Filling the Nutritional Gaps for Babies With Food Allergies

Other allergen-likely foods provide these nutrients:

Eggs. Protein, iron, biotin, folacin, riboflavin, and vitamins A, D, E, and B12.

Nutritional substitutes: Meats, fish, poultry, legumes, dairy, fruit, vegetables, leafy greens, enriched grains.

Soy. Protein, thiamin, riboflavin, iron, calcium, zinc, and vitamin B6.

Nutritional substitutes: Meats, fish, poultry, legumes, eggs, dairy, fruit, vegetables, leafy greens, enriched grains.

Wheat. B vitamins and iron.

Nutritional substitutes: Rice, corn, oats, barley, buckwheat.

Peanuts and tree nuts. Protein, vitamins, minerals

Nutritional substitutes: Meats, fish, poultry, eggs, dairy, fruit, vegetables, enriched grains.

Fish and shellfish. Protein, niacin, vitamins B6, B12, A, and E.

Nutritional substitutes: Meats, poultry, eggs, dairy, fruit, vegetables, and enriched grains.

The foods you choose to help fill in gaps in your child’s diet will depend on other allergies they have. You should always run dietary changes by your pediatrician to be sure your baby is well-nourished.

“Work with your health care team to know what it is that you need to avoid, and then work with them to otherwise keep the diet as broad as possible,” says Pistiner. “Include foods that may contain micronutrients and vitamins commonly found in the foods that need to be excluded.”