Why Wont My Child Eat

Disclaimer
The information contained in this book is for informational and entertainment purposes only. I am not a
doctor or healthcare professional. Any health advice that I give is my opinion based on my general
experience and knowledge, but not specific to you. Always seek the advice of your own health
professionals before acting on something that I have published or recommended. By reading this book,
you agree that my company and myself are not responsible for your health or the health of your
dependents.
Any statements or claims about the possible health benefits conferred by any foods or supplements have
not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration and are therefore not intended to diagnose, treat,
cure or prevent any disease.
Please note that although many of the outbound links here and on my website are purely for informational
purposes, I do earn a small commission on many such links including links to books and products, or may
have a business relationship with the companies which provide them. My thoughts and opinions are my
own and not of those of any sponsor or advertiser.
Copyright © 2016, Mary Voogt, Just Take A Bite, and http://justtakeabite.com
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form, except brief excerpts for the
purpose of review, without written permission of the author.
Permission can be requested by sending an e-mail to: mary@justtakeabite.com
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Contents
Chapter 1: Our Story .................................................................................................................. 4
Chapter 2: Real Food ................................................................................................................10
Chapter 3: Gut Healing .............................................................................................................12
Chapter 4: How to Observe Your Child for Reactions................................................................15
Chapter 5: Feeding Infants ........................................................................................................20
Chapter 6: Feeding Toddlers.....................................................................................................25
Chapter 7: Feeding Children .....................................................................................................32
Chapter 8: Health Tips for The Whole Family ............................................................................35
Chapter 9: Cooking Tips ...........................................................................................................37
Chapter 10: Recipes .................................................................................................................39
Resources.................................................................................................................................60
About The Author ......................................................................................................................62
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Chapter 1: Our Story
Before I became a mom I knew raising kids would be challenging. I didn’t know how to
change a diaper. I didn’t know what to do for a fever. I had a big learning curve. But the
one thing I never thought would be a struggle was feeding my children. I love to cook
and eat healthy.
Potty training? Yikes! Food? I’ve got this!
Child #1
Then my daughter was born. Breastfeeding was a struggle at first. It was painful. She
didn’t latch well (which we now know was likely due to a lip and tongue tie). But we got it
going…and going….and going. She would nurse for 1 – 1 1/2 hours at a time. It pretty
much consumed my day (thank goodness she was my first!). Until she started refusing
to nurse during the day at 11 months. And eventually weaned completely at 17 months.
As she started solid foods at six months we encountered more challenges. She
would hold a bite of food in her mouth for a half hour or more without chewing. She
gagged on foods of certain textures. Although she wasn't a picky eater, she
really struggled with the chewing/swallowing part. She was still eating quite a bit of
pureed food at age two (with me feeding it to her). And there could not be a hint of spice
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or strong flavor in her food. Nothing crunchy (no raw fruits or vegetables until she was at
least three). Nothing too thick or mushy. She had oral sensory processing disorder
(SPD). But I had no idea what that was, what to do about it or why she had it.
Meal times became more and more stressful as it would take an hour to get through a
piece of toast. I had to feed her almost every bite until she was about four years old.
And still fed her at times until age six.
At age three we began working with a speech therapist for reflex integration in both her
mouth and her whole body. She made great progress over the course of two years of
therapy.
We had her tested for allergies at age five to find she had severe environmental
allergies (especially dust and mold) that were causing her to breathe through her mouth.
Mouth breathing can have a significant impact on the whole body, including lack of
clean oxygen, poor sleep, adrenal fatigue, ADD tendencies, narrowing of the jaw...and
chewing problems. Environmental allergies can even be the cause of reflux! My
daughter often complains of throat problems from her allergies.
Now at almost eight years old she is my best eater in terms of taste and variety of food
(though still no tolerance for a hint of spice). But she is still my slowest eater and is
going through orthodontics to widen her jaw and airway to allow her to breathe and eat
better.
Child #2
When my oldest was three my son was born. He nursed very well. But around age
two he became a picky eater and developed severe eczema. We discovered he had a
long list of food allergies.
While his gut was a mess his diet became so limited. We had to cut a lot out. Plus he no
longer would eat the healthy foods he had once enjoyed. Put one piece of carrot on his
plate and he would literally run screaming from the table. Food meant pain to him.
It took a lot of work to improve his gut and get him to eat more food. But we were
persistent. We strictly avoided all foods that caused any degree of reactions to allow his
gut time to recover. Over time we saw a significant improvement in his behavior and
eating. Many of his allergies were eliminated.
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Around age four he started having small allergy flairs again. How did we know? He'd get
an upset tummy and pick at his food. He got full after two bites. The constant meltdowns
and itching started too. As soon as he started acting picky I assessed his diet and used
my feeding tricks to get him back on track.
That worked for a while until the reactions kept going and getting worse (including daily
stomach aches, digestive problems, fevers, eczema and mood swings). I couldn't
pinpoint a particular food anymore. We had him re-tested for allergies only to find he
now has severe allergies (possibly anaphylactic) to many foods including dairy and
nuts. We have learned first-hand how important it is to continue the feeding and healing
strategies even after seeing improvement. Else things can get worse again.
Unfortunately during the time when my son's allergies were getting worse my time and
energy were consumed with another health crisis of the newest member of the family.
Child #3
Along came baby sister when my son was three. Surely this child will be easier to feed,
right? Not exactly.
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From the day my youngest daughter was born she struggled with nursing. She would
only nurse for a few minutes at a time. So feedings were every 45 minutes to an hour,
even at night. She also made a clicking sound when she nursed.
For the first time I started to read about tongue ties. I had her evaluated by the speech
therapist and the pediatrician. They both advised to leave it alone as long as she was
eating ok and growing well. So we did.
At one month old we cut out dairy because she was having very strong reactions to it.
She had about twenty dirty diapers a day, a blistered bottom and some blood in her
stools. After eliminating dairy it stopped almost immediately and she was a happy,
chubby baby.
Around five months old she took a turn for the worse. She started refusing to nurse. She
always seemed to be in pain. Her body was rigid and often made jerking movements
when I tried to feed her. They seemed like little seizures with her head and body
involuntarily shaking, that terrified me. Knowing that tongue ties can "tie" the whole
body, making it rigid, and cause refusal to nurse we had her tongue and lip ties clipped.
What we didn't know was that she was reacting to coconut/palm/dates (any food from a
palm tree) and a few other foods.
The combination of a sudden onset of food allergies (unbeknownst to us) and having a
tongue tie clipped was almost more than we could handle. I had no idea she was
reacting to coconut. And I was consuming a lot of it. I thought her refusal to nurse was
purely from the tongue tie and recovery. It took a long time for her to recover from the
procedure and to figure out the foods that were bothering her. I spent many days and
nights worried and in tears, just praying she would nurse a little and that she was getting
enough nourishment. She would just scream in pain every time I tried to feed her. I was
her only source of nourishment. Yet I was also the source of her pain. And I didn't know
why.
She barely ate. She was dehydrated. She didn’t gain any weight for five months.
Through my own trial and error I finally figured out the problem foods. After a couple
months my daughter was just starting to eat some solids and feel better. I had her
tested for allergies which verified my suspicion of a strong coconut allergy. But around
nine months old we had another setback and more food reactions. The refusal to eat,
body jerking, etc. all returned. I thought her tongue tie had reattached. We consulted
with the dentist and had her ties clipped again. But the struggles still remained.
It was through careful observation and trial and error that I came up with her long list of
new food restrictions. It was also through observation that I realized her tongue was not
simply tied, it was swollen from allergic reactions. No wonder she couldn't nurse much!
She could barely move her tongue! Add that on top of stomach pain, reflux and
recovering from mouth surgery. This was our lowest point and I praise God for
sustaining her through it.
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We weathered that storm and were starting to finally make progress again. She was
nursing once more but now would not eat any solid food. But I needed some answers. I
knew there had to be a reason for all of it. A child doesn't just all of a sudden start
reacting to everything she's eating. I looked back through the dates of tongue tie
procedures, well-child check-ups and reactions. It was then that I connected the dots
and realized my daughter's allergic reactions were her body's response to vaccines.
About a week after she received a vaccine at both five months and nine months old is
when she started the screaming, not eating, severe tongue swelling and convulsive
behavior.
The vaccines caused an autoimmune response in her body that made her react to any
of the foods she and I were eating regularly at the time the shot was given. So all of our
healthy food choices now cause her pain.
It has been a year since that first reaction. I am thankful she has made some great
progress. We are working on healing for her. Some days are still a challenge with
feeding. But on the whole she is a smart, happy and healthy little girl. I am truly amazed
at how well she can eat now.
Needless to say I have learned a lot about eating challenges, allergies, tongue and lip
ties, mouth breathing, oral SPD and feeding tactics over the last eight years. This led
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me to develop a passion of feeding nourishing food to kids that struggle with eating
challenges of some kind.
I have taken what I've learned to create this resource for other parents that need advice,
recipes and support through the hard days of dealing with children that won’t or can’t
eat well. After three kids with unique feeding challenges I’ve dealt with just about
everything. I have learned how to get my kids to take a bite without it being a struggle.
And I’m here to help you do the same.
I had many years of my own struggles with food as well. From restricted eating to trying
all sorts of diets to improve my health to finally just eating what I needed and
overcoming OCD and infertility.
Are you ready to end the picky eating, the worry over your child's health, the tummy
aches and the daily battles, the meltdowns and tantrums and the poor sleep? Whether
you're nursing an infant or struggling to feed your ten year old help is on the way.
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Chapter 2: Real Food
Before we get to the details about how to get your child to eat I need to take a moment
to talk about real food.
When I say "feed your child" I am not referring to a bowl of cereal for breakfast, mac 'n'
cheese from a box for lunch and frozen chicken nuggets for dinner. That is not food and
will not assist your child on their healing journey.
When I refer to food I am talking about whole, unprocessed food that will give your child
nourishment. That includes fruits, vegetables, pastured dairy, meats and eggs,
unprocessed grains, seeds and nuts and plenty of healthy fat (butter, lard, tallow,
coconut oil, avocado, extra virgin olive oil).
A child needs a balance of all of these (the ones they tolerate) to thrive. Yes, they need
red meat for vitamins and iron. Yes, they need lots of fat for nutrient absorption and
brain development. Yes, they need plenty of vegetables (some cooked, some raw as
tolerated) for vitamins and minerals. A healthy dose of unrefined sea salt is also
important on a daily basis for trace minerals and electrolyte balance. Removing any of
these foods from your child's diet without medical necessity can deprive them of much-
needed nutrients.
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If you are new to real food I suggest reading Nourishing Traditions to get a better
understanding of what really is and isn't healthy. I also have a list of books and sites in
the resource section to help you get started. It doesn't have to be complicated. Simply
eat foods that don't come from a box and don't have an ingredient list. Just pure, whole,
real food. A good rule of thumb is to shop for your food on the perimeter of the grocery
store instead of the inner aisles.
You will have to spend a little more time in the kitchen if you are used to eating
processed food. But it is time very well spent! The health and development of your child
is worth every ounce of effort. You can easily make homemade versions of your favorite
foods. Your children can help!
Start thinking of food as nourishment, fuel and an investment in your health. Instead of
feeling like taking away processed food is deprivation, look at it in a new light. You are
showing great love and doing your child a favor by removing the junk and giving their
bodies what is needed to feel their best. Keep it simple. Now let's get ready to eat!
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Chapter 3: Gut Healing
I also want to address the topic of gut healing since it is something so many parents ask
about. If you find that your child does have allergies, oral aversions or any other
ongoing eating challenge it most likely stems from a problem in the gut.
The full details of gut healing are outside the scope of this book but here are some basic
principles that everyone can follow.
1. Consume bone broth.

