food allergy & intolerance in babies & children | Paediatric Dietitian
Helping you feel confident about what your child can eat — and making sure they’re getting the nutrition they need
Food allergies and intolerances can make everyday eating feel complicated, especially when you’re trying to make sure your child is getting everything they need to grow and thrive.
You may be worried about what foods are safe, struggling to understand food labels, concerned that your child is missing out on important nutrients, or simply feeling overwhelmed by all the conflicting advice available online. As a paediatric dietitian, I can help you understand your child’s dietary needs and make practical changes that work for your family.
Personalised, evidence-based advice. No unnecessary restrictions.
food allergy vs food intolerance - what’s the difference?
Food allergy and food intolerance are often confused, but they are not the same thing.
A food allergy involves the immune system and can cause reactions ranging from mild symptoms to potentially serious allergic reactions.
A food intolerance is different and may cause symptoms such as bloating, abdominal discomfort, diarrhoea or other digestive symptoms.
It's important to understand what you're dealing with before making significant changes to your child's diet.
If you suspect your child has a food allergy, I can provide dietetic support alongside appropriate medical assessment. A dietitian does not diagnose food allergies, but can help you manage the nutritional and practical aspects of an allergy once it has been identified, and can guide you towards appropriate medical support where needed.
For suspected food intolerances, I can help you look at your child's symptoms and dietary history and, where appropriate, support a structured dietary approach rather than unnecessarily removing large numbers of foods.
Does any of this sound familiar?
Managing a food allergy or intolerance can affect much more than mealtimes.
You may be wondering:
is my child getting enough nutrients?
what can I give them instead of the foods they need to avoid?
how do I know which foods are safe?
how do I read food labels and identify allergens?
will avoiding so many foods affect their growth?
what should I do if my child is refusing their safe foods?
how can I make sure they still have a varied and enjoyable diet?
are we avoiding foods unnecessarily?
how can I manage their allergy or intolerance at nursery, school, parties and when eating out?
You don't have to work it all out on your own. I can help.
Ready to talk?
Book your free discovery call and we’ll discuss your child’s needs and decide whether dietetic support is right for you.
How can I help?
Together we can:
understand your child’s dietary needs
make sure they’re getting enough nutrition to support healthy growth and development
find suitable and enjoyable food alternatives
feel more confident reading food labels and identifying allergens
manage necessary food exclusions while avoiding unnecessary restrictions
manage your child’s dietary needs at nursery, school, parties, holidays and when eating out
With the right support, managing your child's dietary restrictions can become much more straightforward.
Who can I support?
I provide paediatric dietetic support for babies and children with dietary restrictions related to:
Cow's milk allergy
Egg allergy
Peanut and tree nut allergies
Wheat allergy
Soya allergy
Multiple food allergies
Food intolerances and suspected food intolerances
Pollen food syndrome / oral allergy syndrome
Multiple food exclusions
Dietary restrictions affecting nutritional intake
Food allergy alongside fussy or selective eating
Concerns about growth or nutrition following food exclusion
FAQs
Can a dietitian diagnose a food allergy?
1
No. Food allergy diagnosis should be carried out by an appropriately qualified medical professional. As a dietitian, I can support you with the nutritional and practical management of a diagnosed allergy and work alongside your child's wider healthcare team. I can also advise when further medical assessment may be needed to diagnose a food allergy.
Yes. We can look at your child's dietary history, symptoms and current diet and discuss whether a dietary approach may be appropriate. I can also advise when further medical assessment may be needed.
Can you help if we're not sure whether my child has an intolerance?
2
Will my child need to cut out lots of foods?
3
Not necessarily. From personal experience of managing food restrictions, I understand how difficult multiple food exclusions can be. My approach is to avoid unnecessary dietary restriction wherever possible. If foods do need to be excluded, we'll focus on ensuring your child's diet remains nutritionally adequate and as varied as possible.
Can you help with food labels?
4
Absolutely. Understanding food labels can be one of the most difficult parts of managing a food allergy. I can help you become more confident identifying allergens and choosing suitable products.
Can you help with nursery and school?
5
Yes. We can discuss practical strategies for managing your child's dietary needs outside the home, including communicating their requirements and making sure you feel prepared for everyday situations.
Can you help if my child is a fussy eater?
6
That's something we can take into consideration. If your child has both food allergies and selective eating, we'll look at their diet as a whole and work towards improving nutritional variety without adding unnecessary pressure around food.
Ready to feel more confident about your child's diet?
Book your free discovery call and let's talk about what's going on, what you're worried about and how I may be able to help.