Low allergy items to stock the pantry
In early childhood services that cater for multiple food allergies, having one low allergy menu is often the most practical choice. This means that the low allergy menu may not include cow’s milk, soy, eggs, wheat and nuts, and as a result, many commercial food products will not be suitable.
The low allergy menu will need to be based on foods such as fresh fruit and vegetables, lean meat and alternatives, calcium fortified rice milk and rice and corn products.
It is not appropriate to combine a low allergy menu with a vegetarian menu, as this limits the types and variety of foods provided for both vegetarian children as well as children with food allergies. Restricting certain foods or food groups unnecessarily can impact on children’s growth and development. For example, children with allergies benefit from the protein and other nutrients found in lean meats and alternatives. Similarly, vegetarian children benefit from the nutrients provided in milk, eggs and wheat in particular.
The following table summarises types of foods that may be suitable to include in a low allergy menu, as well as foods that are most likely to contain common allergens (which should be avoided in a low allergy menu).
Category |
Suitable items free from milk, soy, egg, wheat and nuts |
Items that contain or are likely to contain milk, soy, egg, wheat or nuts |
---|---|---|
Fruit and vegetables |
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Grain (cereal) products |
|
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|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
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Milk, yoghurt, cheese and alternatives, and dairy desserts |
|
|
Meat, poultry, fish, eggs, legumes and nuts and alternatives |
|
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Cakes and biscuits
|
|
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Salad dressings and sauces |
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Soups
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Jams and spreads |
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Fats and oils
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Other |
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Shopping for allergy friendly products
Many allergy friendly products can be found in supermarket health food aisles. These products may also be available directly from the supplier. Allergy friendly products change regularly, but this list is a handy starting point.
Item |
Allergy free item or brand |
---|---|
Egg replacer |
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Cow’s milk alternative |
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Yoghurt alternatives |
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Milk free spreads |
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Gluten / wheat free flours and baking products Check that these do not contain soy |
|
Gluten free soy sauce |
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Gluten free stock powder |
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Gluten free pasta |
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Gluten free breadcrumbs |
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Adapted with permission from Cow’s milk, soy, egg, wheat and nut free diet, Department of Allergy and Immunology, Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne, November 2007.