Broth is one of the most healing foods you'll find. It can be made from the
bones/skin/meat of any meat, fish or fowl. It is good to consume broth daily. It can be
served plain as a drink. Or you can use it for cooking vegetables, making soup or
incorporated into a variety of meals. See the recipe section and the blog for ideas.
Most bone broth is cooked for twenty four hours. But the longer it is cooked the more
histamine develops. Watch to see how your child reacts when consuming broth. If the
long-cooked broth seems problematic try using broth only cooked for three to four
hours. This still has great healing benefits but is gentler for those with allergies.
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2. Consume collagen and gelatin.
One of the components of broth that makes it so healing is gelatin. So it goes without
saying that consuming gelatin is beneficial for those with allergies and gut issues.
Use quality grass-fed gelatin. It is packed with amino acids and easy-to-digest protein.
There are two varieties to choose from. Gelatin causes food to gel. It can be used for
homemade gummies and Jell-O and added to broth that does not gel much. Collagen
hydrolysate is processed a bit differently so that it does not cause food to gel. The
proteins are broken down into smaller pieces and are easier to digest, especially for
anyone with gut issues. Collagen easily dissolves in cold liquids and can be added to
smoothies, water, milk, applesauce or even ice cream.
Whether using gelatin or collagen start with a teaspoon a day. Gradually increase the
dose as tolerated, up to a couple tablespoons daily for children. Adults can consume up
to three or four tablespoons a day.
3. Watch the grains and starches.

Grains and starches tend to be some of the most problematic foods when it comes to
gut function. My son has quite a few allergies, many of them are grains and starches!
He can't have gluten-containing grains, rice, oats, corn or potatoes.
Some children will benefit from eating gluten free or grain free. There are healing
protocols outlined in the Gut and Psychology Syndrome (GAPS) diet, the Specific
Carbohydrate Diet (SCD) and the Autoimmune Paleo (AIP) diet.
Watch to see how your child reacts to grains and starches. A good first step is to
eliminate gluten. If that is not enough it may be helpful to eliminate all grains temporarily
while healing.
Remember to do what works for your child. Each of these diets has good information
and theories. But everyone is different and reacts differently. Make sure you are
observing as you implement changes. And remember that the restrictions are
temporary.
Also, be sure not to put your child on a low carbohydrate diet. Children need plenty of
carbohydrates for energy and proper growth. Foods that contain resistant starch work
well for many.
4. Go easy on raw food and fiber.

An inflamed gut can't digest much raw food or high amounts of fiber. Feed your child
mostly well-cooked vegetables and foods that contain soluble fiber instead of insoluble
fiber.
This includes limiting consumption of raw fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds and whole
grains.
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5. Use probiotics.
The use of probiotics is a must for repopulating the gut with good bacteria. Start with a
very low dose (just a tiny pinch) and see how your child reacts. Gradually increase as
tolerated until you reach the recommended dose on the label or until you see health
improvements. This can be a very slow process depending on reactions.
It took me about six months to work up to taking probiotics daily. And I wasn't even at a
full dose at that point. Be sure to go slowly. It is also helpful to periodically switch brands
to get a variety of bacteria strains.
6. Consume fermented foods.

Fermented foods also contain probiotics and aid in digestion and healing. A simple food
to make and consume is sauerkraut. I make it with just cabbage, unrefined sea salt and
water. Consuming a spoonful of the sauerkraut or even just the juice with each meal
can be helpful for digestion.
Other common fermented foods include yogurt, dairy kefir, water kefir and sour cream.
Fermented fruit drinks are also easy to make and taste great. A quick search will
provide many recipes.
7. Completely eliminate problem foods.

If you are serious about healing the gut and getting your child back to full health it is
important to completely eliminate all problematic foods. It is tempting to just limit them or
only serve small portions. But that will not work. The body needs a complete break from
the offending foods. Giving small amounts is liking picking at a cut. It will never fully
heal.
If you actively work on healing you will be able to add most foods back into the diet at
some point. But give the body a break while the healing work is in progress. Leave the
problem foods out for a minimum of six months. A year is better.
I made the mistake of just limiting consumption of lesser allergens (per our allergist's
suggestion). It resulted in more severe allergies for my son. But after completely
removing the offending foods for a year we were able to add them back in without
problems.
8. Use a rotation diet.

This is probably the hardest healing strategy for most people to implement. And for
good reason. It's not that easy. But it is so important.
In a rotation diet you consume foods in a four day rotation. The main benefit is to
prevent your child from developing more allergies. I will explain a rotation diet in more
detail in chapter 9.
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Chapter 4: How to Observe Your Child for Reactions
If you are reading this book you are likely at least suspicious that something is not right
with your child's health or eating habits. Maybe they are super picky or struggling to gain
weight or are constantly scratching. Maybe they have already been diagnosed with oral
SPD or allergies. If that is the case you are in the right place!
Even if you consider your child's health to be great you may be overlooking some key
signs that things aren't as good as they seem.
Just how do you know if your child is reacting to certain foods or possibly has allergies?
Or maybe the eating challenges are related to oral aversions? What about tongue ties?
I'm going to explain it all for you. You might be surprised by just how much is impacted
by the food you choose.
Many of the daily struggles that people think are normal or just the way their child is
may in fact be reactions to food or a sign of missing nutrients. Don't just accept the
problems or jump to medications. Get to the root of the problem.
As a parent you have the important job of observing your child and connecting the dots.
It takes time to put the pieces together. But once you do you can spot a reaction almost
immediately, stop it in its tracks and get your child back to eating well and feeling their
best.
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Here is a list of reactions to watch for in your child. Take a few weeks, make notes, see
if a few or many of them apply.
Physical reactions (digestive/skin/body):

