One of the first posts I wrote for mamacino was Our Food Story.
It was our experience with food intolerance that actually inspired me to start mamacino in the first place. The more I talked to people about the wheat free, dairy free recipes I came up with for my kids, the more people shared their own food stories and asked me for my recipes and ideas. Because the journey never really ends, I thought I would revisit this story and let you know how it’s evolving for us.
This week, I took Francesca, my six year old daughter to see an Holistic GP…your experience, like mine, may have led you to believe that they don’t exist, but we tracked one down and though it took a car, a ferry and a bus ride to reach her, it was well worth the effort.
Gorgeous Girl…
Francesca has lived with a dairy, soy, wheat, fish and nut intolerance all her life. Although she has improved so much in the last year or two, I still, in my heart, feel she is not right when it comes to all things food. We have relaxed her diet, restricted it and relaxed it again. Although she is gorgeous and clever and looks pretty healthy, she suffers with tummy upsets, bloating, nasty trips to the loo and dry, rashy skin. It has come to the point where I feel I need some more information to work with. Am I eliminating foods unnecessarily? Is she missing out on vital nutrients? Am I affecting her health in the long term? I feel lost and I need some help.
It was refreshing beyond words to speak to a medical practitioner that listened to my concerns and acknowledged them.
And so, today, Francesca, my Mum and I drove up to Melbourne to have some tests done. Francesca was very brave and grown up about the whole ordeal. If you think it’s difficult to convince a child to sit still for a blood test, try catching their wee in a small jar in the pitch black! A wee test that is light sensitive – a mother/daughter bonding experience for sure!
While we wait for our results we will be returning to our wheat, dairy, soy and nut free diet (luckily Frankie doesn’t like fish anyway!) and we look forward to developing an action plan with our new doctor. An action plan that supports Frankie’s well being and sets her up for a healthy start in life.
I would love to hear about your own journey with food. Do you manage intolerances in your family too? How have you found support on your journey?
Happy Eating!
mamacino x
we found out this year my daughter was gluten intolerant – she had complained of stomach aches and feeling tired and miserable for so long…. it took a naturopath to set us on the right path…. she has improved immensely…
It’s such a relief to have an answer, isn’t it? I’d say the great majority of us have some intolerance to gluten…I know I do!
Ours has been a tricky journey too and it is challenging/ challenged me to learn more and more about nutrition. At the end of the day, you can feel pretty alone on this journey. Not to mention a bit odd when you try to explain what you need to avoid. You’re not alone Kristin, I hope these tests help you help Francesca feel better.
I agree Lisa, you can feel a bit like the ‘bad cop’ not letting your kids eat certain things when others don’t really understand or see the results of it. We will just have to support each other!
I had tons of intolerances when I grew up, then suddenly around the time I left for University it disappeared, and then mr. astma turned up to replace it. Health is a mystery. Keep on searching for answers! Looking forward to following your journey! /Louisa
Thanks Louisa – you are right, sometimes health is a mystery! We can only do our best, can’t we? And…try not to get too bogged down by it all!
I’ve been fortunate enough not to suffer from more than a bit of a rumble if I overdo the wheat and my son has zero. I’m really sorry she has suffered through this and please let us know what the tests bring back.
Thanks Kate, will be sure to let you know x
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