Kathyk

Well, this is purely anecdotal, but I know more men who have food allergies than women. My DH is allergic to peanuts and eggs (and many other non-food things). He accidentally ate something with peanuts at a festival a few years ago (it was in the sauce), and it was very scary. his egg allergy isn't as severe. He has been known to eat a creme brulee with no reaction whatsoever. he can have eggs if they are thoroughly cooked and if it is not the primary ingredient (I.e. he can't have scrambled eggs). Oh, he is also allergic to some tree nuts. My nephew is allergic to milk. When my sister introduced a dairy product to him when he was a baby, there was projectile vomiting and his body was covered in hives. My poor sister has to check ingredients for any milk product in anything he eats - including casein and whey. I can only think of opne woman that I know off the top of my head who has food allergies. She is allergic to everything: wheat, eggs, nuts, peanuts, milk, most meats, corn, the list goes on. Once she almost died from eating a Triscuit. She has to bring her own food with her wherever she goes.

Hmmm... My daughter (now 7 months) was sleeping through the night at 6 weeks. Does this mean I can look forward to her never wanting to eat at McDonald's and that she will be eager to complete her schoolwork? That would be nice. Since my daughter primarily eats breastmilk, I really can't speak from my own parenting experience on this topic, but I have observed my sister and my sisters in law and their children's eating habits. My sister never cooks separate meals for her children (2 boys, 5 and 3). They always eat what she and her DH are eating. One of her sons (5 y.o.) has a milk allergy, so if she is making something with cheese or butter, she will keep a portion separate for him that doesn't consume the milk products. They don't eat haute cuisine, it is usually pork chops, cous cous, and steamed carrots (not every night, but that would be a sample menu). When I eat with their family, the boys never complain about the food. They know that they have to eat at least a bite of everything on the plate before they can leave the table (usually they eat more than a bite). They rarely eat fast food, but on occasion, my sister will stop off at Burger King in a pinch (maybe once a month or every two months). My sisters in law tend to cater to what their kids like - which is basiocally chicken nuggets and mac-n-cheese. When my dd gets past breastmilk, rice cereal, and strained veggies, I hope to be more like my sister and teach my child to appreciate different foods without making junk food into the forbidden fruit. --Kathy