 always full
 refusal to eat/won't eat particular food groups like meat or vegetables
 tummy ache
 picky eater
 gags on food
 frequent hiccups
 loose bowels, constipation or alternating between the two
 bad breath and/or body odor
 ear wax build up
 dark rings under eyes
 white/coated tongue
 brittle nails
 hair falling out easily and/or thin hair
 eczema/itching/hives/rash
 nausea/vomiting
 reflux/spit up
 swollen tongue/lips/face/throat
 baby acne, cradle cap
 fussy baby/colic
 strong/foul smelling urine and/or bowel movements
 bed wetting
 frequent urination/large amounts of urine or lack of urine (dehydration)
Mental/Neurological reactions:
 ADD/ADHD symptoms/ hyperactivity
 inability to focus
 extreme reactions/meltdowns over small things/tantrums
 constantly fussy baby
 always shouting
 can't hear well/asking "what?" constantly
 violent behavior
 can't sleep/can't settle down/frequent waking
 lack of energy
Of course any child can have any of these symptoms on occasion. Nobody has perfect
health. But none of these should be considered normal behavior on a regular basis.
There is a reason for it.
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There are three types of allergic reactions.
1. A severe/anaphylactic allergic reaction such as swelling of the throat, nose or

tongue, constant vomiting or trouble breathing. A severe reaction requires immediate
medical attention.
2. A non-severe IgE allergic reaction. This is what is commonly known as an allergy
and causes an immediate reaction (a few minutes to a few hours).
3. An IgG allergic reaction (known as latent allergies, commonly referred to as
sensitivities). This can happen anywhere from hours to days after the food is
consumed. Although not life threatening they do cause an immune response and the
reactions can still be significant.
All three impact your child's health and require treatment and gut healing.
Some reactions such as swelling, gas, hiccups and reflux can happen soon after a
problematic food is consumed. Others like a diaper rash or eczema may occur after a
longer, more repeated exposure. They may also be secondary responses as a result of
ongoing food issues and poor digestion This can include neurological issues and
vitamin and mineral deficiencies. It is good to keep observing your child over time to
take note of all of them. In the same way you can watch for improvement and
disappearance of reactions after a time of healing.
Remember to always seek immediate medical attention if your child has severe
reactions such as swelling or trouble breathing. And talk to your doctor right away if
multiple reactions occur at the same time.
If your child seems picky they are likely reacting to something they are eating and truly
do not feel well. I don't know about you, but I don't have my full appetite if my stomach
hurts! This may even lead to a fear of eating and associating food with pain. Children
are very good at listening to their bodies. If they keep refusing the same food over and
over it might be the one causing problems.
Picky eating is also a sign of poor gut health. This causes an inability to digest food
properly, leading to digestive upset and vitamin and mineral deficiencies. The
deficiencies in turn cause more health problems on top of failure to gain weight and
grow properly.
In addition, lack of eating leads to blood sugar imbalances. Low blood sugar causes
some of the extreme mood swings and high and low behavior. If my son hasn't eaten in
a while or has only had something sweet for a while he will completely lose it over minor
things. Give him two bites of cheese and he's like a totally different person. It becomes
a downward spiral that, if left untreated, can lead to long term health problems. I am
going to help you stop this behavior in its tracks.
The first step is observing your child for reactions. Keeping a food and reaction journal
can be very helpful for this process. Take a couple weeks to watch closely. Take notes.
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Keep the reaction list handy and write down any time you notice them and what your
child has been eating. Then see if you can pinpoint any associations between certain
foods and the reactions. Eliminate the foods you notice causing problems.
Next get your child tested for allergies. You can do skin prick testing (tests for IgE
allergies) or blood tests (can be done for IgE allergies or IgG allergies (sensitivities)).
Many people want to skip this step due to finances, burden on the child, etc. But it really
is an important step.
When I first had my son tested for allergies he was two years old with little cuts all over
his legs from scratching. I assumed he'd be diagnosed with a dairy, nut or wheat allergy.
Instead we ended up with a list of about fifteen allergies (including the ones I expected)!
I had no idea you could even be allergic to rice, turkey, grapes and pears. But my son
was. I saved us a lot of time and frustration by getting him tested and taking some of the
guess work out.
These days kids are allergic to so many more foods than just the common allergens. So
it is very helpful to do the testing. If an allergy shows up on a test it is important to
remove the food completely, even if it is not a strong reaction.
My son's IgE rice allergy went away after a year of healing work. But he still reacts to it
(IgG response). So the observation component is so important.
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Another great tool for discovering possible root problems is hair tissue mineral analysis
(HTMA). This shows exactly where your child is lacking in certain minerals and gives
you a detailed plan on how to supplement and modify diet to compensate.
A combination of allergy testing (both IgE and IgG) and HTMA will give you the best
picture of the problems and the solutions.
After a year of complete elimination of problematic foods you should do the testing
again. Then try reintroducing the foods that are no longer testing positive one at a time
in small quantities. Start the observation process again to assess how your child is
handling them. Never try to reintroduce foods that cause an anaphylactic reaction
without the consent of your child's doctor.
When it comes to eating complications be sure to look for tongue and lip ties. They are
more common than you think and can have a significant impact. For some children a
tongue tie actually "ties" the whole body and can mimic sensory problems. Clipping the
ties and doing craniosacral therapy, chiropractic work or osteopathic manipulation help
release the whole body and allow your child to relax.
The last eating complication I am going to touch on is oral sensory processing disorder.
My daughter has struggled with this since birth. Does your child hold food in his mouth
for long periods of time without chewing? Does she gag on certain textures? Maybe he
will only eat one kind of food?
All of these can be related to oral SPD. Working on gut health can cause a significant
improvement. So all of the tips I'll be sharing work just as well for oral SPD. You may
also want to try speech therapy as another tool for helping your child eat.
Now that you know what to look for and how to get to the root problem we're going to
get started talking about how to fix the problem and feed your child!
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Chapter 5: Feeding Infants
Birth - Six Months
The first six months of a child's life are so important. They are also so challenging.
Sleep deprivation. Fussiness. Blowout diapers. Total dependence. All the typical baby
stuff.
But for a parent of an infant with allergies or feeding issues there is a whole new level of
struggles. Maybe it's endless dirty diapers and diaper rash. Or hours upon hours of
crying from a tummy ache. Eczema, hives and overall red spots (including baby acne).
Slow weight gain. Nursing troubles. Your wee one never seems to be at peace or sleep
well.
There are two key factors here. Baby's diet and mom's diet.
First, breastfeeding is always best for baby. If you are struggling with breastfeeding find
help from La Leche League, your pediatrician or your local hospital. There are many,
many ways to help improve latch and milk supply. If you have tried everything and it still
is not working use a homemade formula made with raw goat's milk, raw cow's milk or
liver. Do your best to avoid store-bought formula, especially made with soy.
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Second, assuming you are breastfeeding, mom's diet is critical. Whatever you eat, baby
eats. So whatever bothers baby is off the table for you too. It will take trial and error to
figure out the culprits. But in time you will. And you will have a much happier baby.
The first food to remove is always dairy. Even babies without allergies often react to
dairy to some degree in the early months. Try cutting it out for a few weeks and see if
you notice any improvement.
If problems remain think about what foods you consume most often. If there are foods
you eat every day try limiting them to once every few days. If baby starts having a few
good days here and there you'll be able to easily pinpoint which food was causing
problems (whichever food you're not eating on the good days).
Stick to purely breast milk or homemade formula and keep your diet simple and free of
any foods you notice cause a reaction. This will make the infant stage much more
enjoyable and peaceful.
Six - Twelve Months
For a child with allergies or any kind of food reactions I highly recommend waiting until
at least six months to start solids. Most babies with allergies aren't able to digest food
properly before six months. Many don't even want to eat solids until nine months or later
because it causes them digestive pain. So take your time and don't worry if your little
one is slow with the solids. My two youngest with allergies did not eat much solid food
until well past nine months. Be sure to continue to breastfeed full time while introducing
solids. When you and your child are ready start with simple, soft, single ingredients
(easy to remember with three S's).
Bone broth is a great first food. It is packed with minerals and easy on the tummy. Use a
medicine dropper to give baby 1/4 tsp. of broth to start. Gradually increase as baby gets
older and shows desire. Eventually you can fill a cup with broth for your child to drink in
addition to breast milk.
When giving bone broth to babies with allergies it can be helpful to use broth that has
only been cooked for a few hours. The shorter the cook time the less histamine the
broth contains. Also, the broth does not need to include tons of herbs and vegetables.
Keep it simple with just meat, bones, water and salt. Be sure to rotate through multiple
varieties of broth, such as beef, chicken, duck, turkey and pork.
It is best to avoid grains for the first year to allow the digestive system time to mature. If
you feel like your child is not getting full or needs more starch try potatoes, cassava,
tapioca or white rice. It is important for babies to get enough carbohydrates in their diet.
So don't hesitate to add some of these.
Use caution when it comes to gassy vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels
sprouts and cabbage. Each child is different. Some may tolerate them. Some may not.
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Or you might have a child like mine that can eat these foods just fine on her own but
gets gassy from my milk if I eat them!
Whether your child has allergies or not implementing a rotation diet is a good strategy.
This means only eating a food every four days. So if you serve carrots on Monday you
wouldn't serve them again until at least Friday. This is a great way to avoid adding new
allergies. It also makes it very easy to pinpoint problem foods. I will discuss this in more
detail in chapter 9.
Focusing on gut health and healing is very important at this stage. Even babies can be
given probiotics. Broth and grass-fed collagen (a form of gelatin that does not gel and
can easily be mixed into liquids) or gelatin should be dietary staples as well. See
chapter 3 and the resources page for more details.
Other gut healing strategies include fermented foods (i.e. kefir, yogurt, sauerkraut) and
making sure all foods are well cooked and easy to digest. Making vegetables cooked in
broth a staple of the diet is a great idea.
It can also be helpful to avoid the most common allergens from the start. Around age
one try introducing them one at a time and watch for reactions.
Reaction Remedies
What do you do if your infant does have a reaction? There are two simple and safe
treatments.
First, both mom and baby can take activated charcoal. You can purchase capsules at
any health food store or from Amazon or Vitacost. Mom can take a whole pill with a full
glass of water (preferably without food, but as soon as there has been a reaction is
best). For baby open a capsule and mix a small amount with water, food or breast milk.
This will help neutralize the stomach and absorb anything harmful.
The second remedy is an Epsom bath. This will relax the child and help the body detox.
Simply mix 1/4 cup Epsom salt in a warm tub of water and let your baby soak for about
ten minutes (always supervised of course). The Epsom salts will be absorbed through
the skin to restore magnesium levels and remove toxins.
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Taking Care of Mom
Nurturing an infant is hard work! Trying to do so when your baby is not feeling well is
even harder. It can be so exhausting for mom (and dad too!). Make sure that mom gets
the proper care during this time.
First and foremost is rest. I know it is so much easier said than done (and I am so bad
at this myself) but getting extra sleep whenever possible is a must. If this is your first
