Food Allergy Living Blog

This weekend, January 21^st– 24^th, we will be exhibiting at the 35^thannual Clinical Nutrition Week 2012 (CNW 12) in Orlando, Florida.

CNW, hosted by the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (A.S.P.E.N.), is a three-and-a-half day conference with educational workshops for physicians, dietitians, nurses, pharmacists, educators and researchers who practice in the area of clinical nutrition.

Every year we look forward to coming face-to-face with the physicians, dietitians, nurses, pharmacists and researchers and helping them improve patient care.  This is our time to demonstrate how we are advancing the science and practice of nutrition support therapy through our Neocateproducts and services. 

This year we are especially excited to promote our newest product — Neocate® Junior with Prebiotics, Vanilla!  As we’ve mentioned before on the blog Neocate® Junior with Prebiotics, Vanilla is the first and only flavored amino acid-based medical food with soluble prebiotic fiber for children with GI conditions.

We’ll be sure to keep you posted on all of the fun and exciting things we hope to learn this weekend!  And, if you’re interested in learning more about A.S.P.E.N. and the CNW conference, check out their website and for the latest news updates, announcements and events Like them on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/nutritioncare.org) and follow them on Twitter (@ASPENWEB). 

As most of you know, we redesigned our Neocate.com website in May of 2011.  In case you haven’t paid us a visit, come on by.  We added a few new online tools to help provide support and guidance to you and your family.  Our new Parent’s Toolbox and Reference Library includes a symptoms guide, glossary and a symptom checker which have all gotten great reviews – thank you for the feedback! 

Our website is always a work in progress and we will continue to work on providing new tools and resources.  Our newest online tool that we are excited to share with you is the online diary!

The online diary is a perfect tool to use when you are trying to determine the right formula for your child, starting on solids or reintroducing foods into your little ones diet.

It is tough to remember or keep track of all the small (or big) symptoms or behaviors that may occur throughout the day and even more difficult trying to relate those symptoms back to a food if you’re not recording it somewhere.  Keeping a daily diary of what your child eats and drinks – and any symptoms you see afterward – gives your child’s doctors vital information. It can help them identify what might be triggering any symptoms. This online diary makes keeping track of everything a snap.

Over the past few weeks, under the guidance of my little ones physician, I have started adding solids into my 6 month olds diet.  Since starting, I've noticed a little rash around his mouth and chin.  With the dry winter weather just starting and the drool from new teeth coming in I couldn't figure out if the new foods I was introducing was causing the rash or not.

So I started using the online diary to record everything that we did.  When he took a bottle, when he ate solids, what he ate, when he was out in the cold, when the rash appeared, the severity of the rash, etc.  With the help of the online diary I was then able to begin to see a pattern of when the rash was appearing - right after we fed him, every night.  Could he really be allergic to peas?  I still had my doubts but relieved to have a record of what was occurring to share with my doctor.  Now we both had a clear understanding of what was going on and therefore were able to best determine the root of the problem.

I hope all of you find the online diary to be as resourceful as I do.  Do you have any other ideas of useful tools you'd like to see on Neocate.com?

-Sarah

Based on feedback and ideas that we hear from you, we try to find ways to provide options for those little ones using our Neocate products.  We've developed a collection of delicious and delightful recipes using our Neocate products that are now available to view online!  We hope your little ones find these recipes enjoyable and allows for a little variety in their diets.  Here is a favorite included in the book:

Apple Delight

Ingredients

• 1/2 apple, peeled, diced and cooked until soft
• 2 pitted-prunes diced and cooked (boiled in water) until soft
• 2 fl oz water
• 4 scoops Neocate Infant DHA/ARA powder
• A pinch of cinnamon

Directions

• Add water to apple and prunes and blend to desired consistency
• Add the Neocate Infant DHA/ARA powder and stir
• Sprinkle with cinnamon (optional)
• Serve immediately or store in a refrigerator for up to 24 hours

Makes 1 serving

Calories          Protein          Fat          Carbohydrate

156                   3 g                 4 g           30 g

Do you have any of your own recipes using Neocate - we'd love to hear about them!

-Sarah

Consult your healthcare professional to determine if these recipes, ingredients and consistencies are appropriate for your child.  Nutritional values are approximate and will vary based on brands, quantities and substitutions.

As you know at Nutricia we love to hear from our customers and we’ve made it easy to contact us via e-mail or phone. But today we’re excited to announce a new way for you connect with us – live online chat!

Our chat allows you to speak with either our Nutrition Specialists or Customer Service representatives. We are here to help answer any questions you have about our products, your child’s nutrition, placing orders, managing your account, and product pricing. Our teams are available from 8:30am-5:00pm EST Monday through Friday to answer your questions.

To get started click the "Buy Neocate" link on the Neocate.com homepage. Once you’re there you’ll see our Live Chat option on the lower left corner of the screen. Once you click on it, we’ll ask for some basic contact information and which department you’d like to speak to and in a few moments you’ll be connected with one of our representatives.

Our goal is to be here for you so that purchasing Neocate for your little one is as easy as possible. If you’ve given our live chat a try, let us know what you think on our Facebook page or below in the comments section!

