the kitchen. I wield my Clorox wipes like a weapon and when we cook with stuff she's allergic to, I pretty much don a Hazmat suit and treat all surfaces as if someone has sprinkled anthrax on the counter tops. I even used to wash my hands before I'd put dishes in the dishwasher (which is so crazy I've forgotten my rationale). When we go out and she has a snack somewhere besides home, I am wiping surfaces, and wiping her hands, and re-wiping over and over. It gets to be a bit much, even for me, and everyone else thinks I'm nuts -- in-laws, godparents, even my husband, but I would rather err on the side of caution.

But lately I've started to relax a bit. I'm not sure why. Maybe it's fatigue from having a new baby, or that we've had a full year of preschool under our belts (with nary a reaction, yay!) or some other reason, but I am getting more laid-back. I even let Len bring eggs back in the house after a two-year ban, because I realized that there's really no good, logical, medical reason to keep any allergen out of the home, so long as we clean up well after cooking and eating it.

But it does make me wonder: am I relaxing in a good way -- learning how to allow a child some freedom? Or am I getting cocky and letting down my guard too much, just because we've had no allergic reactions since Amelia got her diagnosis? One allergist told a parent that "if you're not the most neurotic mother in the room, you're not doing a good enough job." How's that for alarming?

I'm still not planning on retiring my Clorox wipes, but if I can relax a bit it may be better for me, and for her, too. After all, she has to live in a world where the overwhelming majority of people will be eating food that she can't. If I can teach her to be cautious, not crazy, I know she'll do just fine. I just have to figure it out how to walk that fine line myself first.