Food allergy and intolerances in children

Differentiating between a food allergy and an food intolerance can be challenging.

We have dietitians specialised in the management of food intolerance and food allergies in children. Ensuring a child has suitable nutritional intake during any dietary elimination trial is crucial to ensure growth and development are not impacted on.

The difference between food allergy and food intolerance

Food allergy: Allergy testing done under the guidance of an allergist can only determine an immune response reaction (IgE-mediated allergy) and therefore negative allergy tests may not necessarily mean there is no food intolerance present. Our dietitians can determine whether a food intolerance might exist through elimination dietary trials and determine your child’s threshold to these foods with food challenges.

It is important that any elimination diet is done under the guide of a dietitian to ensure there are no nutrient deficiencies during food restriction (e.g. calcium with a dairy allergy). If your child has a diagnosed food allergy (through positive allergy tests) then our dietitians can ensure their diet is nutritionally adequate and can provide you strategies on avoiding allergens to limit the risk of accidental exposure. Our dietitians also have expertise with coeliac disease and eosinophilic oesophagitis.

Food intolerance: It is possible to have an intolerance to nearly any food. Our dietitians can guide you and your child through the food intolerance maze providing you with tips to successfully completing dietary elimination trials and provide your child with individualised food challenges. We have expertise in undertaking low FODMAP and low chemical elimination diets.

How we can help

Our dietitians can guide you through required dietary trials and provide edcuation on how to avoid known allergens. Whether they have an allergy or intolerance, we can also assist with optimising their nutritional intake

Our team of experienced dietitians use the latest scientifically proven strategies

We are known for our expertise in gastrointestinal (gut / bowel) nutrition and every member of our team has their own additional, specialty areas of nutritional expertise.

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