Food Allergies the Finale

I have been experimenting with Lily's diet since her fourth birthday. She is allergic to wheat, corn, egg, oat, apple, and tomato. Allergic is not really the right word but it is a word people understand. She is actually intolerant, like some people are allergic to milk and they swell up, have trouble breathing, go to the hospital etc. Some people have lactose intolerance, they get a belly ache from drinking milk. See the difference? Lily is ..... intolerant. Don't know which word or how many words to fill in that blank, it is to the best of my understanding a bunch of enzymes that her body has trouble digesting. Her symptoms were quite severe as a baby and we have been very careful with her diet ever since.

The doctor recommended that we try re-introducing those foods at the age of four just to see, because many kids out grow this thing that she has. So I did, re-introduce. For the last four years I have been cooking every meal for Lily from scratch. She eats four to five times per day. Do you have any idea how many dishes that is? It has been a real challenge trying to figure out something she will eat, something she can eat, and something she should eat. Sometimes I get so frustrated. Like when we go visit family, or go on vacation, or move, it was all a trial. I would mess up, Lily would get sick. Corn and wheat are often hidden in the most unlikely places and I would feed her something and it would contain one of her triggers and she would get sick. No fun.

Now, I had to try to get her to eat stuff. That was so funny. Now I am trying to coerce my kid into eating an Oreo, just try it sweetie. She looks at me like I must be on drugs. The other day I tried to get her to take a bite of scrambled eggs, she acted like I was trying to kill her. She wouldn't taste mac n cheese etc. The girl wants her broccoli and blueberries. Go figure.

I know you are thinking I am so lucky to have a girl who wants to eat fruits and veggies. I know, I am glad both my kids like fruits and veggies, unlike their momma. The problem is that those foods are not portable. When we have to eat dinner at Mandy's volleyball game, a sandwich is a lot easier than messy, perishable fruits and veggies. Did I mention she wont even taste bread.

I have been feeling so bad all this time, because Lily has been missing out on all the good foods. Missing out on all the traditional foods that we all eat and love. She apparently doesn't mind. I am sure that will change once she goes to school next year.

So far, and we have been doing this for 6 weeks, so far Lily has not had any reactions. Now I have no idea what to do with all my time. I fed Lily a peanut butter and banana sandwich for lunch, she helped me make it and after getting past her fear of the bread, she gobbled it down and asked for another. That took a total of 2 minutes. It usually takes me at least an hour to prepare and clean up for just one meal. My head is spinning with the possibilities.

Of course, Lily still wants all the homemade no processed food crap I have been feeding her for her whole life. Poor girl. I have gotten used to eating this way too. I really learned a lot about food and ingredients, I am not sure we will entirely change the way we eat. At least now we have a choice. Cross your fingers that it is really and truly gone for good and not going to bite me in the butt. I still keep waiting for the other shoe to drop.