To complete my previous article, I decided today to talk about the introduction of allergens in practice. A quick reminder: the new recommendations recommend starting theintroduction of allergens at the time of food diversification, i .e. between 4 and 6 months, during a period called the " tolerance window" . Each food can potentially trigger an allergy in a child, however 14 allergens, the most frequent ones, must be declared on food packaging.
Introducing them
I recommend that youintroduce each allergen separately, first in small quantities to validate tolerance, reintroducing them regularly, and rather at lunchtime in order to observe possible reactions. Remain vigilant, if there is an allergic reaction, the signs can appear from a few minutes to about 2 hours after the meal. The most frequent reactions are cutaneous (red patches, hives, eczema), digestive (vomiting, diarrhoea) and respiratory (asthma, swelling of the throat, difficulty breathing).
Milk
As soon as an infant milk based on cow's milk is introduced, your child will be exposed to this allergen. When breastfeeding and at the time of dietary diversification, milk can be introduced in the form of dairy products such as yoghurt, fromage blanc, Petit Suisse and faisselle. These dairy products should preferably be offered plain, whole milk and without added sugar. Cheese, which should be offered as pasteurised milk to younger children, and animal fats such as butter or cream also contain milk proteins.
Gluten
Gluten is a protein found in cereals such as wheat, rye andbarley. Gluten can be introduced with gluten-containing infant flours or cereals from 4 months. Thereafter, in gradual order and depending on your child's chewing abilities, you can offer FloralineÂź, fine semolina, breadcrumbs, small or large pasta (alphabet, star, pearl, large elbow, cannelloni), a bread quignon, low-sugar biscuits, cracotte, muffins, clafoutis, crĂȘpes, etc. Some of these preparations also contain milk
Nuts or oleaginous fruits
Parmi les fruits olĂ©agineux, on compte lâamande, la noix, la noisette, la noix de cajou, la noix de Macadamia, la pistache, le pignon⊠Pour des raisons sĂ©curitaires, ces aliments ronds, petits et durs ne sont pas Ă introduire tels quels mais plutĂŽt en poudre ou en purĂ©e non sucrĂ©e et non salĂ©e. Il convient dâintĂ©grer chaque fruit Ă coque sĂ©parĂ©ment Ă raison dâÂœ Ă 1 cuillĂšre Ă cafĂ© de poudre ou de purĂ©e dans les compotes, dans les plats (purĂ©es, muffins, pancakesâŠ) ou sur un transporteur. Certaines solutions existent pour faciliter lâintroduction comme les berlingots Dalipo.
Peanuts
The peanut, or simply peanut, is a member of the legume family, like lentils or kidney beans, and not the nuts or oilseeds mentioned above. Like nuts, it is advisable to introduce œ to 1 teaspoon of no-sugar-added powder or puree in compotes, in dishes or on a carrier.
Sesame
Sesame can be offered to baby in the form of a sesame puree called 'tahini' or 'tahini' at a rate ofœ to 1 teaspoon in 'sweet' or 'savoury' preparations, such as hummus.
Molluscs and crustaceans
These seafood products should always be fresh and well cooked for health reasons in order to be offered to baby in the recommended portions (10 g up to one year, 20 g up to 2 years, 30 g up to 3 years, etc.). Among the molluscs and crustaceans, you can give baby: pink or grey shrimp, mussels, scallops, crab, lobster, crayfish... The lucky ones!
The egg
As with the above foods, the egg should be fresh and well cooked to be given to baby and in the correct portions. The yolk and white can now be offered at the same time as introducing meat products, once or twice a week. To introduce eggs easily, you can cook pancakes (and offer them in strips), waffles, muffins as part of the EMR... or simply as a mixed hard-boiled egg or mixed omelette during a classic diversification.
Fish
Fish is also a health risk food, so freshness and thorough cooking are essential. It is recommended that you offer them to your baby twice a week, alternating between lean fish and fatty fish, such as sardines and mackerel (canned in their natural state), salmon, etc.
Mustard
When simmering a veal blanquette or beef with carrots, don't hesitate to add a spoonful of DijonÂź mustard, for example, to introduce this allergen.
Celery
Whether it is aroot or a stalk, celery can be used to enhance baby's purées. In both cases, mix it with the other vegetables, it flavours the preparations.
Lupin
Like peanuts, lupines are part of the legume family and can be introduced in the form of flour to replace a starch at mealtime.
Exclusion for soya and sulphites
Soy products, such as tofu for example, are not recommended before the age of 3 because they contain isoflavones, potential endocrine disruptors. A precautionary principle therefore applies according to the latest ANSES recommendations of June 2019. Sulphites, which are mainly found in wine, will be introduced at a later date.
You now have all the information you need to introduce allergens safely and calmly. The important thing is to introduce them in small quantities, from the tolerance window between 4 and 6 months, but above all regularly.
Dietician - Nutritionist specialising in paediatrics
