Does your kid need to stay away from milk? Intolerances and allergies, such as milk, have become so common that parents have a long list of foods that are prohibited from entering the school to keep children safe. When I recently spent an evening with mothers and their children, I was taken aback by the number of questions and concerns on dairy intolerance.
Intolerances and allergies have existed from time immemorial. However, they were never as widespread or severe as they are today. Normally, natural allergens like pollen cause seasonal allergies, which run their course and die out. But according to most doctors, allergies are no more seasonal. They have become perennial. And this is due to the influence of 'unnatural' allergens - like fumes of diesel exhausts, volatile organic solvents (VOC), pesticides, and tobacco smoke.
These health hazards are present around us, yet we are completely unaware of their threat. Rapid industrialization and an increased dependence on products with high chemical content have wreaked havoc on our environment and in turn, our bodies. Contamination of food and water with pesticides and fertilizers, addiction to processed food items and additives, dust, smog, and constant exposure to VOCs from regularly used substances like plastics, adhesives and paints are all harming our bodies. And our defense systems cannot keep pace with these rapid changes in the environment.
Moreover, it is a vicious cycle. Increased intolerances and allergies means reduced efficiency of the immune system, which in turn means that the body becomes more susceptible to disease.
And you cannot even choose to lock yourself out from these villains because allergens are present everywhere - even indoors. Thus, a constant battle is raging between our immune system and the changing environment. The latter seems to be outstripping the immune system's ability to adapt and deal with the situation.
For the mothers I was sitting with, all of these environmental factors added to the constant struggle of constipation for their little ones and the concern of giving them enough calcium. If you are discovering your child might have an intolerance or allergy it is vital that you keep the food away from them and see your physician.
Many children don't have enough calcium in their diet because parents strictly eliminate dairy once stomach pains and the other discomforts that are associated with dairy intolerance arise. Instead of banning dairy foods from a sensitive child's diet, slowly introduce them to determine the child's level of tolerance. Some children are able to tolerate one glass of milk, but get symptoms with a second. Some can't tolerate milk but can tolerate yogurt because the lactose is partly broken down by bacteria; and some can tolerate hard cheese.
The Food and Nutrition Board of the National Academy of Sciences recommends:
* 500 mg a day for kids who are 1 to 3 years old
* 800 mg a day for kids who are 4 to 8 years old
* 1,300 mg a day for kids who are 9 to 18 years old
Nondairy Foods with Calcium
These nondairy foods can be good choices for kids with milk allergies and intolerance who need calcium:
* Salmon
* Tofu
* Rhubarb
* Sardines
* Collard greens
* Spinach
* Turnip greens
* Okra
* White beans
* Baked beans
* Broccoli
* Peas
* Brussels sprouts
* Sesame seeds
* Bok Choy
* Almonds
Calcium-fortified Foods
In addition to the large number of calcium rich foods that are naturally found, like milk and cheese, a lot of foods are now fortified with calcium. These can be especially good choices.
* Calcium-fortified breakfast cereal
* Calcium-fortified orange juice
* Calcium-fortified soymilk
* Calcium-fortified bread or English muffins
If you're looking for nutrient content check out: http://babyandkidallergies.com/calcium_content.php
Nicole Ohebshalom
Radiant Living Wellness
Children need to learn to be more tolorent of milk and other beverages. There's more to drink in this world than Pepsi.
I agree completely. You just need to find the degree of tolerance for your children and yourself.