child take naps whenever baby naps. If you have other children try to get them to nap at
the same time as the baby or create a quiet time in a safe environment near you where
you can rest. Sleep deprivation only makes things harder.
Second is nourishment. Make sure mom's diet is as nutrient dense as possible. Your
mind and body will function so much better if your diet is filled with nutrients. Don't forget
to balance the protein, fat and vegetables with plenty of starch. This will give you the
energy you need to take care of kids and produce enough milk. I'll give more details on
this in chapter 8.
I also want to mention that during this first year of your child's life is NOT the time to
worry about weight, diet and exercise. Instead focus on rest and nourishment. Calorie
restriction is not what you need while breastfeeding. Listen to your body. Eat when you
are hungry. Rest when you are tired.
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Another part of mom's care is getting help. If you need help, ask! Older moms have
been through this season of life and understand the demands. Reach out and ask for
help. Most people will willingly offer a hand. Whether it be holding the baby so you can
shower, watching older kids so you can bond with baby or simply cleaning up the house
or making a meal. Every little bit helps.
One final part of taking care of mom is supplements. I don't think I've ever met a mom
that isn't deficient in something. And sadly diet does not usually fill in all the gaps these
days. I am not a fan of blindly taking supplements and guessing what you need. You
end up wasting money and possibly causing more harm than good.
I strongly encourage you to do hair tissue mineral analysis. All you need is a hair
sample. You'll get detailed information about your body's needs and what's lacking. Plus
you get advice on what supplements to take and how to take them so you can replenish
what has been lost through pregnancy and breastfeeding. It will benefit both mom and
baby!
I did HTMA when my youngest was about nine months old. I was so surprised to see I
had such a high calcium level and such a low vitamin A level. To turn that around I had
to cut out any supplemental vitamin D, including cod liver oil. What I thought was so
good was actually making things worse!
Don't play a guessing game. Make mom's health a priority.
Sleep
I've talked about the importance of sleep for mom. But don't forget about your child!
Whether you have a newborn, a toddler or even a teen sleep is of the utmost
importance. Sleep is when reparation happens. While your child is awake there is stress
on the body and hard work. But during sleep the body can rest and repair. Healing
cannot happen without quality sleep. So make it a priority to have regular bed times and
nap times. Most young children need at least twelve hours of sleep a night. Sometimes
more is required if their body has a lot of healing to do.
Vaccines
One final word of caution when it comes to vaccines. I do believe vaccines are
beneficial to many. But for a child that is predisposed to allergies they can be extremely
dangerous. Use caution when vaccinating your infant.
I encourage you to research and consider a delayed schedule and spacing out the
vaccines so you can watch for any adverse reactions. Also, if your child is showing
signs of allergic reactions such as eczema, hives and swelling before receiving any
vaccines you may want to wait until your child is older (or decline them all together).
Give your baby's body time to mature and heal before vaccinating.
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Chapter 6: Feeding Toddlers
Perhaps the most pivotal stage of feeding a child is toddlerhood. Tastes and
preferences are forming. They can make choices. Allergies and other feeding
challenges may be increasing. At the same time this is the perfect age to develop a
broad palette for nourishing foods and explore all sorts of tastes and textures.
Toddlerhood is the time to make or break your child's eating habits. It is also the time for
focused healing for those with allergies. Don't worry. It doesn't have to be complicated
or stressful! It should be fun and exciting while also being intentional and nourishing. I
am going to break it down for you and give you some strategies for getting kids to eat
even if it seems like they won't eat anything or only want to eat crackers for every meal.
I want to stress again that food rotation is so important for a child with allergies. It is
great for everyone else too for variety and a broad range of vitamins and minerals. It is
tempting to keep feeding your child a food every day if you find something healthy they
love. But don't. Otherwise they will soon be allergic to it and you'll have to take it away
for a long time. Foods should be rotated every four days to prevent reactions.
I have made this mistake FAR too many times with my own kids. Especially as more
allergies develop and it seems like there is nothing left. You try really hard to be strict
about avoiding one food but soon develop an allergy to the replacement. Try your best.
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Make a list of all of the foods your child tolerates and make a four day rotation. Then
stick to it!
The First Step - Getting Your Child to Eat Anything
Now for the part you've been waiting for! My tried and true tricks for getting any child to
eat. I have used these to get my toddler from a point of literally eating one or two bites
of food a day to eating three full meals and snacks. They work just as well for my four
year old when he is having an allergy flair.
Start with nutrient dense liquids. This was the turning point for my daughter. From about
nine months old (during her second round of reactions) to fourteen months old she
hardly ate any solid food. When I was at the point of either something changing or
taking her to the doctor I finally tried giving her smoothies. It was a life changer.
By smoothie I mean any concoction you can mix in a blender with some nutrients your
child will drink. My daughter has such an extensive list of allergies that I never bothered
with smoothies. I didn't have anything to put in them I thought. No yogurt, milk, milk
substitutes, nuts, eggs, avocados, bananas. Hardly even any fruit. Nothing. But I had to
try. I started with squash, liver, olive oil, gelatin, probiotics, water and maple syrup. It
sounds pretty gross. But my daughter slurped it down and it was the most solid food
and nourishment she had had in months.
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A smoothie goes down easily and is gentle on the tummy because it is pureed. Plus you
can pack all sorts of good stuff into a smoothie, including activated charcoal to help
settle your child's stomach and stop the reaction.
Smoothies are great for kids with oral aversions as well. There is no chewing involved.
Make the smoothie the thickness your child prefers. When my oldest was little she only
liked really thin liquids. As she got older she could tolerate thicker drinks and pureed
soups.
Young children are very good at listening to their bodies. So after a food reaction they
will naturally be hesitant to eat for fear of more pain or an upset stomach. So even a
very basic smoothie with just a few ingredients can be helpful. It gets the digestive
juices flowing and stimulates appetite after a reaction. As the appetite increases the
density of the smoothie can increase as well.
It is perfectly fine to stick to just smoothies for a few days or even weeks if that is what
your child needs. Just be sure to make different varieties and add essential nutrients. I'll
share my go-to list of add-ins in chapter 8.
A smoothie is not the only option for getting the digestive juices flowing. Pureed soups
and vegetables or soaked porridges work well for younger children. You can "force"
down a few bites, helping your child realize it is ok to eat. Yes, sometimes you have to
just push the spoon into their mouth to get them past the fear of eating. But they will
realize quickly the food tastes good and is safe.
Sometimes the "anything is better than nothing" motto holds true too. If your child
refuses to eat after a reaction be a little lenient with the nutrition component and let
them eat whatever sounds good within the limits of their safe foods.
For example, my youngest loves tortilla chips. I try not to give them to her that often. But
sometimes when she's had a bad day and is scared to eat I let her eat a few chips to
get her back on track. She tolerates corn. And I stick to organic blue corn chips. The
starch helps settle her stomach and stimulates her appetite. It also helps get her
metabolism back on track. Once her appetite is back I offer lots of pastured meats,
vegetables and healthy fats to balance her diet.
For some kids it may be a homemade cookie or fresh fruit. Others may respond well to
soaked porridge or oatmeal. Whatever goes down easily and willingly is the first place to
start. From there go for the nutrient dense foods.
This took a long time for me to figure out. I wanted to give my daughter so much
nutritious food. But she wouldn't eat anything. I wasn't sure what to do. Once I let go of
the idea that every bite she took had to be the absolute best nutrient dense food I
realized it was more important to just get her eating. Then I could work on the rest.
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Also note that a grazing style of eating often works best at this stage. It is easier on the
tummy to just eat a few bites every so often instead of a full meal at one sitting. I feel
like I feed my toddler all day long. But that is what her tummy needs right now. So even
though she is only eating a few bites at a time, by the end of the day she has consumed
a normal amount of food.
Leave a bowl of food in your child's reach and let them pick from it whenever they like.
Also offer food regularly. They have to re-learn how to listen to hunger cues. With an
inflamed gut they will not instinctively seek out food or be that hungry. Keep offering.
This whole process of getting your child to start eating again can also be used after
illness like the flu or a stomach virus.
Time to Experiment
Once the refusal to eat has been dealt with it's time to start experimenting! Toddlers
love anything new and exciting. So forget the notion of "kids' food" and let your child try
a wide variety of cuisines.
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It is also important to continue with the gut-healing strategies I mentioned in chapter 3.
This will help keep inflammation down and increase your child's appetite and ability to
eat. The better he feels, the more he will eat! So keep giving broth, probiotics and plenty
of well cooked soft vegetables. Start with the base diet you have established of foods
that don't cause reactions. Rotate through them. Give your child a little time with a calm
stomach and a good appetite (a few weeks or even months).
Start introducing new foods one at a time, just like you would any child starting to eat
more solids. This does not include foods that you know cause a reaction. A small
amount of a new food should be given for breakfast. Then you can observe your child
throughout the day for reactions. Avoid giving anything new in the evening. Wait a few
days before trying it again to really observe.
My daughter is so excited whenever she gets a new food. She loves variety (which she
has very little of!). But if your child is hesitant a new cup, spoon, plate or straw can go a
long way. While your child may not be excited about a mystery drink she may be willing
to give it a try if the cup has a brightly colored twisty straw.
Remember, your child may have a fear of eating due to past reactions. I find that simply
getting your child to take a taste is the hardest part. Once they get the taste they realize
it is both delicious and safe.
Don't be afraid to try a wide variety of foods. Experiment to see what your child likes.
You might be surprised. My toddler could care less about a graham cracker, but she
loves salad, raw cucumbers and roasted cauliflower! Some kids like crunchy. Others
like soft. Try it all.
A note for breastfeeding moms. When giving your toddler a new food do not try it
yourself. If the new food does cause a reaction your milk will still be safe. If the new
food is tolerated well then you can add it to your diet too.
Another strategy for getting your toddler to try something new is to share your food.
Sometimes my daughter won't touch a bite of her own food and acts like she isn't
hungry. But then if I put her on my lap she starts to gobble my food!
Some children do better if they are not in a high chair to eat. They may associate the
chair with bad experiences. Experiment and see what eating environment works best for
both your child and your family.
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Most of the time my daughter will sit in her high chair to eat. Especially if I am reading
books to her. But some days she is much happier wandering around and periodically
coming back to me for a bite. Other times she wants to sit on my lap. And sometimes for
lunch I eat while sitting on the floor to play with her. I offer her bites periodically while
she is distracted with toys.
Remember, at this stage it is about getting your child to eat without stress or fear. I
promise, they will be able to sit in a chair to eat as they get older. It is also perfectly fine
to avoid certain textures and spices if they bother your child. Oral aversions will improve
as the gut heals and the diet is expanded. Be patient during this time of healing and
focusing on getting enough calories and nourishment each day.
It all boils down to this:
 Keep implementing the gut healing strategies.