We look forward to speaking with you soon.

-Christine  

Three million children are affected by food allergies in the US. Studies have also suggested that food allergies persist longer in life than was once previously assumed.¹Food allergies can have a wide ranging negative effect on children and their families, affecting life at home as well as the social lives of the family.

Sending a food allergic child to school, camp or any child care can be a scary task for a parent. Doctors are helping families prepare for these situations by ensuring that:

• Each child has an epinephrine device
• The family and child (if age appropriate) know how and when to use the device
• The family can train others on how to use device
• The student has an emergency plan (such as a 504 plan) for the facility in case of a reaction

Reactions in schools

Reactions in schools are actually rare. However, it is important to know that reactions do occur in schools and can be severe in some circumstances.

There has been a growing trend of parents who home school their food allergic child due to fear of a reaction. It is important to know that the vast majority of food allergic children can and do attend school safely.^2-4

The highest risk of a reaction is from direct ingestion of the food. Studies have shown that reactions to environmental or airborne exposure to allergens are extremely low.  In summary, the greatest risk of a reaction is from direct ingestion of the allergen.

Management of reactions at school

Reaction to a food allergen should be treated in a universal fashion. Isolated skin or mild GI symptoms without signs of shock (ie. hypotension, respiratory symptoms) can be generally managed with short acting oral histamines such as Benadryl® or Vistaril®.

Epinephrine should be given as soon as possible for more severe reactions involving laryngeal, pharyngeal or respiratory symptoms, severe vomiting or shock, followed by antihistamines with additional epinephrine as necessary. These protocols should be clearly communicated to parents by the healthcare professional.

Food reaction scenarios are where an Emergency Plan or 504 plan for your child must be available and easy to follow for all appropriate personnel at the school. Full time nursing availability in schools is becoming uncommon, which has placed the burden on the teachers and administrations. Studies have shown that emergency plans are not always followed as written, especially in schools without full time nurses.  This is why the healthcare community and parents must seize the opportunity to better educate all involved.

Do you have any tips for managing your child’s food allergies at school?

*This article was adapted from a Medscape Special Report, Oct 2011, written by Dr. Matthew J. Greenhawt, MD, MBA

1. Boyce JAS, Assa'ad A, Burks AW, et al. Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of food allergy in the United States: report of the NIAID-sponsored expert panel. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2010; 126(6 Suppl):S1-S58
2. Young MC, Munoz-Furlong A, Sicherer SH. Management of food allergies in schools: a perspective for allergists. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2009;124:175-182.
3. Greenhawt MJ, McMorris MS, Furlong TJ. Self-reported allergic reactions to peanuts and tree nuts occurring in schools and child care facilities (Abstract). J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2008;121(S1):S95.
4. Sicherer SH, Furlong TJ, DeSimone J, Sampson HA. The US peanut and tree nut allergy registry: characteristics of reactions in schools and day care. J Pediatr. 2001;138:560-565.

At eight months, Mendel was a healthy, happy baby and began eating solid foods without a problem. Surprisingly, at twelve months, Mendel developed a severe stomach virus causing his parents to admit him to the hospital.  From this point forward, Mendel was unable to consume solid foods.     

“It was very strenuous for the family not knowing what was wrong with him,” said Mendel’s mother Yitty.

After staying in the hospital and being put on IV fluids for a few days, Mendel returned home.  However, over the next few weeks, he lost a significant amount of weight as he refused to eat solid foods.  

Yitty spent months going from doctor to doctor to try to get a proper diagnosis for Mendel.  All the while he was slowly falling off of the growth chart. 

Mendel was showing signs of a milk allergy, eczema and overall gastrointestinal (GI) issues, but no one could give him a definite diagnosis.

Finally, Mendel’s doctor recommended E028 Splash, a nutritionally complete amino acid-based drink for children with GI issues. Mendel began drinking E028 Splash as his sole source of nutrition.

“Once Mendel was able to consume the amount of the E028 Splash he needed to fulfill his calorie intake, he started to gain weight,” explained Yitty.  “A year and a half later, Mendel still relies on E028 Splash as his primary source nutrition and is continuing to gain a healthy amount of weight.” 

Mendel has been on E028 Splash for the last year and a half.  He recently started school and is able to carry his E028 Splash drink box easily in his lunch bag.

“Mendel feels great on E028 Splash.  Not only has he gained weight, but he is now behaving better too!” said Yitty.  

This winter try out our allergy-friendly French toast and pancakes. 

 French Toast 

•  2 Pieces of spelt bread
• 1/4 cup of soy milk
• Dash of cinnamon

Combine milk and cinnamon.  Dip and coat the bread lightly in the soy milk mixture.  Place on preheated skillet on low-med heat.  You will have to cook it longer to ensure the soy milk dries and the toast isn’t mushy.

