It can be tricky managing a balanced diet when you have a food allergy, but the additional energy and nutrient requirements during pregnancy certainly increases the pressure. You want to make sure you and your baby are getting the goodness required within the boundaries of your allergy.

If you have a diagnosed food allergy you’ll know that it’s a reaction to a food protein. The body’s immune system produces antibodies in response to the ‘foreign’ ingredient or allergen. This is different to food intolerances as intolerances are reactions to a food that doesn’t involve the immune system. Approximately 160 foods can cause food allergies, but only 8 are responsible for 90% of allergic reactions to foods. These are egg, milk, peanut, soy, fish, seafood, wheat and tree nuts.

Fulfilling your calcium intake requirements may be tricky if you’re avoiding milk and milk products. Choosing soy milk or rice milk with added calcium is one way to increase intake. If a product is fortified it will have calcium listed on the nutrition information panel. Other foods high in calcium are broccoli and tinned fish (ones with bones like salmon). Baked beans, tofu, dates, almonds and bread are also sources of calcium.

Iron intake can be an issue for people with multiple allergies. Red meats, chicken and pork are the best sources of iron. Good sources of iron include fortified foods like Marmite, Vegemite, breakfast cereals and Milo. Again baked beans and tofu as well as dried apricots, raisins, nuts, whole grains, chickpeas, lentils and leafy green vegetables are a source. Vitamin C improves the absorption of iron so a glass of orange juice with a meal, or eating citrus fruit after a meal is beneficial to iron intake.

Eating out and purchasing food away from home can be an issue when you have allergies. Some ideas to make the experience safer and easier are:

• If you’re going out to dinner, phone the restaurant in advance and explain your allergy and ask if they can cater for this. You can go through the menu and work out what you can safely eat. Some restaurants will allow you to take ‘safe’ bread to eat before the meal.
• When you arrive, explain to the wait-staff that you have an allergy and have already spoken to the chef. Or if you haven’t rung ahead ask to speak to the chef.
• Check garnishes, dressings, sauces and desserts. Clarify any foods if you’re unsure.
• Fried food can be risky as fryers often end up with other food residues present, e.g. egg, wheat, fish and milk.

Allergy New Zealand are the biggest support group providing regular information and forming a great support network for allergy sufferers.  The New Zealand Food Safety Authority has a good booklet called ‘Eating Safely when you have Food Allergies’. You can request a copy by ringing 0800 693 721. If you'd like to know more about food allergies and children click here, or read about a mother's experience with food allergies click here.

In most cases it’s still possible to have a nutritious diet during pregnancy while avoiding the foods you’re allergic to and those unsuitable for pregnancy, but it may pay to consult a dietician to ensure your diet is adequate.

Endorsed by our New World Nutritionist  ||   Proudly Partnering with Parents Centre

Thinking about antenatal classes? Parents Centre run excellent Childbirth Education Classes throughout New Zealand. Contact your local centre or go to www.parentscentre.org.nz for details.

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