 Start with a settled stomach.
 Introduce soft and palatable foods to stimulate appetite (such as smoothies,
vegetable purees and porridges).
 Gradually add new foods while eating a rotation diet.
Getting your child to eat willingly and without anxiety is key during the toddler phase.
Then sit back and watch your child turn into a great eater!
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If a new food does cause a non-severe reaction give your toddler some activated
charcoal mixed with water and go back to your baseline diet to help things settle. Start
back up with the smoothies and purees and get back to regular eating again. This
process gets easier and shorter over time as the gut heals and the reactions become
milder.
One final note on metabolic health. Lack of eating can cause a significant lowering of
metabolism. To assess your child's health check their body temperature. Ideally it
should be 97.4 degrees F or higher. Above 98 degrees F is better. If not it is an indicator
of a slow metabolism and stress on the body. Try to feed your child plenty of starch, salt
and saturated fat to increase metabolism.
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Chapter 7: Feeding Children
Once you get past the toddler phase some of the eating challenges go away simply
because your child is able to tell you how he feels and if something bothers him. That is
a big help.
If your child was just diagnosed with allergies or you are just starting to see signs of
picky eating and refusal to eat you can follow the suggestions in the chapter on
toddlers. They apply to any age. The first step is gut healing and stopping the reactions.
Then work on getting calorie intake back up to normal. Be sure to rotate foods and
avoid eating the same things day after day to put an end to developing new allergies.
There are also new strategies to implement as your child gets older that will make meal
times more enjoyable and less of a battle.
Once your child is willingly eating some food it's time to expand her diet. Start by letting
her help plan meals, shop and prepare the food. Even children as young as three and
four years old can participate in all of these.
Stir fry can be a meal time battle or it can be an exciting adventure if your child chops all
of the vegetables, makes the sauce and measures the rice.
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A favorite for my kids (and myself!) is soup and muffins. They choose what kind of soup
and help with the vegetable chopping. Then we get to bake together (which they love). It
is a win-win. My kids get a bowl full of nourishing broth, and I can add lots of healthy fat
to their muffins with a big pile of butter or coconut oil. Plus my kids are so proud of their
hard work and eat dinner without complaints.
Another way to add fun to meals is by coming up with themes or trying new recipes
together. We have breakfast for dinner every Friday. It is a family favorite, and I often let
the kids pick what we have. It is rare to not see empty plates after dinner on Friday
night! You could try a new cuisine every night of the week. Whatever makes meal time
fun for your kids will help prevent picky eating and frustration.
It is very important to set a good example for your children. You can't serve them liver
pate and expect them to be happy about it if you are eating spaghetti and meatballs
right next to them. Eat as a family with everyone enjoying nutrient dense homemade
food.
I know it is not always possible for everyone in the family to eat the exact same food
depending on allergies. In fact, it is a very rare treat in my house when I can cook one
meal for all five of us. But I try my best to make a safe version of the same food for
everyone. It does require more work. But it is worth it.
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The end goal is for the whole family to work on health and healing together. That
requires participation from mom and dad too.
One of the best things you can do for your children is teach them about health and
nutrition at a young age. Tell them why you cook from scratch, the health benefits of
their food and the importance of nourishing their bodies. Even young children can
understand what vitamins and minerals do for our bodies and the consequences of
unhealthy choices. Then as they get older they can make wise decisions of their own.
The ground work is set for a much healthier life as an adult.
Keep in mind that true picky eating is not due to a strong will or defiance. It is caused by
an inflamed gut. Don't make eating a battle. Gently help your child get back to feeling
good and enjoying food. Nourish their minds and bodies. Let them help in the kitchen.
And teach them about healthy food.
Go back to the basics when an allergy flair arises. Then get right back on track with a
wide variety of nutrient dense food eaten rotationally.
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Chapter 8: Health Tips for The Whole Family
Whether you have one child with feeding challenges or a unique problem for each child,
it is important for the whole family to be involved in the healing process. Everyone will
benefit from switching to a real food diet and focusing on nourishment. I've got a few
simple tips to help keep everyone in the family healthy.
Stick to the same meals for the whole family as much as possible. This goes a long way
for older kids to not feel left out. That may mean making two kinds of noodles for
spaghetti or a few different versions of pizza. But a little extra work is a small price to
pay in allowing your child to feel like she fits in with the family and isn't missing out.
As I mentioned before HTMA is a great tool for assessing individual health and
supplemental needs. It is beneficial to have every family member tested. Then you can
tailor your cooking and nutritional goals for the whole family.
Due to many factors most people are lacking in key nutrients or have imbalances in
some way. That is where supplements come in handy. This is especially true for those
on a medically necessary restricted diet.
First, work with a nutritional therapist/do HTMA to find out what each family member
needs. Then choose high quality supplements to fill in the gaps.
35
I realize that testing and supplements can be a financial burden. So whether or not you
have gotten a health assessment there are some foods and supplements that can
benefit just about everyone. The following are jam packed with vitamins, minerals and
critical nutrients. Make room in the whole family's diet for as many of these as are
tolerated. See the resource section for quality sources.
 sardines
 anchovies
 liver (raw, cooked or desiccated liver pills)
 healthy fat (butter, coconut oil, olive oil, avocado oil, lard, tallow, duck fat)
 unrefined sea salt
 vitamin c
 probiotics (rotate through a few good quality brands)
 grass-fed gelatin and collagen
 black strap molasses
 maple syrup (ideal sweetener as it is safe for babies and contains minerals)
 nettle leaf tea (avoid if your child is allergic to nettles)
 broth (rotate through a variety)
 charcoal (use as needed for allergy flairs)
 raw or lightly cooked egg yolk (if not allergic)
 plenty of carb/starch (whichever forms you tolerate - grains, seeds, roots,
bananas, beans, etc.)
Make health a family priority. Give everyone what their bodies need. And always be
looking for ways to add extra nutrients to your child's diet.
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Chapter 9: Cooking Tips
I'm not going to sugar coat it. Cooking for a family with allergies or oral issues is not
always easy. It requires time and effort. But it is time and effort well spent!
If any member of the family has allergies the first priority when it comes to feeding is
using a rotation diet. This will help prevent your child from developing new allergies and
will help you assess reactions.
Ideally foods should be rotated every four days. Specifically whole food families should
be rotated. If you don't have enough safe food to rotate families then do your best to at
least rotate individual foods. If you only have a few allergies to work around spread out
your diet as much as possible. If you have ten vegetables to choose from, you can work
them into an eight day rotation. The longer the stretch between the same food the less
likely your child will develop a reaction to that food.
Think of your diet like a hockey game. You have to rotate through the strings of players
to keep everyone at full strength. If you keep the same players in for half of the game
they'll be so worn out that they can no longer be used for the rest of the game. Rotate
food to prevent further limitations.
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Don't be afraid to experiment with new foods. Maybe you are used to only baking with
wheat flour. There are so many other flours to choose from! Look for gluten free or grain
free recipes and let the fun begin. Let your kids help pick some new vegetables at the
store. Then have fun trying them together. Just because a few foods are removed from
your normal diet does not mean you don't have options. You just have to step outside
your comfort zone a bit. You might be surprised by how much you like the new foods.
When dealing with allergies it is sometimes necessary to dig deeper into food and
supplement labels than just the listed ingredients. You may have to do your own
research to find out the sources of the ingredients. For example, my youngest does not
tolerate any roots. After taking a supplement that made her scream I had to call the
company that makes the supplement and found out the main ingredient came from
beets. I can't even assume a food is safe if sugar is an ingredient. I have to know
whether or not it is cane sugar or beet sugar. Make sure you know the real source of
your food.
It is also important to read packages for possible cross contamination. If a food was
produced in the same facility as peanuts and your child has a peanut allergy it is best to
avoid that product. Here too you may have to do your own research since companies
are not required to provide this information on food labels.
To keep things safe at home be sure to put detailed labels on all food. List allergen
information and who can/can't eat the particular food.
Since you will need to spend a little more time in the kitchen make it time well spent.
Double or triple recipes so you can stock your pantry and freezer. There are very few
foods that don't freeze well. If you make granola bars, make a triple batch and wrap
them individually. You've got an easy, homemade breakfast on hand for months. Maybe
you like eggs in the morning. Make a big batch of egg muffins and freeze them. Then
simply warm them in the morning for a quick breakfast.
Cooking large batches of meat and freezing in smaller portions is so handy for putting
together easy casseroles, soups, stir fries and salads. A crockpot or instant pot are both
great options for easy cooking. I love to put dinner in the crockpot first thing in the
morning. I can get my work done and get the kitchen cleaned up right away. Then no
matter what the rest of the day brings I know we are eating healthy and safe food.
I want to end by reminding you that kids are very capable in the kitchen. Let them help
as early and as often as possible. It requires a little extra work on your part up front. But
it will be worth the effort when they are ten and making dinner while you get other things
done. And what better way to ensure a lifetime of health and safety to a child with
allergies than to teach them how to make their own food?!
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Chapter 10: Recipes
We've gone through all of the feeding strategies. Now it's time to start cooking! I'm
sharing a small collection of recipes that are easy for kids to eat and pack a nutritional
punch. Visit the blog for more recipes http://justtakeabite.com.
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Squash or Pumpkin "Milk"
Serves: 1
Ideal for: infants or toddlers
Prep time: 2 minutes
This is the drink that literally saved my daughter's life. Her diet is so restricted that I had
no typical milk alternative options. When I was at the point where I just didn't know how
to get her to eat a thing and considered taking her to the hospital I made one last
attempt and created squash "milk." To my amazement she slurped it down. It was our
turning point.
Please note that this is not a breast milk or formula substitute. It is simply an addition to
your child's diet and an easy way to add nutrients and stimulate appetite. My daughter
was still nursing full time when I gave this to her.
Ingredients:
 1/4 cup cooked squash or pumpkin
1 tsp. - 2 Tbsp. grass-fed collagen
 1/2 cup water
 1/8 - 1/4 tsp. unrefined sea salt
 1 Tbsp. maple syrup
Optional supplemental add-ins (note these may change the flavor):