Per 2 pieces

Calories: 250

Protein: 10g

Carbohydrates: 44g

Fat: 5g

Submitted by: Katherine Kennedy

Pancakes

• 2/3 cup of rice flour
• 1/4 cup of water
• Pinch of salt
• 2 Tbsp of sugar
• 1 1/2 Tsp of baking soda

Mix all ingredients together.  Heat oil in a skillet on stovetop.  Pour about 1/2 of mixture onto hot oil.  Cook a few minutes until firm then turn over. 

Makes up to 4 pancakes

Per 1 pancake

Calories: 120

Protein: 1g

Carbohydrates: 26g

Fat: 0g

Submitted by: Sophie Jakovich

Please check each recipe to be sure all ingredients are safe for your child.  If you have any questions, please consult with your physician.
Please note that spelt is a relative of wheat, so may not be appropriate for individuals with wheat allergy or gluten sensitivity.

Also, to get more food allergy recipes, download our Food Allergy Cookbook! 

FRENCH TOAST IMAGE SOURCE

PANCAKE IMAGE SOURCE

Q:I’ve found a few cans of Neocate at the back of my pantry that I’d forgotten about. The expiration date was last week, but they’re still okay to use, right?

A:We get questions about using Neocate past the expiration date often. Here’s what you need to know:

The expiration date

For our powdered Neocate products you can find the expiration date on the bottom of the can. If you’re looking at a drink box of E028 Splash, you can find the expiration date on the top of the drink box. The expiration dates on the Neocate family of products follow the standard North American format, which is Month/Day/Year. Technically, the product is good to use through midnight on that date.

How are your expiration dates determined?

The expiration date on any product, not just Nutricia products, is based on several factors. One is the integrity of the packaging materials. We want to ensure they will keep the contents safe until the expiration date. Another is the stability of the ingredients. For instance, some fats go rancid faster than others – think fresh walnuts versus vegetable oil for cooking. We want to ensure that the product is fresh for the full shelf-life.

A related factor is to ensure that the nutrients in the product are going to be present at the levels on the label. Nutrients, particularly vitamins, have a tendency to naturally break down over time, some faster than others. Especially since many children use Neocate to meet their full nutritional needs, it’s very important that the right amount of each nutrient is in the product. We conduct extensive testing under a number of conditions to ensure that the nutrients hold up until the expiration date.

What we recommend

The ultimate intent of an expiration date is to keep our customers safe and ensure they receive the nutrients that they need. We cannot recommend using any of our products past the expiration date. Period!

If you have further questions about this, we’d recommend discussing this with your health care team. It may help to provide them with the above information to get their informed opinion. 

On behalf of all of us here at Nutricia North America, the makers of Neocate, we want to wish you and yours a very happy and healthy new year! 

On behalf of all of us here at Nutricia North America the makers of Neocate, we want to wish you and your families a very happy, healthy holiday season!  We hope these festive allergy-friendly recipes brighten your holiday!

Milk-Free Hot Chocolate

• 4 scoops Neocate Junior Chocolate
• 4 ounces water
• 2 tsp sugar (optional)

Heat water on the stove or in the microwave. Remove from heat, allow to cool and add Neocate powder and sugar. Stir well. Top with marshmallows (check the label to be sure the brand is appropriate for your child’s dietary restrictions).

Calories: 170
Protein: 5.2g Fat: 7g
Carbohydrate: 22.5g
Calcium: 183mg
Vitamin D: 1.8mcg

 Gingerbread Cookies:

• 3 3/4 cups flour
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 3/4 cup molasses
• 2/3 cup canola oil
• 1 egg beaten
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg
• 2 tsp ground ginger

Directions:

Over medium heat combine molasses, oil and sugar in a saucepan and bring to a boil while stirring constantly. Set aside. Combine flour and other dry ingredients in a mixing bowl and add molasses, sugar and oil and pour into mixing bowl and then add egg and blend together to form a thick dough ball. Wrap dough in plastic and chill for 1 hour (if dough is too dry, add drops of canola oil, if too sticky to roll out, add flour). Preheat oven to 350°F. Divide dough in half and roll out on floured surface. Use cookie cutters and place cookies on a greased cookie sheet. Bake 10-14 minutes and let cool.

• Calories190
• Protein 2g
• Carbohydrates 31g
• Fat 7g

Makes 2 dozen cookies

Submitted by: Marie Bedard

Milk-free Peppermint Shake:

• 6 scoops Neocate Junior unflavored
• 6.5 ounces water
• 1 cup Organic Rice Dream® Vanilla Frozen Dessert if tolerated, or alternatively, add 1 cup crushed ice
• 1/8^thtsp peppermint flavor (be careful, a little goes a long way!)
• 2 tsp sugar (optional)

Add all ingredients except Neocate powder into the blender and mix until smooth. Next, add Neocate powder and mix on low setting until blended. Pour and serve. Makes 1-2 servings. If your child drinks smaller servings, pour half and store the remaining shake in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.

Tip:Remember using the Old-fashioned peppermint sticks as a straw? Try using it with this shake! Check ingredients because brands will vary. Alternatively, you could use candy-striped straws, which you can find at most party stores!

Calories: 409
Protein: 8g
Fat: 18g
Carbohydrate: 54g
Calcium: 295mg
Vitamin D: 206mcg