Allergy-Free Kids: The Science-Based Approach to Preventing Food Allergies

by Robin Nixon Pompa

Based on recent groundbreaking studies that will change the way parents feed their children, Allergy-Free Kids is a revolutionary guide to preventing food allergies. When her infant daughter was diagnosed with life-threatening food allergies, Robin Nixon Pompa found Dr. Gideon Lack, a clinical researcher on the verge of a breakthrough in allergy prevention and treatment that would heal her daughter and, later, her sons. The secret: building acceptance of allergens through repeated careful feedings. Instead of avoiding eggs, nuts, and other allergens, as previous recommendations held, most parents should introduce them into their children’s diets, "early, carefully and often, for at least the first five years of life." This life-changing approach is being embraced by the medical community, especially for peanut allergy, and is reflected in new guidelines from the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, the National Institutes of Health and other major medical associations. Allergy-Free Kids includes a concise, easy-to-understand overview of the research as well as seventy simple and delicious kid-friendly recipes to help parents integrate unfamiliar allergen foods into a child’s diet. Divided by allergen, Allergy-Free Kids contains sections on Eggs, Peanuts and Tree Nuts, Cow’s Milk, Sesame, Wheat and Fish. It also discusses other foods, such as kiwi and soy, which are increasingly causing allergic reactions. The book includes feeding advice, and maintenance doses, followed by recipes suitable for babies, toddlers and preschoolers, including Open Sesame Sweet Potatoes, Nut Flour Crackers, Cocoa "Puffs" and Eggs-Pretending-to-be-Muffins. Following the new medical guidelines, Allergy-Free Kids empowers parents to help their kids avoid a lifelong struggle with food allergies—and bring variety and joy back to family meals.

Genres: Nonfiction, Parenting, Health

272 pages, Hardcover

Published April 4, 2017

Reviews

[Jacinda · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really would be rating this one a 2.5 stars. It was an interesting read and it covered some great ways to reduce allergies that sound promising. But in part I wanted to check up on some of the science with the main one being the continual insistence that you must feed babies common allergy causing foods from 3 months. This contradicts other advice that says exclusively breastfeeding for 6 months reduces risks... So I searched on Google scholar for articles that backed up the 3-5 month crucial window as mentioned in the book and sure there were a few studies that were for it, but more interesting to me was the large gap that appeared for what happened to feeding those kids between 6-9 months. The science matched up about delaying allergens until after 10 months can begin to increase the risk of allergic reactions, but not enough science exists at this stage to convince me 3-5 months is better than 6-9 months - particularly if there isn't a strong family history of allergies.

[Raman K · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book gave me insight on how kids develop allergies at such a young age and how to prevent them. Roughly half the book is recipes that will be good to try out

[Vicki Pompa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was particularly interested in reading this book after I saw a recent piece about it in the New York Post. I have four grandchildren with food allergies, and it is about time we had a practical guide to explain what the latest research recommends. The details of the author’s journey in writing the book make interesting and quick reading. Nice summaries at the end of each chapter are cleverly called “In an allergy-free nutshell.” The recipes are easy to follow and clearly labeled with the targeted allergens. This is a book I will share and recommend to all families with food allergies.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Radical ideas that will take time to be accepted- even though the science is there. Good writing and good anecdotes.

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first half of the book makes the case for introducing allergens early and often. The second half was all recipes.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some good thoughts here and good points on statistics and how other cultures do food and what allergies they have. I’d liked to have read more scientific studies within the chapters, the writer seemed to go on a passionate tangent, using personal experience (which believe me - I think that is great) but opinions are just opinions, and when it comes to parenting, you do get a lot of that. I’d liked to have read more about cultures and science but that’s ok, it’s given me a lot to think about and consider - and I’ve also tried a recipe already and it’s a massive hit! So I’m going to be saving these recipes for some great ideas.

[Michael Šubák · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book says that, according to recommendition the UK and USA government, it was recommended to omit the administration of allergic foods in childhood in 2000 and the mother should not consume allergens during pregnancy. This may also be the reason why I have a lot of allergies now. In the book, I like that it compares research. Specifically, it initially compared peanuts and occurrence between the UK and Israel (consumption from 4 months) with adding personal experiences. I think this book should be need to read for a pre-parent reading.

[Sofia · Rating 2 out of 5]

It would be nice if allergists actually practiced oral integration therapy. But in my city they don't. So where does that leave me? How can I follow the principles of the book without a doctor to help guide? Very frustrating.

[Kirsten · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was fine probably a bit outdated