 activated charcoal
 powdered probiotic
 extra virgin olive oil
 grated raw liver or desiccated liver
 raw egg yolk (if not allergic)
 tapioca flour, arrowroot, cornstarch or potato starch (for thickness and extra
carbohydrates)
Directions:
1. Combine all of the ingredients in a blender. Blend on high until well pureed and
foamy. Adjust syrup and salt if necessary.
2. Serve in a sippy cup or a regular cup with a straw.
Notes:
1. The squash or pumpkin can be replaced with sweet potato, avocado, carrot or
banana.
2. If your child has never had collagen start with a smaller amount and increase it
each time you serve this beverage.
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Gelatin "Milk"
Serves: 1
This "milk" is perfect for a little nutrient boost. With such simple and mild ingredients it
works for just about any child. Gelatin "milk" will keep your child hydrated better than
plain water. It is also a great drink for recovering from an allergic reaction when you add
charcoal and probiotics.
Please note that this is not a breast milk or formula substitute. It is simply an addition to
your child's diet and an easy way to add nutrients.
Ingredients:
 2 Tbsp. grass-fed collagen
 1/2 cup water
Optional supplemental add-ins:

carbohydrates)
Directions:
1. Combine all of the ingredients in a blender. Blend on high until well pureed and
foamy. Adjust syrup and salt if necessary.
2. Serve in a sippy cup or a regular cup with a straw.
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Pearsauce "Cereal"
Serves: 1
Skip the traditional baby cereals that are made with hard-to-digest grains and synthetic
vitamins. Instead make your own cereal that is easy on the tummy and filled with
nutrients. Pearsauce cereal provides a combination of protein, carbohydrates and fat
that are both delicious and gentle enough for a baby.
Ingredients:
 1/2 cup pearsauce (applesauce works too)
 2 tsp. butter, coconut oil, lard or tallow
 1/8 tsp. unrefined sea salt
 1 pastured egg yolk (if tolerated)

 2 tsp. grass-fed collagen
 tapioca flour, white rice flour, arrowroot, cornstarch or potato starch (for thickness
and extra carbohydrates)
Directions:
1. Heat the pearsauce in a pan until warm (this only takes about 30 seconds).
2. Pour the pearsauce into a glass dish. Stir in the fat, salt and egg yolk until the fat
is melted and the yolk is mixed in.
3. Add the supplemental ingredients if desired.
4. Serve warm or at room temperature.
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Basic Smoothie
Serves: 1
A smoothie is a great food for kids that are struggling to eat. Pack it with nutrients. Make
it fun for them with a cool cup or straw.
Ingredients:
 1/2 cup whole milk yogurt, goat's milk yogurt, coconut yogurt or 1/2 banana or
1/2 avocado or 1/2 cup cooked pumpkin or squash
 1 - 2 Tbsp. grass-fed collagen
 1/2 cup fresh, frozen or cooked fruit (cooked fruit is easier to digest for a child
under age 2).

 extra virgin olive oil
 melted coconut oil
carbohydrates)
 cooked spinach, kale or beet greens
Directions:
1. Combine all of the ingredients in a blender.
2. Blend on high until completely mixed and pureed.
3. Serve cold.
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Nettle Leaf Tea
Serves: 1
Ideal for: all ages
Prep time: 5 minutes Cook time: 1 - 24 hours
Nettle leaf tea is a wonderful beverage for kids with allergies. It will provide essential
minerals while also reducing inflammation.
Ingredients:
 1 tsp. stinging nettle leaf
 1 - 2 cups water

