Leslie Hammond - Allergy Proof Recipes for Kids: More Than 150 Recipes That are All Wheat-Free, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, Egg-Free and Low in Sugar

W hats for dinner? Is there anything to eat? Can I have some of that? Not a day goes by that thoughts of food do not enter our minds, pushing aside whatever else is in there when we are hungry. Moreover, we eat if we are happy; we eat if we are sad. We celebrate big events and those smaller special moments with food. We socialize over brunch, meet family for lunch, and get together with old friends for dinner. In times of trouble, eating comforts us.

And what would holidays and birthdays, weddings, and graduations be like without their associated feasts, potlucks, and special dishes? Take away the social nature of our food and there most certainly would be a revolution. Like water and shelter, we need food to live. Humans need food on many levelsof course physiological but also emotional! So what happens when foodthat which we desire, crave, and needmakes us ill? Food intolerances and allergies can cause everything from chronic aches and pains to life-threatening reactions. Identifying and avoiding offending foods may be simple or it may drastically alter your life. Its not easy for adults to stay clear of whatever foods may harm them; its even more difficult for children. What does a child with a food allergy do at a birthday party, at school, or at a friends house when something wonderful is served that contains something bad? Saying no, thank you when everyone else is gobbling up the delicious treat is hard to do.

Should you just try a little, so no one will think you are contrary or weird, risking turning red with hives and stopping breathing or suffering with stomachaches for days? Such are the dilemmas faced by those trying to eat the right thing. As a pediatrician, I see many parents who believe their childs various complaints and problems are due to food allergies. Most are not, and when there are specific food interactions, they are usually not true allergies but are common reactions and intolerances. Even so, some parents become afraid to feed their infants or children for fear of what may happen. But then there are those children who suffer with true food allergies, which make their eczema and asthma worse, may cause poor growth, can cause horrible intestinal problems, or can suddenly bring about severe breathing trouble. Daily life can prove simple or hard, depending upon how easy it is to eliminate and avoid the offending food and how cooperative the child is at following the food rules.

Unfortunately, that which is forbidden quickly becomes more attractive. Moreover, others that are unaware the offered food is a no-no and potentially life-threatening for the child may give gifts, treats, and free samples. One food that causes allergic reactions in many, wheat, is often called the staff of life. But wheat can be the disrupter of sleep and spoiler of play for those with wheat and gluten sensitivities and allergiesas it was for the author of this book, Leslie Hammond. I met Leslie when she was a child, trying to figure out why she had such bad belly pains and so many gastrointestinal problems. No one could figure out what was wrong with Leslie.

After a hospitalization, I tested Leslie for many possibilities before we figured out what was ailing her, why she suffered so much. Foodthe staff of life, in particularwas making Leslie sick. The cookies that she craved and the toast that she was eating because it was bland (she figured everything else would further upset her stomach) were actually the culprits. But what foods that kids eat dont have wheat? What could Leslie eat? Well, from the motivation of personal experience, she has been successful in finding ways to enjoy mealtime without suffering later. This cookbook is to help families faced with the challenge of feeding the kids when foods are forbidden. Leslie proves food can still be fun and the centerpiece of lifes partieseven when food allergies are an issue.

She manages this feat by putting the usual ingredients back on the shelf and replacing them with others you may have never used or never thought you could use. Recipes may at first taste or look a tad different, but with a happy body comes a happy mind, and soon we have new foods to comfort the soul and to answer the eternal question, Isnt there anything else to eat? Feeding a child with food allergies can be challenging for parents. All kids want yummy kid-standard fare like macaroni and cheese and spaghetti. All kids want a chocolate chip cookie now and then! With this book, every child gets a cookie, thanks to Leslie. Kevin A. Tracy, MD, Pediatric Internal Medicine, UC Davis Medical Group, Sacramento, California