My child is 13 months and he has food, soy and cow’s milk allergies. We need help finding healthy soy and milk alternatives. HELP!

There are many online resources for parents of children with food allergies. I recommend some of these:

• http://www.kidswithfoodallergies.org/
  • http://www.kidswithfoodallergies.org/page/milk-allergy.aspx
  • http://www.kidswithfoodallergies.org/page/soy-allergy.aspx
• https://www.foodallergy.org/

As a substitute for cow’s milk and soy milk you can try fortified rice milk, almond milk, cashew milk and coconut milk. There are many milk and soy-free foods in grocery stores today like sour cream, cheese, cool whip, yogurt and dressing made from coconut milk, tapioca starch and other ingredients. For example, daiya brand is readily available with a large variety of cow’s milk-free and soy-free products.

Learning what ingredients to avoid and identify on food labels is also very important. Kidswithfoodallergies.org has pocket-sized cards you can print and carry as reference and a dietitian can work with you and your child to identify safe, nutritious foods your child will enjoy.