 maple syrup, honey, molasses or cane sugar
 grass-fed collagen
Directions:
1. Add the salt to a mug or glass jar. Add the nettle leaf to a tea strainer or
cheesecloth in the mug/jar.
2. Add the hot water. Let steep for up to 24 hours.
3. Add any add-ins desired.
4. Serve warm or at room temperature.
44
Avocado
Serves: 1
If your child tolerates avocado this makes a very simple "baby food" or even toddler
food. It is great for when you are on the go or in a hurry. No need to cook. Simply mash
in a container with a lid and pack a spoon.
Ingredients:
 1/2 avocado
 2 tsp. extra virgin olive oil
Directions:
1. Mash the avocado in a small bowl.
2. Add the salt and oil. Mix and serve.
45
Liver Broth
Serves: 1
Two of the healthiest foods you can serve your child are bone broth and liver. Liver
broth is an easy way to serve them both at the same time. Your child will get loads of
vitamins and minerals with one drink.
Ingredients:
 1/2 cup homemade bone broth (beef or chicken work well for drinking)
 1 Tbsp. grass-fed collagen (if your broth is thin)
 1/2 capsule desiccated liver (about 1/4 tsp.)
Directions:
1. Heat the broth in a pan until just warm.
2. Add the salt, collagen and liver.
3. Pour in a sippy cup or cup with a straw. Shake or stir.
4. Serve when the broth is cooled to room temperature.
5. You can also use this broth liver combination in soups.
46
Teff Pumpkin Pie Porridge
Serves: 1
Ideal for: toddlers and older
Prep time: 5 minutes Cook time: 5 minutes
Porridge makes a great breakfast for young children. It is also a great for feeding a child
that refuses to eat. Pack the porridge with nutrients and spoon food it to get a few bites
down. This porridge is one of my toddler's favorite foods.
Ingredients:
 1/4 cup teff flour
 1/4 cup warm water
 2 tsp. lemon juice
 1/4 cup cooked, pureed pumpkin
 1 - 2 Tbsp. grass-fed collagen
 1/2 cup water
 1 - 2 Tbsp. maple syrup
 1/4 tsp. cinnamon
 1 Tbsp. fat (butter, coconut oil, lard or tallow)

Directions:
1. Combine the teff, 1/4 cup water and lemon juice. Cover and let sit 7-24 hours.
2. Pour the teff/water into a small saucepan.
3. Add the 1/2 cup water, pumpkin, collagen, salt, syrup, cinnamon and fat.
4. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly about 5 minutes. If the porridge is
getting too thick add more water.
5. Adjust the salt and syrup to taste.
6. Add supplemental ingredients if desired.
7. Serve plain, with milk, dried fruit, fresh fruit or frozen fruit.
47
Rice Porridge
Serves: 1
White rice is the only exception I make to the "no grain before one" rule. It is quite
gentle on the tummy and can be a lifesaver for a child with an upset tummy from food
reactions. Make sure you don't serve it daily and that your child isn't already reacting to
rice.
Ingredients:
 1/8 cup white rice flour
 1/2 cup water, breast milk or formula
 2 tsp. maple syrup

Directions:
1. In a small saucepan combine the rice, collagen, water/milk, salt and syrup.
2. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the porridge is thick, about 3
minutes.
3. Add more water/milk if the porridge is too dry.
4. Add supplemental ingredients if desired.
5. Allow to cool before serving.
48
Egg Yolk Custard
Serves: 1 - 2
Ideal for: all ages
This is a great, grain free treat if your child tolerates eggs. Small amounts of maple
syrup are fine for infants and even contains minerals. Pastured egg yolks are packed
with nutrients. The touch of salt and syrup give the flavor of salted caramel.
Ingredients:
 2 pastured egg yolks
Directions:
1. Place all of the ingredients in a bowl (size of a soup bowl).
2. Beat on high with a hand mixer 3-4 minutes, until the yolks thicken and turn a
lighter yellow.
3. Serve immediately.
49
Spoon of Fat
Serves: 1
It is critical to give children enough fat in their diet for vitamin absorption and proper
brain development. Even if your child won't eat much a spoon of healthy fat can go a
long way in adding calories and nutrients. A combination of lard, honey and sea salt is
my toddler's favorite.
Ingredients:
 2 tsp. room temperature lard, tallow, butter or coconut oil (whatever is tolerated)
 small pinch unrefined sea salt
Optional:
 drop of honey or maple syrup (only use honey for children over age 1)
Directions:
Put ingredients on a spoon and serve.
50
Meat and Gravy
Serves: 1
Prep time: 5 minutes Cook time: 5 minutes
When avoiding or limiting grains it can be challenging to make sure your child is
consuming enough starch. Cooking meat in gravy is a delicious way to get more
balance to the diet and fill a hungry tummy.
Ingredients:
 1/4 cup cooked meat of choice (ground beef, roast chicken, pork chops, etc.)
 1/2 cup broth of choice
 1 Tbsp. tapioca flour, arrowroot, cornstarch, white rice flour or potato starch
 1 Tbsp. fat of choice (lard, tallow, butter, coconut oil)
Directions:
1. In a small pan melt the fat over medium heat.
2. Add the flour/starch and cook for 1 minute to combine with fat.
3. Slowly add broth, stirring constantly.
4. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer.
5. Add the meat and salt and continue to simmer until thick (1-2 minutes).
6. Serve warm.
51
Roasted Vegetables
Serves: 4
Ideal for: all ages
Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 1 hour
Don't limit your young child's diet to purees and typical baby food. My toddler loves
roasted vegetables. As long as they are roasted until soft a child of any age can eat
them and learn to enjoy delicious vegetables.
This recipe is so simple. Use whatever vegetables you like and tolerate. All of my kids
go crazy for roasted Brussels sprouts, cabbage and cauliflower.
Ingredients:
 4 cups vegetables, cut into chunks (Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, broccoli,
cabbage, carrots, zucchini, sweet potatoes, beets, squash)
 1/4 cup olive oil, coconut oil, lard or tallow
 1 tsp. unrefined sea salt
Directions:
1. Heat the oven to 400 degrees F.
2. Place the vegetables on a parchment or Silpat lined large baking sheet.
3. If using coconut oil, lard or tallow melt it in a small saucepan.
4. Pour the oil on the vegetables. Mix well.
5. Add the salt.
6. Roast for 1 hour, or until vegetables are tender and starting to brown.
7. Place the vegetables in a large bowl and cover with a plate for 5 minutes (the
steam will help ensure the vegetables are tender).
8. Add extra salt if necessary. Serve warm.
52
Sloppy Joes
Serves: 5
Cook time: 20 minutes
Sloppy joes make a great dinner for the whole family. The best part is that it includes
both vegetables and broth. You can even make it without tomato if you are avoiding
nightshades or react to tomatoes.
Ingredients:
 1 Tbsp. coconut oil, lard or tallow
 1 lb. ground beef
 1/2 cup pureed squash or pumpkin
 1/2 cup ketchup
 3 Tbsp. mustard
 1/2 tsp. sea salt
 1/2 cup chicken or beef broth
Directions:
1. Heat a large skillet over medium heat with the fat.
2. Add the ground beef and cook until browned.
3. Add the squash, ketchup, mustard, salt and broth. Stir.
4. Simmer until thickened, about 5 minutes.
5. Serve on a bun, over a bed of squash or with tortilla chips.
Notes:
1. You can substitute ground turkey, pork or chicken for the beef.
2. You can make a double or triple batch and freeze some for a future meal. It
reheats very well.
3. To make this nightshade free replace the ketchup wit 1/2 cup squash and 2
Tbsp. cane sugar or honey.
53
True Blueberry Smoothie
Serves: 1
This smoothie is naturally sweet and is full of nutrients.
Ingredients:
 1/2 cup blueberries (fresh or frozen)
 1/4 cup pure blueberry juice
 1/2 cup plain whole milk yogurt or coconut milk yogurt
 2 egg yolks
 2 Tbsp. honey
 1 Tbsp. roasted beet (optional)
 2 Tbsp. elderberry syrup (optional)
Directions:
2. Blend until smooth.
3. Serve immediately or store in the refrigerator or freezer.
Notes:
1. To make this into popsicles simply pour the smoothie into popsicle molds and
freeze until solid.
2. If you serving the smoothie to a child under one year of age leave out the honey.
3. You can omit the egg yolks if you are allergic to eggs.
4. The yogurt can be left out or replaced with coconut milk yogurt or coconut milk to
make this dairy free.
54
Sunrise Smoothie
Serves: 1
My daughter named this her "morning milkshake." The bright citrus flavors are perfect
for a morning pick-me-up. Use caution when serving this to toddlers as citrus can be
hard on the tummy.
Ingredients:
 1/2 medium banana
 1 clementine (or half an orange)
 1/3 cup strawberries (fresh or frozen)
 1/2 cup yogurt (or kefir, coconut milk or coconut milk yogurt)
 1 egg yolk
 2 Tbsp. honey (or maple syrup), if desired
Directions:
2. Blend until smoothie.
3. Serve immediately or store in the refrigerator.
Notes:
1. You can add 1/2 small avocado, 1 Tbsp. melted coconut oil or 2 tsp. flax seeds
for extra fat.
2. Leave out the honey if serving this smoothie to a child under one year of age.
55
Squash and Sausage Soup
Serves: 4
Ideal for: all ages
Cook time: 25 minutes
Squash soup is my go-to meal when we need something easy on the tummy. It can be
as simple as squash, broth and salt or spruced up with herbs and sausage. This is great
even for infants just starting solids.
Ingredients:
 4 cups chicken broth (homemade)
 4 cups pureed squash
 1 tsp. unrefined sea salt (to taste)
 1/2 tsp. garlic powder (to taste)
 2 Tbsp. coconut oil or tallow (optional)
 1 cup cooked, cut up chicken or cooked sausage (optional)
 1 cup cooked white beans (optional)
 1 Tbsp. collagen (optional)
Directions:
1. In a large saucepan combine the broth, squash, salt, garlic powder, coconut oil (if
adding, see note), collagen (if adding), meat and beans.
2. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
3. When the soup reaches the desired thickness adjust the seasoning to taste.
Notes:
1. If the soup is thinner than you'd like continue to simmer until it thickens.
2. If you will be eating leftovers cold do not add coconut oil to the soup. It will
harden. You can add coconut oil to individual bowls when the warm soup is
served.
3. You can replace the beans with peas, corn or tomatoes.
4. You can also make this soup in a slow cooker. Add all of the ingredients to the
slow cooker and cook on low 3-4 hours.
56
Crockpot Sprouted Bean and Squash Chili
Serves: 6
Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 7+ hours
Chili is a great prep ahead meal that the whole family can enjoy. Use whatever meat
and vegetables your children tolerate. If your child does not tolerate beans you can
leave them out.
Ingredients:
 1/2 cup dried beans
 warm water
 2 cups chicken or beef broth
 1 lb. ground beef or chicken
 1 cup pureed squash
 1 cup diced tomatoes
 optional: 1/2 cup diced onion
 optional: 1/2 cup green peppers, diced
 optional: 1/2 cup zucchini, diced
 2 tsp. unrefined sea salt
 1 tsp. garlic powder
 1/2 tsp. chili powder
 1/4 tsp. cumin
 optional toppings: shredded cheese, avocado, plain whole milk yogurt, sour
cream
Directions:
1. The day before making the chili, place the beans in a bowl and fill it with warm
water. Let it sit 8 hours. Drain the water. Let the bowl sit in a warm area or in the
oven (turned off) with the light on for 8 hours.
2. When ready to prepare, cook the meat. Add it to the crockpot.
3. Sauté the onion, peppers and zucchini (if using). Add them to the crockpot.
4. Add the sprouted beans, broth, squash, tomatoes and seasoning.
5. Cover and cook on HIGH 6-8 hours or on LOW 8-12 hours, until beans are fully
cooked.
6. Add toppings to individual bowls if desired.
Notes:
1. This chili freezes and reheats well.
2. You can replace the squash with pumpkin.
57
Soaked Gluten Free Graham Crackers
Makes: 50
Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 8 hours
This is the one snack we always have in the cupboard. My kids love the mild sweetness
of a graham cracker. I love that they are free of anything artificial or unhealthy fats. Plus
they are great for snacks on the go. The grains are soaked for easier digestion.
Ingredients:
 1 1/2 cups "whole grain" gluten free flour(s) (amaranth, brown rice, teff, sorghum,
garbanzo bean, oat)
 1/2 cup starchy gluten free flour (tapioca, cassava, white rice, arrowroot, potato
starch)
 1/2 cup coconut oil, butter, lard or tallow, melted
 1 cup warm water
 1 Tbsp. lemon juice
 1/2 cup cane sugar
 4 Tbsp. honey
 2 Tbsp. molasses (you can skip this and add more honey or use maple syrup)
 1 tsp. baking soda
Directions:
1. Mix the flours, oil, water and lemon juice. Cover and let soak for 24 hours.
2. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
3. Add the remaining ingredients to the flour mixture. Mix until well combined.
4. Add more sugar, honey or molasses to make them sweeter if desired.
5. Spread half of the batter on each pan.
6. Bake 10 minutes.
7. Using a pizza cutter, cut into squares (if they are sticking to the pizza cutter try
again in 3-5 minutes).
8. Return to the oven for 5 minutes.
9. Remove from the oven and transfer the crackers on the parchment paper to
dehydrator trays.
10. Dry at highest heat setting until crisp, removing the parchment paper part way
through (about 6 - 8 hours).
11. Let cool. Store in an airtight container.
Notes:
These crackers freeze well.
58
Molasses Tonic
Serves: 1
Molasses tonic is a great drink for boosting mineral levels. The molasses has tons of
potassium. The other ingredients add an assortment of vitamins and minerals. Even if
your child will only drink a few sips it is still beneficial.
Ingredients:
 1 1/2 - 2 cups boiling water
 1/2 - 1 Tbsp. blackstrap molasses
 Optional supplemental add-ins:
 1 tsp. nettle leaf
 1 tsp. organic cocoa powder
 1/2 tsp. organic carob powder
 2 tsp. grade B maple syrup
 1 Tbsp. butter or coconut oil
 2-4 Tbsp. whole milk or coconut milk
Directions:
1. If using nettle leaf, use a tea strainer or cheesecloth to steep nettle leaves in 1/2
cup boiling water for 10 minutes. Remove the leaves.
2. Add the remaining boiling water and ingredients.
3. Stir to combine.
4. Allow to cool enough to drink or add ice cubes or milk.
Notes:
1. This can be served warm or cold (iced molasses tonic).
2. This can be placed in a water bottle and packed for school lunch.
59
Resources
Here are some resources you might find helpful in doing your own research on real
food, natural living, healing, allergen friendly recipes, supplements and quality
ingredients. You can visit my Resources Page for more details.
Books:
Nourishing Traditions, by Sally Fallon

