QuestionHi Sarah,
I have two sons both are milk protein intolerant, one is 5 years and one is 15 months. The 15 month old was on neocate but has stopped drinking it because he has been switched to a cup. We are also moving to the US in April and I don't think we could afford neocate there anyway. I am going to try and get him some Darifree as I believe that is one alternative in the US. He takes a multivitamin/mineral but I am concerned about making sure he has the right amount of fat and protein in his diet. He eats 2 eggs everyday, is this ok as a source of protein and fat when he doesn't have milk. I am also trying to get him to eat an avocado every day. How much fat/calories should he be taking and what foods are high in safe fats for him to eat. He is 13kg and 87cm in length. It is very unlikely he will ever be able to take milk, his brother never managed too, he has aspergers also and some people believe there is a link. Hopefully the fact my 15 month old is intolerant doesn't mean he is prone to autism as well.
Many thanks in advance for your answer.
Maureen
AnswerA general recommendation for infants and toddlers is 40 calories per inch of height, which would be approximately 1,370 calories per day for your son. Around 40% of calories from fat is considered healthy in infants under 2 because they need the extra fat for brain development and physical growth. They also have small stomachs and fat is higher in calories than protein or carbohydrates, helping them get all the calories they need with less food. Eggs are a good source of both protein and fat and are full of other vitamins and minerals. Your son is old enough he can eat any meat (except hot dogs, bratwursts, and sausages, which can be choking hazards). Fish can be a good source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids. We usually recommend soy or rice milk when milk protein cannot be tolerated, both of which are readily available in most grocery stores in the United States. If you are moving to the US, there should be no problem getting fat into the diet! Avocado is a great source of healthy fat; if he likes them, I would continue to encourage the avocado. Some foods, such as cereals, juices, soy milks, and even waffles, have omega-3 fats added, usually from flax or hemp, and may be an option. Health food stores will carry a much wider variety of foods with added omega-3 fatty acids, but regular grocery stores carry some and the options available are much cheaper. Beans and legumes also contain some healthy fats. Olives will be good when he is older, but you can add olive oil to his diet now. Peanut butter will be a good choice after the age of 2 (peanut butter can also be a choking hazard because it is hard to swallow). You may also want to look for a multivitamin with added DHA if you are concerned about him getting enough healthy fat into this diet.
I hope that answers your questions. I wish you the best of luck with both of your sons' health and with your move. I encourage you to spend some time just wandering through local grocery stores to see what is available once you get settled.
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