The Nourishing Traditions Book Of Baby And Child, by Sally Fallon Morell
The Nourished Metabolism, by Elizabeth Walling
Real Food: What to Eat And Why, by Nina Planck
Real Food For Mother And Baby, by Nina Planck
Gut And Psychology Syndrome, by Natasha Campbell McBride
Breaking The Vicious Cycle, by Elaine Gottschall
Nourishing Broth, by Sally Fallon Morell and Kaayla T. Daniel
Nutrition And Physical Degeneration, by Weston A. Price
Websites:
Just Take A Bite

Kitchen Stewardship
Raising Generation Nourished
The Nourished Life
Kelly The Kitchen Kop
Twenty Something Allergies...And Counting Down
Mommypotamus
Weston A. Price Foundation
Articles:
How to Make Bone Broth

Rotation Diet
How To Make Liver Pills
HTMA:
Divine Health From The Inside Out

Slow Oxidizer Diet
Fast Oxidizer Diet
60
Products:
Grass-fed Collagen: Vital Proteins, Perfect Supplements

Grass-fed Gelatin: Vital Proteins
Probiotics: Megaspore Biotic, BioKult, Prescript-Assist, Garden of Life Kids
Activated Charcoal: can be purchased at Vitacost, Amazon or health food stores
Desiccated Liver: Perfect Supplements
Coconut Oil: Tropical Traditions, Nature's Way, Nutiva
Sardines: Wild Planet
Anchovies: Wild Planet
Unrefined Sea Salt: Redmond Real Salt, Celtic Sea Salt, Himalayan Pink Salt
Vitamin C: Camu Powder, Acerola Powder
Black Strap Molasses: Wholesome Sweeteners
Nettle Leaf Tea: Frontier
61
About The Author
My name is Mary. I am a wife to an amazing godly man and a
stay-at-home mom to three miracle children. I have a passion
for helping parents learn how to feed kids that have eating
challenges of some kind via my blog Just Take A Bite.
I started my Real Food journey in early 2010 after struggling

with infertility. I learned about Nourishing Traditions and
started reading everything I could find about real food and
natural living.
Over the last fifteen years I have tried just about every diet you
can think of. In the end none of them worked. I now eat what
works for my body. No diets. No rules. Just real, nourishing
food that makes me feel good. And I am teaching my children
to do the same as we work to overcome their eating struggles.
Don’t let food restrictions overwhelm you. There is plenty of good, nourishing food for
everyone. You just have to get creative sometimes. You can do it. I'm here to help.
Want to learn more or share your story? Follow me on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram
and Google+.
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Why Wont My Child Eat

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Potty training? Yikes! Food? I’ve got this!

1. Consume bone broth.

3. Watch the grains and starches.

4. Go easy on raw food and fiber.

6. Consume fermented foods.

7. Completely eliminate problem foods.

8. Use a rotation diet.

Physical reactions (digestive/skin/body):

1. A severe/anaphylactic allergic reaction such as swelling of the throat, nose or

Birth - Six Months

Six - Twelve Months

Don't play a guessing game. Make mom's health a priority.

The First Step - Getting Your Child to Eat Anything

It all boils down to this:

 Keep implementing the gut healing strategies.

Optional supplemental add-ins (note these may change the flavor):

Optional supplemental add-ins:

Optional supplemental add-ins:

Optional supplemental add-ins (note these may change the flavor):

Optional supplemental add-ins:

Optional supplemental add-ins (note these may change the flavor):

Optional supplemental add-ins (note these may change the flavor):

This smoothie is naturally sweet and is full of nutrients.

Nourishing Traditions, by Sally Fallon

Just Take A Bite

How to Make Bone Broth

Divine Health From The Inside Out

Grass-fed Collagen: Vital Proteins, Perfect Supplements

I started my Real Food journey in early 2010 after struggling

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